Page 1 of 116
NYC Associate Investigator EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST
RELEASED
NYC Associate Investigator Exam
EXAM COVERAGE OVERVIEW (10 Key Points)
1. Eligibility Requirements: The exam is a promotion-only civil service exam open to
permanent Investigators under DCAS jurisdiction who have completed their
probationary period . Eligibility must be verified by the candidate's agency personnel
office .
2. Application & Fees: The application fee is $68, payable online through the DCAS Online
Application System (OASys) at nyc.gov/examsforjobs. Payment via credit/debit card
incurs a 2.00% service fee. The fee is nonrefundable .
3. Test Format: The exam is a computer-based multiple-choice test with a passing score of
70%. The multiple-choice score constitutes 85% of the final score, with seniority
accounting for the remaining 15% .
4. Score Calculation: The seniority score is 70 plus 1/2 point for each three months of
permanent service, up to a maximum of 15 years. Time served prior to a break in service
of more than one year will not be credited .
5. Job Responsibilities: Associate Investigators conduct professional investigations,
supervise subordinate staff, review case records, make recommendations, testify at
hearings, prepare reports, and may supervise units. They operate with independent
initiative and judgment .
6. Core Knowledge Areas: The exam tests principles and techniques of investigation,
identifying/evaluating problems, organizing/planning/scheduling activities,
comprehension and preparation of written materials, dealing effectively with the public,
and standards of proper employee ethical conduct .
7. Tested Abilities: The exam evaluates Analytical Thinking, Attention to Detail, Conflict
Resolution, Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning, Information Ordering, Integrity,
Judgment and Decision-Making, and Written Expression .
8. Education & Experience Requirements: Candidates must have either a high school
diploma + 5 years of investigative experience, a baccalaureate degree + 2 years
experience, or a satisfactory equivalent . Education and experience must be documented
through the Education and Experience Exam (EEE).
9. Drug Screening: Candidates must pass a drug screening to be appointed to the position .
10. Salary: The current minimum salary is $59,359 per annum. There are two assignment
levels within this class, with promotions typically made to Assignment Level I .
, Page 2 of 116
SECTION 1: LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND CRIMINAL LAW
1. Under New York Penal Law, which of the following fact patterns most clearly establishes
the offense of grand larceny in the fourth degree, as opposed to petit larceny?
A) An employee steals $900 in cash from a company safe over a period of six months, intending
to repay it later.
B) A contractor submits an invoice for $1,200 for work not performed, and the client pays the
full amount.
C) A person shoplifts merchandise valued at $1,500 from a department store, but is arrested
before leaving the premises.
D) A bank teller takes $300 from a customer's account to cover a personal debt, planning to
replace it before detection.
Answer: B) A contractor submits an invoice for $1,200 for work not performed, and the client
pays the full amount.
Rationale: Grand larceny in the fourth degree under NY Penal Law §155.30 occurs when the
value of the property exceeds $1,000. Option B involves a fraudulent invoice for $1,200, which
exceeds the threshold. Option A is petit larceny because the total stolen over time is $900,
below $1,000. Option D is petit larceny due to the $300 amount. Reference: New York Penal
Law §155.30 .
, Page 3 of 116
2. In a fraud investigation, you discover that an employee has been approving vendor invoices
for a company that is owned by the employee's spouse. Which of the following best describes
the primary ethical concern and the most appropriate initial action?
A) This is a conflict of interest; you should immediately report the employee to law
enforcement.
B) This is a conflict of interest; you should document the relationship and recuse yourself from
the investigation.
C) This is a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; you should notify the SEC.
D) This is a normal business arrangement; you should continue the investigation without any
special action.
Answer: B) This is a conflict of interest; you should document the relationship and recuse
yourself from the investigation.
Rationale: Approving invoices for a spouse's company is a clear conflict of interest. The
investigator should document the relationship and recuse themselves from the investigation to
maintain objectivity. Immediate law enforcement reporting would be premature, and this does
not involve FCPA violations as stated. Reference: ACFE Fraud Examiners Manual (2026) .
3. In a fraud investigation, which of the following is a critical requirement for the admission of
electronic evidence in a New York court?
A) The evidence must be certified by a notary public.
B) The evidence must be authenticated through a witness who can testify to its genuineness.
, Page 4 of 116
C) The evidence must be stored on a government-approved server.
D) The evidence must be printed and signed by the investigator.
Answer: B) The evidence must be authenticated through a witness who can testify to its
genuineness.
Rationale: Under the Federal Rules of Evidence and New York law, electronic evidence must be
authenticated by a witness who can attest to its accuracy and integrity. Notarization,
government server storage, and printing are not legal requirements for
admissibility. Reference: Federal Rules of Evidence 901; NY CPLR 4518 .
4. You obtain bank records without a subpoena because the manager is a friend. What
principle does this violate?
A) The hearsay rule
B) Chain of custody and lawful access
C) The best evidence rule
D) Double jeopardy
Answer: B) Chain of custody and lawful access
Rationale: Using personal friendship to bypass legal process breaks chain of custody and may
render evidence inadmissible. Investigators must obtain records through proper legal channels
such as subpoenas or court orders .
5. Under New York law, which document authorizes an investigator to collect sworn
testimony?
NYC Associate Investigator EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST
RELEASED
NYC Associate Investigator Exam
EXAM COVERAGE OVERVIEW (10 Key Points)
1. Eligibility Requirements: The exam is a promotion-only civil service exam open to
permanent Investigators under DCAS jurisdiction who have completed their
probationary period . Eligibility must be verified by the candidate's agency personnel
office .
2. Application & Fees: The application fee is $68, payable online through the DCAS Online
Application System (OASys) at nyc.gov/examsforjobs. Payment via credit/debit card
incurs a 2.00% service fee. The fee is nonrefundable .
3. Test Format: The exam is a computer-based multiple-choice test with a passing score of
70%. The multiple-choice score constitutes 85% of the final score, with seniority
accounting for the remaining 15% .
4. Score Calculation: The seniority score is 70 plus 1/2 point for each three months of
permanent service, up to a maximum of 15 years. Time served prior to a break in service
of more than one year will not be credited .
5. Job Responsibilities: Associate Investigators conduct professional investigations,
supervise subordinate staff, review case records, make recommendations, testify at
hearings, prepare reports, and may supervise units. They operate with independent
initiative and judgment .
6. Core Knowledge Areas: The exam tests principles and techniques of investigation,
identifying/evaluating problems, organizing/planning/scheduling activities,
comprehension and preparation of written materials, dealing effectively with the public,
and standards of proper employee ethical conduct .
7. Tested Abilities: The exam evaluates Analytical Thinking, Attention to Detail, Conflict
Resolution, Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning, Information Ordering, Integrity,
Judgment and Decision-Making, and Written Expression .
8. Education & Experience Requirements: Candidates must have either a high school
diploma + 5 years of investigative experience, a baccalaureate degree + 2 years
experience, or a satisfactory equivalent . Education and experience must be documented
through the Education and Experience Exam (EEE).
9. Drug Screening: Candidates must pass a drug screening to be appointed to the position .
10. Salary: The current minimum salary is $59,359 per annum. There are two assignment
levels within this class, with promotions typically made to Assignment Level I .
, Page 2 of 116
SECTION 1: LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND CRIMINAL LAW
1. Under New York Penal Law, which of the following fact patterns most clearly establishes
the offense of grand larceny in the fourth degree, as opposed to petit larceny?
A) An employee steals $900 in cash from a company safe over a period of six months, intending
to repay it later.
B) A contractor submits an invoice for $1,200 for work not performed, and the client pays the
full amount.
C) A person shoplifts merchandise valued at $1,500 from a department store, but is arrested
before leaving the premises.
D) A bank teller takes $300 from a customer's account to cover a personal debt, planning to
replace it before detection.
Answer: B) A contractor submits an invoice for $1,200 for work not performed, and the client
pays the full amount.
Rationale: Grand larceny in the fourth degree under NY Penal Law §155.30 occurs when the
value of the property exceeds $1,000. Option B involves a fraudulent invoice for $1,200, which
exceeds the threshold. Option A is petit larceny because the total stolen over time is $900,
below $1,000. Option D is petit larceny due to the $300 amount. Reference: New York Penal
Law §155.30 .
, Page 3 of 116
2. In a fraud investigation, you discover that an employee has been approving vendor invoices
for a company that is owned by the employee's spouse. Which of the following best describes
the primary ethical concern and the most appropriate initial action?
A) This is a conflict of interest; you should immediately report the employee to law
enforcement.
B) This is a conflict of interest; you should document the relationship and recuse yourself from
the investigation.
C) This is a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; you should notify the SEC.
D) This is a normal business arrangement; you should continue the investigation without any
special action.
Answer: B) This is a conflict of interest; you should document the relationship and recuse
yourself from the investigation.
Rationale: Approving invoices for a spouse's company is a clear conflict of interest. The
investigator should document the relationship and recuse themselves from the investigation to
maintain objectivity. Immediate law enforcement reporting would be premature, and this does
not involve FCPA violations as stated. Reference: ACFE Fraud Examiners Manual (2026) .
3. In a fraud investigation, which of the following is a critical requirement for the admission of
electronic evidence in a New York court?
A) The evidence must be certified by a notary public.
B) The evidence must be authenticated through a witness who can testify to its genuineness.
, Page 4 of 116
C) The evidence must be stored on a government-approved server.
D) The evidence must be printed and signed by the investigator.
Answer: B) The evidence must be authenticated through a witness who can testify to its
genuineness.
Rationale: Under the Federal Rules of Evidence and New York law, electronic evidence must be
authenticated by a witness who can attest to its accuracy and integrity. Notarization,
government server storage, and printing are not legal requirements for
admissibility. Reference: Federal Rules of Evidence 901; NY CPLR 4518 .
4. You obtain bank records without a subpoena because the manager is a friend. What
principle does this violate?
A) The hearsay rule
B) Chain of custody and lawful access
C) The best evidence rule
D) Double jeopardy
Answer: B) Chain of custody and lawful access
Rationale: Using personal friendship to bypass legal process breaks chain of custody and may
render evidence inadmissible. Investigators must obtain records through proper legal channels
such as subpoenas or court orders .
5. Under New York law, which document authorizes an investigator to collect sworn
testimony?
