detectives
Crime scene investigators
Detectives is the plural of detective—a person who investigates crimes or gathers information.
Police detectives work within law enforcement: Homicide detectives arrived at the scene.
Private detectives work independently, often hired for surveillance or locating people.
The word also modifies: detective work, detective novel, detective agency.
Investigator abbreviation
- gumshoeInformal term for detective
- sleuthPrivate investigator
- inspectorOfficial quality checker
- investigatorOne who examines evidence
agent · operative · informant · constable · sergeant · lieutenant · plainclothes · consultant
Facts supporting truth
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
- footprintsMarks left by walking
- motiveReason for action
- alibiDefense of location
witness · testimony · trace · bloodstains · cipher · code · anomaly · discrepancy
Formal, probing examination
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- stakeoutProlonged covert observation
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- shadowingFollowing to observe
tailing · wiretap · eavesdrop · canvassing · legwork · cross-reference · debrief · reconstruct
Crime fiction identifying perpetrator
- puzzleChallenge testing ingenuity
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- thrillerSuspense-driven narrative genre
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
twist · secrets · noir · hardboiled · case · caper · procedural · Sherlock
Causing another's death
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- robberyTheft through intimidation
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
arson · kidnapping · assault · burglary · embezzlement · extortion · manslaughter · blackmail
Hereditary code molecule
- autopsyMedical examination after death
- toxicologyScience of poisons
- ballisticsProjectile motion science
- fibersThreadlike structural strands
serology · entomology · pathology · odontology · profiling · chromatography · spectrometry · lab
PI
Investigator abbreviation
investigator · agent · operative · informant · constable · sergeant · lieutenant · plainclothes · consultant · partner
evidence
Facts supporting truth
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
- footprintsMarks left by walking
- motiveReason for action
alibi · witness · testimony · trace · bloodstains · cipher · code · anomaly · discrepancy · leads
interrogation
Formal, probing examination
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- stakeoutProlonged covert observation
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
shadowing · tailing · wiretap · eavesdrop · canvassing · legwork · cross-reference · debrief · reconstruct · interview
whodunit
Crime fiction identifying perpetrator
- puzzleChallenge testing ingenuity
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- thrillerSuspense-driven narrative genre
intrigue · twist · secrets · noir · hardboiled · case · caper · procedural · Sherlock · Poirot
homicide
Causing another's death
fraud · arson · kidnapping · assault · burglary · embezzlement · extortion · manslaughter · blackmail · smuggling
DNA
Hereditary code molecule
- autopsyMedical examination after death
- toxicologyScience of poisons
- ballisticsProjectile motion science
fibers · serology · entomology · pathology · odontology · profiling · chromatography · spectrometry · lab · coroner
- criminal investigationsinvestigations, crime scene, crime scenes, crime scene investigation, crime scene analysis
- public safetypolice, 911, ambulance, fire department, firefighters
- crimefighterscops, FBI, police, sheriffs, deputies
- problem solverstroubleshooters, investigators, sleuths, debuggers, fixers
- crime investigatorsinvestigators, forensic accountants, undercover agents, surveillance teams, intelligence officers
- Historical Policingconstables, sheriffs, watchmen, night watch, bobbies
detectivespatrol officers
Police assigned to areas
beat cops · traffic cops · riot police · SWAT teams · meter maids
detectivescriminals
Lawbreakers by act
perpetrators · offenders · lawbreakers · suspects · fugitives
detectivessuspects
Thinks someone's guilty
persons of interest · defendants · targets · witnesses · informants
- private detectiveLicensed investigator for hire
- detective workSystematic inquiry into mysteries
- detective storyNarrative featuring investigation
- detective novelFiction solving a crime
- detective storiesCrime-solving fiction genre
- police detectiveOfficer investigating criminal cases