investigators
Those who probe
Investigators are people who examine something systematically to discover facts or information.
The term covers police detectives investigating crimes, journalists investigating corruption, and private investigators hired to gather information on individuals.
Insurance companies employ investigators to verify claims.
Federal investigators are looking into the company's finances.
Iconic Victorian-era investigator
- HolmesFictional London investigator
- PoirotFictional Belgian detective
- whodunitCrime fiction identifying perpetrator
- sleuthPrivate investigator
Marlowe · Columbo · mystery · noir · hard-boiled · procedural · Watson
Professional crime investigator
- policeCivil law enforcement
- homicideCausing another's death
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
theft · arson · robbery · assault · kidnapping · felony · misdemeanor · suspect
Facts supporting truth
- cluesHints toward answers
- deductionConclusion from premises
- hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
patterns · correlation · data · intelligence · surveillance · observation · conclusion · profiling
Informal term for detective
- P.I.Licensed civilian investigator
- stakeoutProlonged covert observation
- tailRear animal appendage
- shadowLight blocked by object
surveillance · infidelity · retainer · client · discreet · licensed · freelance
Thorough examination or tool
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
- fact-findingSeeking verified information
- auditFormal accounts examination
review · inspection · hearing · inquest · scrutiny · assessment · interview · deposition
Relating to education or theory
- scientistOne who studies nature
- scholarLearned, studious person
- epidemiologistScientist studying disease spread
- ethnographerScholar of cultures
journalist · muckraker · study · fieldwork · methodology · findings · grant · institutional
Hereditary code molecule
- fingerprintingRecording unique digit patterns
- autopsyMedical examination after death
- ballisticsProjectile motion science
- toxicologyScience of poisons
bloodstain · pathology · fibers · hair · serology · entomology · odontology · spatter
Sherlock
Iconic Victorian-era investigator
- HolmesFictional London investigator
- PoirotFictional Belgian detective
- whodunitCrime fiction identifying perpetrator
Marlowe · Columbo · sleuth · mystery · noir · hard-boiled · procedural · Watson
detective
Professional crime investigator
fraud · theft · arson · robbery · assault · kidnapping · felony · misdemeanor · suspect · witness
evidence
Facts supporting truth
- cluesHints toward answers
- deductionConclusion from premises
- hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
reasoning · patterns · correlation · data · intelligence · surveillance · observation · conclusion · profiling · interpretation
gumshoe
Informal term for detective
shadow · surveillance · infidelity · retainer · client · discreet · licensed · freelance
probe
Thorough examination or tool
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
- fact-findingSeeking verified information
audit · review · inspection · hearing · inquest · scrutiny · assessment · interview · deposition · testimony
academic
Relating to education or theory
- scientistOne who studies nature
- scholarLearned, studious person
- epidemiologistScientist studying disease spread
ethnographer · journalist · muckraker · study · fieldwork · methodology · findings · grant · institutional
DNA
Hereditary code molecule
- fingerprintingRecording unique digit patterns
- autopsyMedical examination after death
- ballisticsProjectile motion science
toxicology · bloodstain · pathology · fibers · hair · serology · entomology · odontology · spatter · reconstruction
- crime investigatorsdetectives, forensic accountants, undercover agents, surveillance teams, intelligence officers
- crimefighterscops, detectives, FBI, police, sheriffs
- Detective Worldprivate eyes, sleuths, gumshoes, detective agencies
- examinersinspectors, examiner, reviewers, inspector, auditors
- problem solverstroubleshooters, detectives, sleuths, debuggers, fixers
- crash siteswreckage, debris, emergency services, first responders, ambulance
investigatorsbystanders
People present but uninvolved
onlookers · spectators · rubberneckers · witnesses · ignorers
investigatorsconcealers
Products that mask blemishes
obstructors · obfuscators · conspirators · suppressors · whitewashers
investigatorssuspects
Thinks someone's guilty
perpetrators · culprits · defendants · wrongdoers · criminals
- private investigatorHired non-police detective
- criminal investigatorOne who probes offenses
- paranormal investigatorsResearchers of supernatural occurrences
- fraud investigatorsProfessionals who expose deception
- fire investigatorOne who determines blaze causes
- arson investigatorExpert tracing fire origins