suspects

interrogate

Question formally and persistently

• alibiDefense of location
• evidenceFacts supporting truth
• testimonySworn statement as evidence

witness · forensics · clues · inquiry · probe · questioning · cross-examination · deposition · corroborate · incriminate

arrest

Seize by law

• detainedHeld against one's will
• custodyProtective care or control
• bookingAdvance arrangement secured

lineup · handcuffs · precinct · badge · manhunt · APB · dragnet · roundup · informant · tip

whodunit

Crime fiction identifying perpetrator

• clueSolving aid
• red herringIntentional misleading distraction
• twistRotating motion or surprise

intrigue · Agatha Christie · detective · sleuth · noir · thriller · puzzle · enigma · secrets · plot

culprit

Person found guilty

• perpetratorOne who commits wrongdoing
• accompliceCrime's willing helper
• coconspiratorsJoint participants in conspiracy

fugitives · defendant · guilty · felon · offender · criminal · theft · robbery · assault · homicide

tension

Stretched or strained state

• anticipationState of awaiting something
• thrillerSuspense-driven narrative genre
• cliffhangerSuspenseful unresolved ending

uncertainty · foreboding · dread · apprehension · nail-biting · ominous · buildup · atmosphere · dramatic · edge-of-seat

allegation

Assertion lacking proof

• blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
• chargeCost or accusation
• incriminationSuggesting someone's guilt

indictment · implicated · finger-pointing · scapegoat · framed · presumption · innocent · guilt · defendant · accuser

questions

Requests for information

• speculatesGuesses based on incomplete information
• wondersCauses of awe
• theorizesForms explanatory conjectures

considers · assumes · presumes · surmises · guesses · conjectures · hypothesizes · infers · distrusts · disbelieves

• criminal investigationsinvestigations, crime scene, crime scenes, crime scene investigation, crime scene analysis
• sleuthingclues, detective work, evidence gathering, fingerprints, footprints
• crime investigationdetective, whodunit, investigation, detectives, investigator
• mysteryclue, detective, clues, sleuth, whodunit
• investigationinvestigation, detective, evidence, clue, case
• bookshop mysteriesamateur sleuth, rare books, murder, clues, whodunit