accusation—statement that places blame on a specific person or persons.
alias—an alternate name used to conceal identity.
alibi—an explanation that removes a person from the scene of a crime when it occurred.
angle—specific strategy or way of looking at facts as employed by the detective during an investigation.
autopsy—the medical examination of a corpse to determine cause(s) of death.
booking—the process whereby a suspect is officially arrested and charged with a crime.
case—the investigation of a crime from the time it is reported/ discovered until it is resolved (closed).
charges—specific crime(s) a person is accused of.
circumstantial—indicative but not conclusive.
clue—anything that sheds light on a particular case.
collar—the actual arrest by a police officer.
corpus dilecti— (Latin for 'body of the crime") the actual body that proves a murder has been committed.
crime of passion—a crime committed in a rage of anger, hatred, revenge, etc.
culprit—the "bad guy;" criminal.
D.A.—district attorney; works for the government.
deduction—conclusion reached through a logical progression of steps. defense—the argument made to show the innocence of the accused person.
evidence—material that will prove innocence or guilt.
eyewitness—someone who actually observes a crime and/or criminal. felony—major crime (i.e., armed robbery, murder, rape).
foil—the detective's "right hand man;" he/she is usually quite different in nature. Ex: Holmes/Watson; Nero Wolfe/ Archie Goodwin.
frame-up—deliberate trap set to lay blame on an innocent person.
habeas corpus—accuser has to produce a body in order to hold a suspect.
homicide—the act of murder.
hunch—guess; instinct.
informer—someone who relays information to police/detective for money (usually).
inquest/inquiry—legal questioning concerning a particular event or action.
lead—something or someone that may help move an investigation toward a solution.
malice aforethought—criminal was already considering a hostile act before the crime occurred.
manslaughter—accidental killing.
misdemeanor—minor offense
modus operandi—method of operation (m.o.) that a criminal employs during his crimes.
morgue—city government building where dead bodies are kept during investigations.
motive—reason for committing a crime.
perpetrator—offender; criminal.
post mortem—the report from an autopsy.
premeditation—deliberate intent to perform a crime before it occurs. private eye—private detective.
prosecutor—attorney working for the District Attorney; person trying to prove guilt in a courtroom.
red herring—a false clue that usually misleads the reader (and often the detective).
set-up—a trap that is designed to catch a criminal or victim.
sleuth—detective.
statement—official document containing information supplied by witness, suspect, or any other person involved in an investigation.
stool pigeon—informer.
surveillance—constant visual or electronic monitoring of a person's activities.
suspect—someone who may have reason to have committed a specific crime.
tank—jail cell.
third degree—intensive questioning of a suspect.
victim—person who is hurt or killed as a result of a criminal act.
(Found on Google via Microsoft Docx.
Fort Hamilton High School
Mrs. Jo Ann Chester, Principal)