detective fiction terms

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

the logical process of starting with general facts, rules, or premises and narrowing them down to reach a specific, certain conclusion

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, muder, rpe).

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.