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

conclusion reached through a logical progression of steps. defense

evidence

material that will prove innocence or guilt.

eyewitness

someone who actually observes a crime and/or criminal. felony

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.