Etterforsket

Etterforsket is a Norwegian past participle meaning “investigated” or “under investigation.” It is used as an adjective or in verbal constructions to describe a matter, case, or person that has undergone formal inquiry by authorities, such as the police. In journalism and official communications, the term signals that an investigation has taken place or is ongoing.

Etymology and form: The word derives from the verb etterforske, meaning to investigate. It is formed from the prefix etter- combined with the verb forske, and the past participle ending -et marks a neuter singular form or a predicative use in Norwegian. As such, etterforsket is typically used in predicative constructions, for example in sentences like “Saken er etterforsket.”

Usage: In practice, etterforsket is common in legal, police, and news language. It often appears in phrases indicating the status of an inquiry, such as “Saken er etterforsket av politiet” (The case has been investigated by the police) or “etterforskningen pågår” (the investigation is ongoing). The term emphasizes that a formal inquiry has occurred, rather than the act of investigating itself.

Related terms: The corresponding noun is etterforskning, meaning the act or process of investigation. Related roles include etterforsker, meaning an investigator. These terms are frequently used together in crime reporting, legal documents, and formal communications.

See also: etterforskning, etterforsker.