Mistanke

Mistanke is a noun used in Norwegian and Danish that translates to "suspicion" in English. It denotes a belief or doubt that a person may have committed a wrongdoing or that a crime has occurred. Mistanke does not imply guilt; it simply reflects a cautious assessment that may justify further inquiry or investigation. The term is common in both everyday language and formal contexts such as journalism and law.

In everyday use, phrases such as mistanke om tyveri or med mistanke om can be heard when people refer to a suspected act or person. In legal and policing contexts, mistanke describes a threshold of belief that can lead to investigative steps or precautionary actions, though the exact standards and safeguards vary by jurisdiction. It is generally distinguished from proof or certainty and from the later stage of formal charges.

In Danish, the word and its usages are closely parallel to Norwegian, with common constructions like mistanke om followed by the alleged offense. The concept also has cognates in related Scandinavian languages and is typically translated as "suspicion" in English-language texts.

See also: Suspicion; Preliminary inquiry; Police investigation; Legal standards of proof; Reasonable suspicion.

Note: This article discusses linguistic and general legal usage of the term and does not describe a specific organization, institution, or place.