misstanke

Misstanke is a legal term used in several Nordic languages, notably Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish, that translates roughly as "suspicion." It denotes a state in which authorities have grounds to think that a person may have committed a crime, but formal charges have not yet been filed. The exact interpretation and threshold of misstanke vary by country, reflecting different criminal procedures and safeguards.

In practice, misstanke marks an early stage of an investigation. The person connected to the case may be described as misstänkt (Swedish), mistænkt (Danish), or mistenkt/mistanke in Norwegian contexts, depending on the language. This status can authorize investigative steps under applicable safeguards and often precedes questioning, searches, or the gathering of evidence. If the case gains more evidence, it can progress toward formal charges or prosecution; if not, the inquiry may be closed.

The concept is distinct from the term for a proven crime or a formal conviction. It serves as a procedural designation that prompts authorities to gather information while protecting the rights of the person under suspicion, including access to legal counsel and the presumption of innocence where applicable.

In a comparative sense, misstanke corresponds to the general idea of suspicion in many legal systems, though the exact threshold for action and the legal rights it triggers differ by jurisdiction.

Etymology: The word is built from common Nordic morphemes for "not/negative" and "thought/suspicion," reflecting its role as a preliminary state in an investigation.