suspect

Suspect is a person thought to be involved in a crime or wrongdoing, or whose guilt has not yet been established. In criminal investigations, a suspect is someone authorities reasonably believe may be responsible for an offense, based on available evidence or circumstances. The term does not imply guilt and may be used alongside other designations such as person of interest or named defendant as an investigation progresses.

Etymology and usage: Suspect derives from Latin suspectus, from suspicere “to mistrust, to look at with doubt,” passing into Old French and then English. As a verb, suspect means to think that something is true or likely, or to have doubts about it. As a noun, it refers specifically to a person who is under consideration as possibly responsible for a crime.

Legal context: In many jurisdictions, standards govern how a suspect is treated. Reasonable suspicion can justify limited police actions such as stops or detentions, while probable cause is required for arrest or for certain searches. Once charges are filed, a suspect may become a defendant in court. Throughout this process, the presumption of innocence applies, and the label “suspect” acknowledges suspicion without proving guilt.

Usage notes: In media and official statements, naming someone as a suspect can carry ethical and legal implications, so careful language is common. In general language, suspect also means questionable or dubious, as in “suspect motives” or “suspect activity.” The plural form is suspects.

See also: suspicion, suspected, person of interest, defendant.