If you’re a fan of shows like Law & Order, SVU, or Criminal Minds, chances are you’ve heard many of these criminal justice terms tossed around. While this list isn’t exhaustive, it highlights some of the more commonly used terminology and slang in the world of crime and investigation. Keep in mind, the exact words can vary widely depending on where you are as each country, and sometimes even different regions bring their own unique flavour to the language of law enforcement.
| Term | Slang (Variants) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Accomplice | Wheelman, Partner-in-Crime, Sidekick | A person who assists in a crime, often driving the getaway vehicle. |
| Affidavit | Sworn Paper, Legal Sheet, Statement | A written statement confirmed by oath for use as evidence in court. |
| Alibi | Cover Story, Get-Out Card, Excuse | A claim or evidence that one was elsewhere when a crime took place. |
| Arraignment | First Appearance, Court Date, Reading the Charges | The formal reading of a criminal charging document in the presence of the defendant. |
| Arson | Torch Job, Firebug Case, Blaze Work | The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property. |
| Assault | Beatdown, Smackdown, Throwing Hands, Bashing (AUS) | A physical attack or a threat of attack. |
| Autopsy | Post, PM (Postmortem), Slice Job, Body Exam | A postmortem examination to discover the cause of death. |
| Ballistics | Gun Science, Bullet Match, Bang Forensics | The study of the motion of bullets and their examination for legal evidence. |
| Barricade | Hard Stop, Block Out, No-Go Zone | A structure set up to obstruct passage. |
| Battery | Physical Assault, Hands-On, Slam Charge | The unlawful physical acting upon a threat, distinct from assault. |
| Informant | Snitch, Rat, Canary, Grass (UK), Dog (AUS) | A person who secretly provides information to the police. |
| Perpetrator | Perp, Offender, Creep | A person who committed the crime. |
| Unknown Subject | Unsub, John Doe, Ghost | A suspect whose identity is not yet known. |
| Undercover Officer | UC, Ghost Cop, Deep Cover | A cop who is working in disguise to investigate crime. |
| Surveillance | Tail, Watch, Shadowing | Monitoring a suspect’s movements, often covertly. |
| Interrogation | Grilling, Sweat Box, The Box | Intense or aggressive questioning of a suspect or witness. |
| Detective | Gumshoe, Dick, Flatfoot, Private Eye, PI | An investigator, often plainclothes, who solves crimes. |
| Jail | Slammer, The Can, The Clink, Lockup | A place where people are held after arrest or while awaiting trial. |
| Prison | The Joint, Big House, The Pen, Gaol (UK/AUS) | A correctional facility for long-term incarceration. |
| Police Officer | Cop, Copper (UK), The Fuzz, The Boys, Rozzer | A member of the police force. |
| Homicide | Murder, Hit, Wet Work | The unlawful killing of one person by another. |
| Autopsy | Postmortem, Cut Job, Slice and Dice | A medical exam of a body to determine cause of death. |
| Crime Scene | The Scene, The Spot, Scene of the Crime | The location where a crime took place. |
| Evidence Technician | CSI, Lab Rat, Tech | Specialist who collects and processes physical evidence. |
| Crime Scene Photos | Crime Porn, Scene Snaps, Forensic Shots | Slang for graphic crime scene imagery. |
| Forensic Analyst | Lab Rat, CSI, Evidence Geek | A forensic scientist who examines physical evidence. |
| Criminal | Crook, Thug, Baddie, Villain | A person involved in illegal activities. |
| Victim | Vic, Target, DOA (if dead), Survivor (if alive) | The person who suffered harm from the crime. |
| Search Warrant | Paper, Writ, The Green Light | Legal doc allowing police to search a location. |
| Interceptor Vehicle | Black & White, Unit, Cruiser, Ghost Car (if unmarked) | Police patrol car (often black and white in color). |
| Fingerprint Analysis | Prints, Lift Job, Latents | Examining fingerprints to identify suspects. |
| Drug Dealer | Pusher, Slanger, Plug, Supplier | Someone who sells illegal drugs. |
| Pickpocket | Dip, Lifter, Cutpurse | A thief who steals from pockets or bags. |
| Escapee | Rabbit, Runner, Jumper, Bolter (AUS) | A suspect fleeing police custody or scene. |
| Surveillance Van | Spy Van, Wagon, Ops Van | A disguised vehicle used to monitor suspects. |
| Interrogation Room | The Box, The Room, The Tank | Room used for questioning suspects. |
| Confession | Spill, Sing, Fess Up | When a suspect admits to a crime. |
| Police Informant File | Snitch Sheet | A confidential file on informants. |
| Crime Scene Cleaner | Cleaner, Trauma Tech | Person who sanitizes scenes after violent crimes. |
| Criminal Organization | The Mob, The Firm, The Syndicate | A structured crime group (e.g. Mafia, bikie gang). |
| Arrest | Pinch, Collar, Nicked | When police take someone into custody. |
| Police Station | The Nick (UK), Cop Shop, Station | The premises for local law enforcement. |
| Dead Body | Stiff, DB, Corpse | A human body found deceased. |
| Detective Division | The Squad, Major Crimes | A specialized unit handling serious offenses. |
| Armed Robbery | Stick-up, Smash-and-Grab | Robbery using a weapon. |
| Mugshot | Booking Photo, Snap, Headshot | Photo of a person taken after arrest. |
| Surveillance Footage | Cam Footage, Tape, CCTV | Video evidence from cameras. |
| Forensics | The Lab, Science Team | The application of science to legal evidence. |
| Crime Boss | Kingpin, Mr Big, Shot Caller | Leader of a criminal enterprise. |
| Witness Protection | WITSEC (US), Witness Box (UK, slang) | A program to protect key witnesses. |
| Burglar | Cat Burglar, Housebreaker | Someone who illegally enters buildings to steal. |
| Crime Report | 10-78, FIR (India), Incident Log | The written record of a crime. |
| Fingerprint Kit | Dusting Kit, Print Box | Tools used to gather prints from a scene. |
| Surveillance Officer | Watcher, Shadow, Snoop | Operative tasked with monitoring suspects. |
| Police Badge | Tin, Shield, Warrant Card | Official ID proving law enforcement status. |
| Foot Chase | Runner, Rabbit Hunt, Leg It | When officers chase a suspect on foot. |
| Interceptor Car | Ghost Car, Unmarked, Fastback | High-speed pursuit vehicle. |
| Suspect | Skel, POI (Person of Interest) | A person thought to be involved in a crime. |
| Illegal Firearm | Piece, Heater, Strap, Shooter | A gun possessed or used unlawfully. |
| Search Warrant | Paper, Writ, The Warrant | Legal document authorizing a search. |
| Police Raid | Smash In, Kick Door, Blitz | A sudden police entry/search operation. |
| Criminal Profile | Offender Sketch, Profile, Psych File | Behavioral and background summary of an unknown suspect. |
| Drug Enforcement | Narcs, Dope Squad | Police unit targeting narcotics crime. |
| Interrogation Techniques | Good Cop/Bad Cop, The Squeeze | Methods used to extract information. |
| Female Officer | WPC (UK), She-Badge, Lady Cop | A woman serving in law enforcement. |
| Handcuffs | Cuffs, Bracelets, Bangles | Restraints placed on suspects’ wrists. |
| Surveillance Drone | Eye in the Sky, UAV | Aerial monitoring device. |
| Cybercrime | Net Crime, Keyboard Crime, Hack Job | Criminal activities involving computers or networks. |
| Escape from Custody | Jailbreak, Bust Out, Do a Runner | When a suspect flees confinement. |
| Repeat Offender | Habitual, Recidivist, Frequent Flyer | Someone with a long record of crimes. |
| Criminal Lawyer | Mouthpiece, Brief, Legal Gun | Attorney representing the accused. |
| Missing Person | M.I.A., Gone, Disappeared | Someone reported absent or lost. |
| Evidence Locker | The Cage, Vault, Property Room | Secure location for storing physical evidence. |
| Police Interrogator | Interviewer, Closer, Breaker | Officer skilled at eliciting confessions. |
| Police Lineup | The Wall, ID Parade, Mug Parade | Line of people shown to a witness for ID. |
| Police Sketch | Composite, Artist Drawing | Visual depiction of a suspect. |
| Civilian Informant | CI, Tipster, Civil Source | Non-law enforcement person providing info. |
| Police Intercom | The Box, Dispatch, Radio | System used to communicate with units. |
| Domestic Violence Call | DV, Family Job, Code 415-D | Response to a household violence case. |
| Internal Affairs Unit | The Rat Squad, IA | Police division that investigates officer misconduct. |
| Stolen Vehicle | Hot Car, Boosted Ride, Nicked Motor | A vehicle taken illegally. |
| Drug Mule | Swallower, Courier, Runner | Person who transports drugs, often concealed. |
| Surveillance Photos | Snaps, Shots, Frame Jobs | Still images captured during surveillance. |
| DNA Evidence | Spit Match, Bio, Gene Print | Biological material linking a suspect to a crime. |
| Bail | Bond, Get-Out Fee, Cash to Walk | Money paid for release from jail before trial. |