Police related questions for my book.

[JenJen]

I am an aspiring writer in the urban fantasy genre. I have some police investigation in the book. I was wondering what police call potential suspects in murder investigations? I have heard both unsubs and perps. Once a suspect is confirmed as the murderer, does their title change? Thanks

[pac201]

I am an aspiring writer in the urban fantasy genre. I have some police investigation in the book. I was wondering what police call potential suspects in murder investigations? I have heard both unsubs and perps. Once a suspect is confirmed as the murderer, does their title change? Thanks

this ^^

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Is RealPolice linked or referenced on some sort of writers website or forum? How did you find us?

I only ask, because you are the umpteenth "aspiring writer" to come here to ask for technical assistance that (in all honesty) will not matter one whit to any potential reader of yours.

[JenJen]

I apologize if I have wasted your time. I will answer your question so that you may understand where someone like me, an aspiring writer is coming from. I have never heard of this forum before until today. I simply searched for a site that could answer police type questions. I found this forum and noticed that many writers were asking questions and so I thought I would too. I also did not read anything in the rules stating that writers were not allowed to ask questions. I figured that since the police officers on the site were doing this at their convenience, I assumed asking a couple questions would not harm anyone. I was wrong and again I apologize. Unfortunately, I have no connection to any law enforcement and when I have questions I have to find my answers the best way I can. That usually involves the internet which is not so reliable. That was why I was so excited about finding this website. I had finally found a way to ask my questions, get accurate answers, and not actually bother police officers on the job. Once writers are published, we can usually find a cop who is willing to answer these questions for us because we are somewhat successful and can find more connections, but until then, us first time writers have to utilize what is available to us. To address your other comment. Accuracy in a book is highly important to our readers. Writers do not simply write a book from the top of their heads and move on. It requires months of research. So this is why I have come to this forum. But it is evident that I was wrong and hope I have not wasted too much of your time. I will make sure to delete my account because I would never want to inconvenience a police officer again. Thank you for bringing my error to light.

[Switchback]

Don't writers find more success in using paragraphs and proper punctuation? Just curious.

[JenJen]

I wasn't really worried about proper punctuation in my apology. I am sorry if my informal writing in a informal forum has offended you. Getting my MBA requires many hours of formal writing and revising. I tend to slack when it comes to other forms of communication because one can only be perfect for so long.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

One thing's for certain, I hate to see you REALLY overreact to something...

[Samuel]

I am an aspiring writer in the urban fantasy genre. I have some police investigation in the book. I was wondering what police call potential suspects in murder investigations?

If a person is a "potential suspect" or "possible suspect" or "person of interest" - why would we call them anything else?????????

I have heard both unsubs and perps.

I've never heard of "unsubs". I've heard "perps" before in a movie or TV show or two.

Once a suspect is confirmed as the murderer, does their title change? Thanks

Well, if something is "confirmed", then it wouldn't be SUSPECTED anymore, would it?! Btw, who does the "confirming" - the Catholic Church?

[kazz]

The accused.

=]

[retdetsgt]

Back East, people seem to call them Perps. We never use that term here, it's suspects.

[greg72982]

Back East, people seem to call them Perps. We never use that term here, it's suspects.

never heard them referred to as perps around here...We use suspects or "person of interest"

[Cat_Doc]

never heard them referred to as perps around here...We use suspects or "person of interest"

I thought you called them actors?

[retdetsgt]

I learned a new term from the NYPD guys, "Mutts". I love it! It's so descriptive......

[greg72982]

I thought you called them actors?

that too.

[patchcop]

I have heard both unsubs and perps.

No, we call them

Drecksäcke, Mörder, Killer, Man of the Year, Schlitzer, Beisser, Adam Henry, Butcher, Baker, GoGo-Girl, Hooker, R2D2, Intergalacto, C3PO, Jack the Ripper, Al Capone, Tut Ench Amun, Idi Amin, Doc soundso, and a lot more.

Look in the search function of this forum and you will find my offer for assistance to other writers. But I'm expensive!