Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

prime-suspect

noun

/praɪm ˈsʌsˌpɛkt/

Definition

The individual who is considered most likely to be responsible for a crime in a criminal investigation.

Examples

The detective identified him as the prime suspect in the robbery case.
After reviewing the evidence, the police named her as the prime suspect in the investigation.
Despite being the prime suspect, he maintained his innocence throughout the trial.

Meaning

In a legal context, the term ‘prime suspect’ refers to the person whom law enforcement agents believe has committed a crime based on the available evidence and circumstances.