detective

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noun

A person whose work is investigating crimes or obtaining hidden evidence or information: investigator, sleuth. Informal eye. Slang dick, gumshoe. See investigate.

This entry contains information applicable to United States law only.

Individuals whose business it is to observe and provide information about alleged criminals or to discover matters of secrecy for the protection of the public.

Private detectives are those who are hired by individuals for private protection or to obtain information. A private detective is licensed but is not ordinarily considered to be a public officer. In cases where private detectives perform the duties and exercise the powers of public officers, the constitutional provisions governing such officers can be applied to them.

Public detectives are employed by the general community for the protection of society and, as members of public law enforcement agencies and police departments, are considered peace officers.

The incorporation of private detective companies or associations may be subject to statutory requirements. Detectives are regulated by legislation as well as the rules of the municipality where they are employed. In the absence of contrary statutory provision, private detectives do not have the same powers as public peace officers.

A private detective can be held liable for rough shadowing — the open and public surveillance of an individual done in an unreasonable manner that constitutes an invasion of privacy.

sign description: A D-handshape is done on the chest.

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For a list of words related to detective, see:

• Occupations and Job Titles
• Police Procedures and Detection - detective: police officer or private individual skilled at acquiring information about crimes and tracking down suspected criminals; dick; hawkshaw; shamus

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - detektiv, opdager
adj. - detektiv-, opdagelses-

Nederlands (Dutch)
detective, rechercheur

Français (French)
n. - détective, détective privé, policier (en civil)
adj. - de police, de détection, principal (inspecteur de police)

Deutsch (German)
n. - Kriminalbeamter, Detektiv
adj. - Detektiv..., Kriminal...

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - αστυνομικός της δίωξης (εγκλήματος), ντετέκτιβ, μυστικός αστυνομικός

Italiano (Italian)
agente investigativo, investigatore privato

Português (Portuguese)
n. - detetive (m)

Русский (Russian)
следователь, частный детектив

Español (Spanish)
n. - inspector, detective, investigador
adj. - para detectar, de detectives

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - detektiv, upptäckande

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
侦探, 侦探的

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 偵探
adj. - 偵探的

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 형사
adj. - 탐정의, 검출용도의

日本語 (Japanese)
adj. - 探偵の, 検出用の
n. - 探偵

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) شخص وبخاصه شرطي وظيفته التحقيق وكشف الجرائم, شرطي تحري‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮בלש‬
adj. - ‮חושף, מגלה‬

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