TCOLE Criminal Investigations Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct term for a person who has been injured or harmed by a crime is "victim." In the context of criminal investigations, the victim is central to the process, as they provide crucial information regarding the crime, including the circumstances surrounding it and any potential evidence. Understanding the role of the victim is essential for law enforcement as it helps in the pursuit of justice and the prevention of future crimes.

In contrast, a witness is someone who may have seen the crime or has information related to it but has not necessarily been harmed. A suspect is an individual believed to be involved in the commission of a crime, and a perpetrator is the person who actually commits the crime. Thus, both the witness and the suspect do not fulfill the role of one who has suffered from the consequences of a criminal act, and the focus is specifically on the individual who has been adversely affected, which is accurately represented by the term "victim."