A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes". Informally, and primarily in fiction, a detective is any licensed or unlicensed person who solves crimes, including historical crimes, or looks into records.
Read more about Detective: Overview, Organization, Private Detectives
Famous quotes containing the word detective:
“In the towns I am tracked by phantoms having weird detective ways—”
—Thomas Hardy (1840–1928)
“You can always tell a detective on TV. He never takes his hat off.”
—Raymond Chandler (1888–1959)
“The best part of myself, that’s what you are. Do you think I’m going to leave it to the vulgar pawing of a second-rate detective who thinks you’re a “dame”? Do you think I could bear the thought of him holding you in his arms, kissing you, loving you?”
—Jay Dratler, U.S. screenwriter, Samuel Hoffenstein (1889–1947)