Investigation Terminology

noun a part of a situation or problem that has not been dealt with or resolved

• It is important to tie up all loose ends before finalizing the project.
• Let's make sure we don't leave any loose ends hanging.
• We need to wrap up all the loose ends before we call it a day.
• She felt like she was constantly chasing after loose ends in her life.

noun a part or portion of something

verb to assemble or construct by fitting parts together

adverb in a manner that involves assembling or constructing parts together

• The detectives were able to piece together the evidence to solve the case.
• I'm trying to piece together what happened last night, but my memory is a bit fuzzy.
• Let's piece together all the clues and figure out who stole the cookies.
• It took me a while to piece together the meaning of the poem, but I finally understood it.

noun a path or course laid out for racing, especially one made of a pair of parallel lines of metal, plastic, or wood, with guide grooves for wheels.

verb to search for and find someone or something by following their tracks or other signs they have left behind.

• The detective was able to track down the suspect using advanced surveillance techniques.
• I need to track down that book I lent you last month.
• I'll track down that dude who owes me money and give him a piece of my mind.
• After years of searching, she was finally able to track down the source of her anxiety.

noun the place where someone or something is

adverb in or to what place or position

• The detective was trying to determine the whereabouts of the missing person.
• Have you seen John's whereabouts? He was supposed to meet us here.
• I have no clue about her whereabouts, she's always so mysterious.
• The whereabouts of my lost motivation seem to be hidden in the depths of procrastination.