In law enforcement terminology, an individual that could be involved in the crime is referred to as what?

The term that best fits the description of an individual who could be involved in the crime is "Person of interest." This term is utilized in law enforcement to refer to someone who may have information pertinent to an investigation or who may have been involved in the crime, but who has not yet been formally charged or labeled a suspect.

The nuance of this term lies in the fact that a person of interest suggests a possibility rather than an assertion of guilt. This classification allows law enforcement to investigate and gather more information about the individual without jumping to conclusions about their involvement.

While a witness provides information about what they have seen or heard regarding a crime, and a suspect is someone believed to have committed the crime, the person of interest remains in a more ambiguous position. The term investigative lead pertains to information or evidence that can help identify or locate a suspect, which is different from categorizing the individual themselves. Therefore, "Person of interest" is the most accurate term for describing someone who could potentially be involved in a crime.