{"id":36764,"date":"2026-08-12T08:42:46","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T08:42:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecenglish.com\/en\/?post_type=free_lesson&#038;p=36764"},"modified":"2026-08-12T08:43:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T08:43:20","slug":"crime-vocabulary-types-of-crime-and-criminal-investigation","status":"publish","type":"free_lesson","link":"https:\/\/ecenglish.com\/en\/learn-english-for-free\/vocabulary\/crime-vocabulary-types-of-crime-and-criminal-investigation\/","title":{"rendered":"Crime vocabulary: Types of crime and criminal investigation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Have you ever been the victim of a crime?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Have you ever witnessed a crime?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Have you ever committed a crime?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Crime is an important topic in newspapers, online news, and television reports. In this lesson, you will learn useful <strong>crime vocabulary in English<\/strong>, including crime verbs, types of crime, people involved in crime, and words used in a criminal investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Crime: key words<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Crime<\/strong> <em>(noun)<\/em> means an illegal action or activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Killing someone is a serious crime.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We do not usually use <strong>crime<\/strong> as a verb. The correct phrase is <strong>commit a crime<\/strong>. <em>Commit<\/em> means \u201cdo\u201d in this expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>He was sent to prison for a crime he did not commit.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>criminal<\/strong> <em>(noun)<\/em> is a person who commits a crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The police arrested a dangerous criminal.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Criminal<\/strong> can also be an adjective. It describes something connected with crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The police are investigating criminal activity.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rob, steal, and theft<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rob<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rob<\/strong> <em>(verb)<\/em> means to take money or valuable things from a person, place, or organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>rob a bank<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>rob a shop<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>rob a person<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The criminals robbed a bank.<br>The mugger robbed an old man.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When we use <strong>rob<\/strong>, we focus on the person or place that loses something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Steal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Steal<\/strong> <em>(verb)<\/em> means to take something that belongs to another person without permission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>steal money<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>steal a phone<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>steal a car<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>steal someone\u2019s bag<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Someone stole my wallet on the bus.<br>My bag was stolen at the party.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The verb forms are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>steal<\/strong> \u2013 present<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>stole<\/strong> \u2013 past simple<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>stolen<\/strong> \u2013 past participle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Theft and thief<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Theft<\/strong> <em>(noun)<\/em> means the act of stealing something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The police are investigating the theft of a laptop.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>thief<\/strong> <em>(noun)<\/em> is a person who steals something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The thief took my phone and ran away.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of crime<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Crime<\/th><th>Meaning<\/th><th>Person or verb<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Arson<\/strong><\/td><td>Starting a fire deliberately to damage or destroy something, especially a building.<\/td><td>An <strong>arsonist<\/strong> starts the fire.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Bank robbery<\/strong><\/td><td>Stealing money from a bank.<\/td><td>A <strong>bank robber<\/strong> steals from a bank.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Burglary<\/strong><\/td><td>Entering a building illegally to steal something.<\/td><td>A <strong>burglar<\/strong> commits burglary. <strong>Burgle<\/strong> is the verb.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Manslaughter<\/strong><\/td><td>Killing someone without intending to commit murder. Legal definitions can be different in different countries.<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Murder<\/strong><\/td><td>The intentional and illegal killing of another person.<\/td><td>A <strong>murderer<\/strong> commits murder. <strong>Murder<\/strong> is also a verb.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Mugging<\/strong><\/td><td>Attacking someone in a public place and stealing their money or belongings.<\/td><td>A <strong>mugger<\/strong> commits a mugging. <strong>Mug<\/strong> is also a verb.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Petty crime<\/strong><\/td><td>A small or less serious crime.<\/td><td>Examples can include minor theft, vandalism, or some traffic offences.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Shoplifting<\/strong><\/td><td>Taking something from a shop without paying for it.<\/td><td>A <strong>shoplifter<\/strong> commits shoplifting. <strong>Shoplift<\/strong> is the verb.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Vandalism<\/strong><\/td><td>Deliberately damaging public or private property.<\/td><td>A <strong>vandal<\/strong> damages property.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Example sentences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The fire at the school was caused by arson.<br>The police arrested a burglar.<br>Someone tried to mug me on my way home.<br>The shoplifter put the stolen clothes in a bag.<br>The wall was covered in graffiti after an act of vandalism.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Smuggling and trafficking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The meaning of <strong>smuggling<\/strong> and <strong>trafficking<\/strong> depends on what is being moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Human smuggling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Human smuggling<\/strong> means helping a person enter another country illegally, usually in exchange for money. The person often agrees to the journey, and the arrangement may end when they arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Human trafficking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Human trafficking<\/strong> means using force, lies, threats, or pressure to exploit a person. A person may be forced to work, provide sexual services, or do other things. Human trafficking does not always involve crossing a border. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unodc.org\/e4j\/en\/tip-and-som\/module-11\/key-issues\/differences-and-commonalities.html\">unodc<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Drug smuggling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Drug smuggling<\/strong> means moving illegal drugs across a border, often secretly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Drug trafficking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Drug trafficking<\/strong> has a wider meaning. It can include making, transporting, storing, selling, or distributing illegal drugs. It does not always involve crossing an international border. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.cornell.edu\/wex\/drug_trafficking\">law.cornell<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In short<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Smuggling<\/strong> usually focuses on illegally moving people or things across a border.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Human trafficking<\/strong> focuses on exploiting people.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drug trafficking<\/strong> focuses on the wider illegal drug trade.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Smuggling and trafficking can happen together. For example, a person who brings illegal drugs into a country to sell them may be involved in both drug smuggling and drug trafficking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exact legal meaning of these terms can be different in different countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">White-collar crime<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>White-collar crime<\/strong> is a non-violent crime committed to make money. People, companies, or government workers may commit these crimes as part of their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>fraud<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>stealing company money<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>tax evasion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>insider trading<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The term <strong>white-collar<\/strong> is connected with professional and office work. However, white-collar crime can be committed by anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>White-collar criminals<\/strong> are the people who commit white-collar crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">People involved in a crime<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Victim<\/strong> <em>(noun)<\/em> \u2013 a person who suffers because of a crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The criminal stole the victim\u2019s car.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Witness<\/strong> <em>(noun)<\/em> \u2013 a person who sees or knows something about a crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Several witnesses saw the bank robber leave the building.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Suspect<\/strong> <em>(noun)<\/em> \u2013 a person whom the police believe may have committed a crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The police questioned a suspect.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Perpetrator<\/strong> <em>(noun)<\/em> \u2013 the person who commits a crime or does something illegal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The police are trying to identify the perpetrator.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Defendant<\/strong> <em>(noun)<\/em> \u2013 a person who has been officially accused of a crime and must appear in court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The defendant pleaded not guilty.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Prosecutor<\/strong> <em>(noun)<\/em> \u2013 a lawyer who presents the case against the defendant in court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Judge<\/strong> <em>(noun)<\/em> \u2013 the person who controls a court case and makes legal decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Jury<\/strong> <em>(noun)<\/em> \u2013 a group of people who listen to the evidence and decide whether the defendant is guilty. Not every country uses juries in every case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The criminal investigation process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exact process is different in different countries. Also, not every investigation leads to an arrest, a trial, or a prison sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Report<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A person tells the police about a possible crime. This is called <strong>reporting a crime<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Suspicion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The police think that a person may have committed a crime. This person is called a <strong>suspect<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Suspicion is not proof. A suspect is not automatically guilty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Investigation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The police look for information about the crime. They may speak to people, check records, visit a place, or collect evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Evidence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Evidence<\/strong> is information that may show what happened. It can include fingerprints, photographs, messages, videos, objects, or documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A person who saw or knows something about a crime is called a <strong>witness<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Search and questioning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The police may <strong>search<\/strong> a person, building, vehicle, or other place. In some cases, they need a <strong>search warrant<\/strong>, which is official permission from a court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The police may also <strong>question<\/strong> or <strong>interview<\/strong> the suspect and witnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Arrest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The police <strong>arrest<\/strong> a person when they officially take control of them because they believe the person may have committed a crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After an arrest, the person may be taken to a police station or <strong>jail<\/strong>. This is sometimes called <strong>being in custody<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Charge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>charge<\/strong> is an official statement that a person is accused of a crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A prosecutor or another legal authority usually decides whether to bring charges. The person is then called the <strong>accused<\/strong> or the <strong>defendant<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.govinfo.gov\/content\/pkg\/GOVPUB-J29-PURL-LPS75502\/pdf\/GOVPUB-J29-PURL-LPS75502.pdf\">govinfo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Bail and first hearing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A court may decide whether the defendant can leave custody while waiting for the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This release is called <strong>bail<\/strong>. The defendant may have to pay money or follow certain rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At a <strong>first hearing<\/strong>, the court explains the charges and decides what happens next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Plea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The defendant tells the court whether they are <strong>guilty<\/strong> or <strong>not guilty<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>guilty plea<\/strong> means that the defendant admits committing the crime. A <strong>not-guilty plea<\/strong> means that the defendant denies the charge or wants the prosecution to prove it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. Trial<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>trial<\/strong> is a formal court process. The prosecution presents its evidence, and the defence answers the accusations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A judge or jury listens to both sides and makes a decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">11. Verdict<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>verdict<\/strong> is the court\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Guilty<\/strong> or <strong>convicted<\/strong> means that the court decides that the defendant committed the crime.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Not guilty<\/strong> or <strong>acquitted<\/strong> means that the court does not find the defendant guilty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">12. Sentence or punishment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the defendant is found guilty, the judge gives a <strong>sentence<\/strong>. A sentence is the official punishment for the crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Possible punishments include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>a fine<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>community service<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>probation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a prison sentence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">13. Jail or prison<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>jail<\/strong> is usually a local place where people stay for a short time. It may hold people who are waiting for a trial or serving a short sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>prison<\/strong> is usually a place where people serve longer sentences after they have been convicted. The difference between jail and prison can vary between countries. <a href=\"https:\/\/bjs.ojp.gov\/topics\/corrections\/correctional-institutions\">bjs.ojp<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">14. Appeal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An <strong>appeal<\/strong> is a request for a higher court to review a decision made by a lower court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The process in one line<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Report \u2192 suspicion \u2192 investigation \u2192 evidence \u2192 arrest \u2192 charge \u2192 first hearing \u2192 plea \u2192 trial \u2192 verdict \u2192 sentence or punishment \u2192 jail, prison, or another punishment \u2192 appeal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In some cases, the defendant pleads guilty and there is no full trial. In other cases, the police do not make an arrest, or the prosecutor does not bring charges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common crime vocabulary mistakes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Say <strong>commit a crime<\/strong>, not <em>do a crime<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Say <strong>rob a bank<\/strong> but <strong>steal money from a bank<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Say <strong>rob a person<\/strong> but <strong>steal a person\u2019s phone<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A person who steals is a <strong>thief<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A person suspected of a crime is a <strong>suspect<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A person officially accused in court is a <strong>defendant<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A person is <strong>found guilty<\/strong> or <strong>convicted<\/strong>; they are not usually called guilty before the court gives its verdict.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Crime vocabulary quiz<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What&#8217;s the correct missing word in these ten sentences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1) The __ was arrested by police who caught him hiding in his garden.<\/strong><br>criminal<br>crime<br>victim<br>witness<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2) It looks like he is trying to _<em>_<\/em> that umbrella.<\/strong><br>rob<br>crime<br>steal<br>criminal<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3) The man was _<em>_<\/em> as he walked home late at night.<\/strong><br>steal<br>rob<br>stolen<br>robbed<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4) My watch has been _<em>_<\/em>.<\/strong><br>stealed<br>steal<br>stolen<br>stole<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5) She tried to _<em>_<\/em> drugs in her suitcase from Toronto to Seattle.<\/strong><br>smuggle<br>mug<br>burgle<br>pickpocket<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6) The <em>_<\/em> was caught with the CDs in his bag while he was still in the shop.<\/strong><br>mugger<br>smuggler<br>pickpocket<br>shoplifter<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7) I caught a _<em>_<\/em> trying to steal my purse on the crowded bus.<\/strong><br>shoplifter<br>pickpocket<br>smuggler<br>murderer<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8) The <em><strong>_<em>_<\/em><\/strong><\/em> was shot 5 times by the murderer.<\/strong><br>crime<br>thief<br>victim<br>criminal<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9) Police are trying to catch the <em><strong>_<em>_<\/em><\/strong><\/em> who set fire to the school.<\/strong><br>arsoner<br>arsonman<br>arsonist<br>arson<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10) I have never committed a <em><strong>_<em>_<\/em><\/strong><\/em>.<\/strong><br>steal<br>criminal<br>crime<br>thief<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details>\n  <summary style=\"cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; color: #0073aa;\">\n    Show Answers\n  <\/summary>\n  <div style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; margin-top: 10px;\">\n    <p>1) criminal<br\/>\n2) steal<br\/>\n3) robbed<br\/>\n4) stolen<br\/>\n5) smuggle<br\/>\n6) shoplifter<br\/>\n7) pickpocket<br\/>\n8) victim<br\/>\n9) arsonist<br\/>\n10) crime<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-85b394ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex has-background\" style=\"border-radius:2rem;min-height:240px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--l);padding-right:2rem;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--l);padding-left:2rem;background-image:url(&apos;https:\/\/ecenglish.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/06\/DSC09460EC-Live_Fiona-copy.jpg&apos;);background-position:30% 30%;background-size:cover;\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-ec-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b65aa1bd3eb66785c0b1a8d5919c9202\" style=\"margin-right:0;margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--s);font-size:2rem;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Try a free online lesson with EC Live<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ec-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5081f987feb7085cdbac893ff4496027 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:1.13rem\">Live online English classes for continuous learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:2rem\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-primary-dark-background-hover-color\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-primary-background-color has-background has-extra-small-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ecenglish.com\/en\/english-courses\/learn-english-online\/?utm_campaign=17471923-blog-ec-live-cta&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog%20CTA&amp;utm_content=blog-ec-live-cta#free-trial-ec-live\" style=\"border-radius:200px\"><strong>try it for free<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you ever been the victim of a crime? Have you ever witnessed a crime? Have you ever committed a<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":36782,"parent":0,"template":"","free_lesson_category":[280],"class_list":["post-36764","free_lesson","type-free_lesson","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","free_lesson_category-vocabulary"],"acf":{"related_posts":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Crime Vocabulary in English: Types of Crime | EC English<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn crime vocabulary in English with clear B1 definitions of crime verbs, types of crime, criminals, and the investigation process.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ecenglish.com\/en\/learn-english-for-free\/vocabulary\/crime-vocabulary-types-of-crime-and-criminal-investigation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" 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