Looking for a kid-friendly crime word list for stories, mystery games, classroom fun, or Mad Libs? You found it.

This list is full of sneaky, suspicious, clue-packed words that are fun for writers, students, and teachers. It works great for mystery stories, detective characters, goofy villains, writing prompts, and vocabulary games.

If you are looking for a more serious, mega list of crime words and some free downloads, check out this post: Huge Crime Vocabulary List for Mysteries, Mad Libs, and Writing Prompts.

clue
detective
mystery
suspect
evidence
footprint
magnifying glass
wild goose chase
witness
secret
sneaky
heebie-jeebies
shadow
riddle
puzzle
alibi
investigate
search
question
notebook
flashlight
map
disguise
mask
hideout
thief
crook
bandit
rascal
trickster
prankster
spy
villain
mastermind
sidekick
lookout
escape
chase
trap
locked
missing
stolen
hidden
code
message
fingerprint
muddy boot
wallet
jewel
treasure
sirens
handcuffs
police
officer
patrol
caught
busted
confession
scheme
plot
double-cross
stakeout
secret passage
mustache disguise
clue
detective
investigate
mystery
suspect
evidence
fingerprints
footstep
track
search
lineup
sleuthing
case
witness
alias
disguise
camouflage
surveillance
undercover
private eye
gut feeling
red flag
figure out
intrigue
puzzle
riddle
secret
message
map
notebook
flashlight
alarm system
crook
burglar
pickpocket
thief
steal
theft
heist
caper
break-in
loot
busted
booked
arrest
justice
badge
warrant
jail
courthouse
courtroom
lawbreaker
crime
infraction
troublemaker
scam
scammer
con artist
hoodwinked
cover-up
contraband
graffiti
shoplifting
intruder
masked
red-handed
fess up
come clean
slap on the wrist
open-and-shut case
rap sheet
safe house
hideout
trap
lookout
shadow
creak
fishy
spook
phantom
creepy
scary
predicament
befuddled
officer
deputy
sheriff
trooper
responder
rescuer
investigator
guard
security
patrol
patrol car
police car
police van
police station
dispatcher
negotiator
crime fighter
public servant
uniform
body cam
megaphone
headlight
on the beat
call for backup
chase
car chase
capture
hunt
crawl
skip
rescue
defend
guard
track
takedown
run for it
pull over
scare off
speed-up