What best describes a suspect in a criminal investigation?

In the context of a criminal investigation, a suspect is characterized by the presence of some form of corroborating evidence linking them to the crime. This could include physical evidence, witness statements, or other forms of documentation that suggest their involvement. The existence of such evidence gives the investigation a basis for identifying someone as a suspect, distinguishing them from mere individuals who may happen to be present or involved in the vicinity of a crime without any relevant connections.

In contrast, selecting a random individual does not provide any contextual ties to the crime, while a witness is someone who has observed the crime and may provide testimony but is not necessarily implicated as a suspect. An uninformed bystander lacks knowledge of the crime and thus cannot be classified as a suspect either. The critical element that defines a suspect involves having corroborating evidence, which indicates a direct link to the criminal activity under investigation.