In an investigation, what term describes an individual whose involvement is uncertain until results are determined?

The term that accurately describes an individual whose involvement in an investigation is uncertain until further results are determined is "subject." In investigative contexts, a subject refers to a person who is being examined or considered in connection with a matter but has not yet been determined to be involved in wrongful conduct. Their status is still open to interpretation based on the ongoing investigation and the outcomes of evidence evaluation.

In contrast, a witness is typically a person who has information or evidence related to the case but is not considered a party of interest themselves. Meanwhile, a suspect is someone believed to have committed the potential wrongdoing, and the accused refers specifically to someone who has been officially charged with an offense. These terms imply a higher degree of involvement or accountability compared to the status of a subject, whose role remains ambiguous until more conclusive findings are available.