When it comes to the world of crime and justice, "chief detective" is a common term we hear. It refers to the top-ranking official in a police department's detective unit. But there are various other synonyms you can use to describe this position of authority. Some examples include lead investigator, head sleuth, top gumshoe, lead detective, senior law enforcement officer, and principal detective. The term chief sleuth also conveys the same meaning as chief detective. However, the concept of a chief detective is not limited to law enforcement. Other industries may use similar terms to denote the head of an investigative unit. These words provide different options for writers, editors, and speakers to describe this important role.