Officials at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Washington , D.C. , said authorities who use the phrase `` person of interest '' can confuse the person who is in custody . Police were widely using ` ` person of interest '' after 1996 Olympic Games bombing . It does not mean the same thing as ` ` . '' Experts say the phrase came into use to reduce media attention . It can deceive the focus of an investigation , he says .
Police were widely using ` ` person of interest '' after 1996 Olympic Games bombing . It does not mean the same thing as ` ` . '' Experts say the phrase came into use to reduce media attention . It can deceive the focus of an investigation , he says .