GaryK - 3:43 am on Nov 14, 2012 (gmt 0)

It's usually a euphemistic phrase used by law enforcement instead of "suspect" when announcing the name of someone they think was involved in a crime, but where there's not enough evidence to formally charge the person with a crime. Still, naming someone as a person of interest often results in a trial by media, as seems to be happening now with Mr. McAfee.