Liberia, March 14 -- The Inspector General of the Liberia National Police has declared economist and political commentator Samuel Jackson a suspect in the death of his wife.

Police Inspector General Gregory O. W. Coleman told reporters late Saturday that Jackson, along with several relatives and staff members, will remain in detention at the police national headquarters while the investigation continues.

According to Coleman, the police have 48 hours under Liberian law to either formally charge Jackson and forward him to the appropriate court for prosecution or release him.

Specimen collected from Jackson's home being carried by an investigator. While the police did not publicly identify the other individuals being held, family sources...