Corpus Delicti Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Corpus Delicti, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Corpus Delicti?

It is a latin term meaning ‘body of the crime’.It means the evidences and facts required to prove the a crime has been commited.It can be the object with which the crime was commited or even a dead body in case of murder.

History and Meaning of Corpus Delicti

Corpus Delicti is a Latin term that refers to the body of a crime, specifically the evidence or facts that establish that a crime has occurred. The term has its roots in Roman law, and it has been used in the legal system for centuries. In modern times, the term is most commonly associated with homicide cases, where it refers to the physical evidence that supports the charge of murder.

In addition to physical evidence, the concept of corpus delicti can also include circumstantial evidence, witness testimony, and other information that can help establish that a crime has been committed. The idea behind this term is that prosecutors must provide more than just a confession or a suspect's testimony to convict someone of a crime.

Examples of Corpus Delicti

  • In a murder trial, the corpus delicti might include the victim's body, the murder weapon, and any other physical evidence that links the suspect to the crime scene.

  • In a case of embezzlement, the corpus delicti might include financial records, bank statements, or other documents that show that the accused took money that did not belong to them.

  • In a case of arson, the corpus delicti might include photographs and measurements of the fire damage, witness testimonies, and any physical evidence that can help determine the cause of the fire.

Legal Terms Similar to Corpus Delicti

  • Mens Rea: This Latin term refers to the mental state of an accused person at the time of a crime. It is usually defined as the "guilty mind" or the intention to commit a crime.

  • Actus Reus: This Latin term refers to the physical act or conduct that constitutes a crime. It is usually defined as the "guilty act" or the actual commission of a crime.

  • Preponderance of Evidence: This legal term refers to the standard of evidence that must be met for a civil case to be proven. It requires that the evidence shows that the defendant is more likely than not to have committed the alleged action.

  • Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: This legal term refers to the high standard of evidence that must be met for a criminal case to be proven. It requires that the evidence must be so strong that there is no other reasonable explanation for the defendant's guilt.