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"corpus delicti" (Latin)

by Craig Shrives

What does the Latin term corpus delicti mean?

"Corpus delicti" is a Latin term that translates to "body of the crime." It refers to the principle that the existence of a crime must be established before a person can be convicted of committing it. It encompasses the physical or material evidence that proves the occurrence of the crime.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three example sentences using the term "corpus delicti":

The prosecution presented the corpus delicti as evidence, including the murder weapon and the victim's body.
Without sufficient evidence to establish the corpus delicti, the case was dismissed by the court.
The investigators diligently gathered the corpus delicti to build a strong case against the suspect.

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