New York Private Investigator Regulations Practice Exam

What does "corpus delecti" refer to?

1. The means by which a crime is committed

2. The body of the crime

3. The legal justification for self-defense

4. A type of legal evidence

The correct answer is: The body of the crime

"Corpus delecti" is a legal term that translates to "the body of the crime." It denotes the principle that there must be evidence that a crime has occurred before an individual can be convicted of that crime. The essence of this concept lies in establishing that an injury or loss has taken place, typically involving proof of the actual event of the crime itself. In criminal law, this means demonstrating that a crime has been committed through physical evidence or observation. The prosecution must show that there is a tangible sign or proof that a crime occurred, which can include a victim in homicide cases, stolen property in theft cases, or destruction in cases like arson. Without establishing corpus delecti, charges cannot be substantiated against individuals. The other options do not accurately define "corpus delecti." The means by which a crime is committed refers more to the methods or actions involved and does not capture the foundational idea of a crime needing to be established. Legal justification for self-defense is unrelated to the concept of the crime's body itself. Finally, while legal evidence is important in a trial, it does not encompass the specific notion of establishing that a crime occurred as embodied in the term "corpus delecti."