What does the term "corpus delicti" refer to in legal terms?

The term "corpus delicti" specifically refers to the body or substance of a crime. In legal terminology, it encompasses the essential facts that establish a crime has occurred, which typically includes the occurrence of a specific violation of the law and the existence of a person or property that has been injured or harmed. This concept ensures that there is concrete proof that a crime has happened before an individual can be convicted of committing that crime.

Understanding "corpus delicti" is critical in criminal investigations because it is the foundational element that prosecutors need to demonstrate in order to charge someone with an offense. Without establishing this body of evidence, the justice system would struggle to ensure that individuals are not unjustly accused without sufficient basis in the facts of the crime.