Definition: corpus delicti literally means "body of the crime." It refers to the essential facts proving that a crime has actually been committed.
Components
1. Proof that a specific injury or loss occurred
Examples: death in homicide; burnt property in arson; missing property in theft.
2. Proof that the injury or loss resulted from criminal agency
The injury, death or loss must be shown to have resulted from a criminal act, and not from:
- Natural causes
- Accident
- Suicide (where relevant)
Examples
- Homicide — corpus delicti consists of proof that a person is dead and that death occurred due to a criminal act.
- Arson — corpus delicti consists of proof that property was burnt and that the burning was caused deliberately.
Clinical
Medicolegal importance: mere confession is insufficient without proof of corpus delicti. It establishes that a crime has actually occurred and is a fundamental requirement in criminal investigation.
High Yield
Examiner's one-liner: Corpus delicti = body of the crime = proof that injury/loss occurred + criminal agency was responsible.