What is meant by corpus delicti?

The term "corpus delicti" refers to the fundamental principle in criminal law that establishes that a crime has occurred. It literally means "body of the crime" in Latin. This concept requires the prosecution to provide evidence that a crime has been committed, including the act itself and the corresponding result, rather than merely relying on a confession or the accusation that a person did something wrong.

In this context, corpus delicti signifies not just the physical evidence or specific objects related to the crime but encompasses the broader elements necessary to prove that a particular offense has indeed taken place. For example, in a homicide case, the corpus delicti would involve demonstrating that a person died due to the actions of another, along with the method and circumstances surrounding the death.

The other options address different legal concepts. For instance, while physical evidence is crucial in trials, it is only one aspect of proving corpus delicti. Double jeopardy refers to the constitutional protection against being tried for the same crime twice, and the term does not apply to the physical aspects of a crime. The accused refers to the individual alleged to have committed the crime but does not pertain to the concept of proving that a crime occurred in the first place. Thus,