ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

What is a significant use of the term "corpus delicti"?

1. Establishing the mental state of the suspect

2. Supporting the prosecution's argument of guilt

3. Identifying the victim's family

4. Validating witness credibility

The correct answer is: Supporting the prosecution's argument of guilt

The term "corpus delicti" refers to the principle that a crime must be proven to have occurred before a person can be convicted of committing that crime. In legal terms, it specifically means "the body of the crime," which includes evidence that demonstrates that a crime has taken place and substantiates the elements of that crime. When the prosecution uses the concept of corpus delicti, it establishes that a crime indeed occurred, which is vital to support the argument of guilt. For instance, in a homicide case, the existence of a deceased person, along with clear evidence of wrongful death, constitutes the corpus delicti. By confirming that the crime occurred, the prosecution can then argue effectively that the accused is culpable. While establishing the mental state of the suspect, identifying the victim's family, and validating witness credibility are important aspects of a legal proceeding, they do not directly pertain to the fundamental principle of corpus delicti. The emphasis is specifically on proving that a crime has been committed, making the support of the prosecution's argument of guilt the most significant use of the term.