Chicago Police Department (CPD) Practice Exam 2026 - Free CPD Practice Questions and Study Guide

'Corpus delicti' is a legal term that translates to 'body of the crime.' This concept is crucial in criminal law as it establishes that a crime has actually occurred before a person can be convicted of that crime. It involves demonstrating that there was a specific violation of the law and that this violation has resulted in harm or a criminal act. For example, in a murder case, the corpus delicti would include evidence that a person was killed and that the act was unlawful. This principle ensures that a conviction is not solely based on a confession or statements made by the accused without supporting evidence of the crime itself. Understanding this term is essential for law enforcement and legal professionals, as it underscores the necessity of proving that a crime has taken place when pursuing criminal charges.