corpus

/korpas/ Body; an aggregate or mass (of men, laws, or articles); physical substance, as distinguished from intellectual conception; the principal sum or capital, as distinguished from interest or income. The main body or principal of a trust. A substantial or positive fact, as distinguished from what is equivocal and ambiguous.

The corpus delicti (body of an offense) is the fact of its having been actually committed. A corporeal act of any kind (as distinguished from animus or mere intention), on the part of him who wishes to acquire a thing, whereby he obtains the physical ability to exercise his power over it whenever he pleases. The word occurs frequently in this sense in the civil law. As proof, it consists of showing that there exists the object of the crime (dead body in homicide case), and that such resulted from criminal act of some person. In some jurisdictions, it cannot be proved by confession of defendant in the first instance but only after extrinsic evidence (of the elements) has been offered. Downey v. People, 121 Colo. 307, 215 P.2d 892. In other states, confessional evidence is admissible in the first instance.

See corpus delicti, below