To establish corpus delicti, which element must be proven?

• A. The offender's intent
• B. The occurrence of a crime
• C. The defendant's prior record
• D. The victim's identity

Answer: (B)

Corpus delicti is about proving that a crime actually occurred. The essential requirement is showing that a crime happened, not just that someone did something or that there was intent, a prior record, or who the victim was. In other words, even if someone confesses, there must be independent evidence that a criminal act occurred and caused harm. That’s why the correct answer is the occurrence of a crime. The offender’s intent isn’t enough on its own for corpus delicti in many cases, a defendant’s prior record doesn’t establish that the current crime took place, and the victim’s identity isn’t the proof that a crime occurred.