Kriminalfall

Kriminalfall is a German term that denotes a specific criminal case or incident. It is used to refer to a particular crime, its investigation, and often the public reporting surrounding it. The term can apply to police files, court records, news stories, or criminological analyses.

Etymology and usage: The word combines Kriminal-, related to crime, with -fall, meaning case or incident. It is common in German-speaking regions such as Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. The term is neutral and descriptive, generally not indicating guilt, and is comparable to the English term "criminal case."

In media and scholarship: Journalists use Kriminalfall in headlines and articles to describe ongoing investigations or notable incidents. In true crime literature and podcasts, a Kriminalfall introduces a case study. In criminology, it refers to a monographic or comparative case used to illustrate concepts.

Typical elements: A Kriminalfall typically includes background information, a chronological timeline, examined evidence, investigative steps, identified or suspected actors, judicial proceedings, and the outcome or current status of the case.

See also: Criminal case; True crime; Investigative journalism.