Mordfall

Mordfall is a German term that translates roughly as “murder case.” In journalism and legal discourse it is used to describe a specific homicide incident that is under investigation, being prosecuted, or otherwise treated as a discrete matter. The word emphasizes the case as an identifiable event rather than the general concept of murder.

Etymology and usage: Mord means murder, and Fall means case or incident. While Mord refers to the legal category for intentional homicide under German law, Mordfall is commonly found in news reports and official summaries to label a particular case, often highlighting ongoing investigations, suspects, and evidentiary developments.

Structure and elements: A mordfall typically involves police inquiry, collection of evidence from crime scenes, forensics, autopsies, witness and suspect interviews, and the progression from inquiry to charges and court proceedings. Public disclosures about a mordfall are often careful to balance reporting with privacy, investigation integrity, and the rights of those involved.

Legal context: In German-speaking jurisdictions, murder is a defined offense (Mord) with specific criteria and penalties under the Strafgesetzbuch (StGB). A mordfall may result in formal charges of Mord, Totschlag, or other offenses, depending on the evidence and legal theory pursued. The label mordfall describes the status of the case rather than prescribing the exact legal charge.

See also: murder, crime, criminal investigation, forensics, Stammrecht (law).