Property and Casualty Insurance Practice Exam

What constitutes evidence of forcible entry in a burglary case?

1. Proof of prior ownership of the property

2. Visible signs of tampering or breaking of locks or doors

3. witness statements about the event

4. Details of the burglar's appearance

The correct answer is: Visible signs of tampering or breaking of locks or doors

Visible signs of tampering or breaking of locks or doors are critical in establishing evidence of forcible entry in a burglary case. This type of evidence demonstrates that an individual unlawfully gained access to a property through force, rather than simply entering through an open door or window. Signs of forced entry may include broken locks, removed window panes, or damaged doorframes, which all indicate that the burglar took unlawful steps to access the premises, thereby fulfilling a key criterion in the legal definition of burglary. Other types of evidence, while potentially important for the overall investigation, do not directly establish forcible entry. For instance, proof of prior ownership of the property does not relate to how the entry was made, and witness statements about the event may help in understanding what occurred but do not provide concrete physical evidence of how the entry was achieved. Similarly, details of the burglar's appearance might aid in identifying the suspect but do not pertain to the manner in which the property was accessed.