palani
7th July 2015, 07:18 AM
Quite a conundrum. Here inculpable can be shown to mean free from blame yet inculpatory evidence tends to prove guilt. Exculpate means to clear of guilt. This is presented as an example of how the system stumbles over itself in re-defining words.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=inculpate&searchmode=none
inculpate (v.)
1799, "to accuse, bring charges against," from Medieval Latin inculpatus, past participle of inculpare "to reproach, blame, censure," from Latin in- "in" (see in- (2)) + culpare "to blame," from culpa "fault." But inculpable (late 15c.) means "not culpable, free from blame," from Latin in- "not" (see in- (1)) + culpare.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=exculpate&allowed_in_frame=0
exculpate (v.)
"to clear from suspicion of wrong or guilt," 1650s, from Medieval Latin exculpatus, past participle of exculpare, from Latin ex culpa, from ex "from" (see ex-) + culpa ablative of culpa "blame, fault." Related: Exculpated; exculpating.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inculpatory_evidence
Inculpatory evidence
Inculpatory evidence is evidence that shows, or tends to show, a person's involvement in an act, or evidence that can establish guilt. In criminal law ... Exculpatory evidence is evidence favorable to the defendant in a criminal trial that exonerates or tends to exonerate the defendant of guilt. It is the opposite of inculpatory evidence, which tends to prove guilt.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=inculpate&searchmode=none
inculpate (v.)
1799, "to accuse, bring charges against," from Medieval Latin inculpatus, past participle of inculpare "to reproach, blame, censure," from Latin in- "in" (see in- (2)) + culpare "to blame," from culpa "fault." But inculpable (late 15c.) means "not culpable, free from blame," from Latin in- "not" (see in- (1)) + culpare.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=exculpate&allowed_in_frame=0
exculpate (v.)
"to clear from suspicion of wrong or guilt," 1650s, from Medieval Latin exculpatus, past participle of exculpare, from Latin ex culpa, from ex "from" (see ex-) + culpa ablative of culpa "blame, fault." Related: Exculpated; exculpating.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inculpatory_evidence
Inculpatory evidence
Inculpatory evidence is evidence that shows, or tends to show, a person's involvement in an act, or evidence that can establish guilt. In criminal law ... Exculpatory evidence is evidence favorable to the defendant in a criminal trial that exonerates or tends to exonerate the defendant of guilt. It is the opposite of inculpatory evidence, which tends to prove guilt.