ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

"Prima facie" signifies a legal concept indicating that something is presumed to be true based on initial evidence until it is disproven. This foundational principle plays a critical role in legal proceedings by establishing a baseline for evidence that must be met before further scrutiny or argument is warranted. In practical terms, when a party presents prima facie evidence, it means they have provided enough evidence to support their claim, allowing the case to proceed unless the opposing party can effectively challenge that evidence.

Understanding this concept is vital for investigators and legal professionals as it helps them recognize the thresholds of proof required in various stages of legal processes, including investigations and trials. The other options, while related to legal terms, do not accurately capture the specific meaning of prima facie in a legal context.