weapon used in the crime
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weapon used in the crime
The object or weapon with which a crime, especially a violent crime such as a murder or a robbery, was committed.
Die Polizei sucht im Fluss nach der Tatwaffe.
The police are searching the river for the weapon used in the crime.
The word is composed of 'die Tat' (the act, in the sense of a criminal offense) and 'die Waffe' (weapon). So it literally means the 'weapon of the crime.'
Als Tatwaffe wurde ein schwerer Gegenstand benutzt.
A heavy object was used as the weapon in the crime.
The component 'Tat-' is typical in criminal and legal contexts. When you see 'Tat-' at the beginning of a word, it often has to do with a criminal offense, as in 'Tatort' (crime scene) or 'Täter' (perpetrator).
Der Täter hat die Tatwaffe am Tatort zurückgelassen.
The perpetrator left the weapon used in the crime at the crime scene.
In connection with police work and criminal cases, the 'Tatwaffe' (weapon used in the crime) is often searched for, found, secured, or analyzed.
Die Ermittler haben die Tatwaffe bisher nicht gefunden.
The investigators have not found the weapon used in the crime so far.
weapon
'Waffe' and 'Tatwaffe' both refer to an object that can be dangerous or used in violence. 'Waffe' is the general term: it can refer to combat, hunting, threats, or even figuratively to a means used in an argument. 'Tatwaffe' is much more specific and belongs to the area of police, court, and crime. It means the object with which a crime was committed. Learners may confuse the words because a 'Tatwaffe' is often also a 'Waffe'. But not every 'Waffe' is a 'Tatwaffe'. 'Tatwaffe' is used only when talking about a specific act or crime.
Die Polizei sucht noch die Tatwaffe, weil sie für den Prozess wichtig ist.
The police are still looking for the weapon used in the crime because it is important for the trial.
Der Polizist nahm dem Mann die Waffe ab.
The police officer took the weapon away from the man.