Which term describes a complaint that has been found to be false?

The term "unfounded" specifically refers to a complaint that has been investigated and determined to have no basis in fact. It implies that the allegations made in the complaint lack substantiation and do not hold up under scrutiny. In law enforcement, when a complaint is classified as unfounded, it means that the evidence or circumstances do not support the claims made, leading to a conclusion that the allegations are not true or credible.

In contrast, while "unproven" might suggest that there has not been enough evidence to confirm the validity of a complaint, it does not carry the definitive resolution that "unfounded" does. "False" simply categorizes the complaint without the formal context of investigation, and "invalid" encompasses a broader range of meanings that might not directly pertain to the outcome of an inquiry into the complaint's credibility. Thus, "unfounded" accurately captures the status of a complaint that has been thoroughly evaluated and dismissed due to lack of truth.