In the_______of proof , the police could not take action against

In the_______of proof , the police could not take action against the man.
A、lack
B、shortage
C、absence
D、failure
【正确答案】：C
【题目解析】：in the absence of不存在，缺乏句意：在缺乏证据的情况下，警察无法对那个人采取行动。