Homicide is the killing of one person by another. It encompasses a broad range of circumstances, including intentional acts, such as murder, as well as unintentional acts, such as manslaughter. In criminal law, homicide is categorised based on the perpetrator’s mental state and intent at the time of the killing. Murder involves premeditation and the intent to cause death, while manslaughter typically involves reckless or negligent conduct that leads to someone’s death. Homicide investigations aim to determine the circumstances surrounding the death and hold responsible parties accountable under the law.
The deliberate and unlawful killing of one person by another; murder.
n. the killing of a human being due to the act or omission of another. Included among homicides are murder and manslaughter, but not all homicides are a crime, particularly when there is a lack of criminal intent. Non-criminal homicides include killing in self-defence, a misadventure like a hunting accident or automobile wreck without a violation of law like reckless driving, or legal (government) execution. Suicide is a homicide, but in most cases, there is no one to prosecute if the suicide is successful. Assisting or attempting suicide can be a crime.
- The killing of one person by another, whether premeditated or unintentional.
- A person who kills another.
- A victim of homicide; a person who has been unlawfully killed by someone else.
The killing of one human being by the act or omission of another. The term applies to all such killings, whether criminal or not. Homicide is considered noncriminal in a number of situations, including deaths as the result of war and putting someone to death by the valid sentence of a court. Killing may also be legally justified or excused, as it is in cases of self-defence or when someone is killed by another person who is attempting to prevent a violent felony. Criminal homicide occurs when a person purposely, knowingly, recklessly or negligently causes the death of another. Murder and manslaughter are both examples of criminal homicide.
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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.
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