Homicide

Homicide is the act of one human killing another. A homicide requires only a volitional act by another person that results in death, and thus a homicide may result from accidental, reckless, or negligent acts even if there is no intent to cause harm.

Types of Homicide

Homicides can be divided into many overlapping legal categories, including murder, manslaughter, justifiable homicide, killing in war, euthanasia, and capital punishment, depending on the circumstances of the death. These different types of homicides are often treated very differently in human societies; some are considered crimes, while others are permitted or even ordered by the legal system.

Murder

Murder is the unlawful killing of another human without justification or valid excuse, especially the unlawful killing of another human with malice aforethought.

Manslaughter

Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder.

Justifiable Homicide

Justifiable homicide is a defense in criminal law in which the defendant argues that their actions resulted in death and were necessary to defend themselves or others from serious harm or death.

Euthanasia

Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering.

Capital Punishment

Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is a government-sanctioned practice whereby a person is put to death by the state as a punishment for a crime.

Legal Aspects

In many jurisdictions, a homicide that occurs during the commission of a dangerous crime may constitute murder, regardless of the actor's intent to commit homicide. In the United States, this is known as the felony murder rule.

See Also

• Crime
• Death
• Law

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