Homicide is an act in which a person causes the death of another person. A homicide requires only a volitional act, or an omission, that causes the death of another, and thus a homicide may result from accidental, reckless, or negligent acts even if there is no intent to cause harm. [1]
Murder is a homicide committed intentionally or as a result of the commission of another serious offense and is usually distinguished from the crime of manslaughter by the element of malice aforethought.
In media and daily conversation, the words homicide and murder are often used interchangeably. However, there are significant legal differences between them. While both terms describe the killing of one person by another, the distinction is not merely academic.
Homicide is a manner of death, when one person causes the death of another. Not all homicide is murder, as some deaths caused by another person are manslaughter, and some are lawful; such as when justified by an affirmative defense, like insanity or self-defense.
Homicide is the killing of another person. It could include murder or manslaughter. Learn more here about homicide offenses, punishments, and defenses.
Homicide is when one person causes the death of another person, intentionally or unintentionally. The term "homicide" comes from French and Latin roots of homo (meaning man) and cida (meaning killing).
In 2023, 93% of homicide incidents involved one victim, accounting for 17,030 of the 19,800 total homicide victims (table 5). An estimated 5% of homicide incidents involved two victims, and fewer than 2% of homicide incidents involved three or more victims.
Homicide is a severe form of violence that has a significant impact on individuals, families, and communities. Understanding the different types and causes of homicide is crucial in developing effective prevention strategies.
: homicide that is committed in self-defense, in defense of another and especially a member of one's family or sometimes in defense of a residence, in preventing a felony especially involving great bodily harm, or in performing a legal duty and that is justified under the law
Murder is a homicide committed intentionally or as a result of the commission of another serious offense and is usually distinguished from the crime of manslaughter by the element of malice aforethought.