Homicide - Definition and Overview

This article is about homicide, the killing of a human being. For information about the television series, see: Homicide: Life on the Street.

Homicide is the killing of another human being by one or more others. In contrast, suicide is the self killing of a human being.

Legally homicide is classified as either justifiable homicide which is not a crime, or the following crimes:

• murder
• manslaughter
  • voluntary manslaughter
  • involuntary manslaughter
• homicide
  • negligent homicide (in some jurisdictions)
    • reckless manslaughter
    • mere negligence
  • excusable homicide
  • justifiable homicide
  • legal homicide

• infanticide
• causing death by dangerous driving

UK offence. The mens rea requirements for this offence to be committed are weaker than the requirements for manslaughter or murder.

Defenses against homicide, where the identity of the killer is not in dispute, include insanity and self-defense. Defense of property is not per se a defense against homicide, although a homicide where self-defense became necessary as a result of undertaking defense of property may be justifiable homicide.

Example Usage of Homicide