Homicide is any killing of another person by a human. It is always a crime, but there are different levels of severity and it can be justified in some cases, such as self-defense or during war.
Homicidal acts have been recognized as crimes in the context of legal systems for nearly all of recorded history. The Code of Hammurabi, written nearly two thousand years ago, addressed homicide in its first law.
Throughout history, the methods used to kill others have varied widely. Many homicides are committed with some degree of premeditation and deliberation. If a killer is said to have “malice aforethought,” they may be guilty of murder.
Criminal homicide encompasses all killings that are punishable under criminal law, including murder and manslaughter. Murder is a specific type of homicide that can be punished by the death penalty, depending on the jurisdiction. Felony murder is a type of criminal homicide that occurs when a person dies while committing a serious felony, even if the defendant did not intend to cause that death.
Survivors of homicide, like all survivors of crime, experience unique stressors and challenges. They may struggle with economic pressures, stigmatization, fears of recurrence, strained relationships with family members who are suspected perpetrators, negative beliefs about themselves and the world and feelings of guilt and responsibility. However, unlike other crime victims, homicide survivors are more likely to be targeted for revenge. Therefore, they are more likely to suffer from mental health problems such as PTSD.