Homicide

Homicide is when one person kills (causes the death of) another person. Homicide is often a crime but sometimes it is not. If the killer wanted to cause death, it can be a crime called murder. If the killer did not want to cause death, but had no care for their own behavior, it can be a crime called manslaughter. Fighting to keep oneself safe from harm is called self-defense. If a person needed to kill for self-defense, it is usually not a crime. If a person killed in self-defense when they did not need to kill, it may be a crime.

Homicide Media

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  Cain Slays Abel by Gustave Doré

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  Map of intentional homicide rate per 100,000 with data source United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

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  National homicide rates are generally lower in high-income countries.

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  The countries with the most homicides per unit population are generally countries with small populations (very narrow rectangles in chart).

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  Among 15 high-income countries, the U.S. has both the highest homicide rate, and the largest number of homicides.

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  Fetal homicide laws in the United States      "Homicide" or "murder"*     Other crime against fetus*     Depends on age of fetus*     Assaulting mother*     No law on feticide