Variants of homicide: a review.
Killing of an individual is the highest level of aggression found in all cultures. Modes of killing of the victims vary with the history and the cultural background of a country. In 13th century, pardonable homicide was distinguished from homicide committed with preplanning. Later homicide which was committed with preplanning was classified as 'premeditated' or 'intentional' or 'first degree' murder in different parts of the world. When sufficient proof of preplanning or malice aforethought was not present the term 'culpable homicide not amounting to murder' is used in India, 'manslaughter' in England and 'unintentional' homicide in Iceland. Sometime homicide may be the end result of several different chains of events of which mental abnormality is one. To convict a person in case of homicide the types of homicide must be established. This review explores some means of classifying homicides.
Mohanty
Manoj Kumar
MK
Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India. manmohanty@yahoo.com
D003417:Criminal Psychology; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006708:Homicide / Q000145:classification* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India