omicidio

Omicidio is a legal term used in Spanish-speaking and some other contexts to denote the act of one person causing the death of another. In criminal law it generally refers to unlawful killing, and in many systems it is used interchangeably with homicide, though some legal traditions distinguish omicidio from other forms of killing such as asesinato or negligent killing.

Typically, criminal homicide is categorized according to the mental state and the circumstances of the act. Common categories include murder (often involving intent and sometimes premeditation), voluntary manslaughter (intentional killing without premeditation under provocation or heat of passion), involuntary or negligent homicide (killing through recklessness or negligence), and, in some jurisdictions, other gradations. The precise definitions and penalties vary by country and legal system. In civil-law jurisdictions, distinctions between intentional and unintentional killing are also reflected in liability and penalties.

The core elements generally required for criminal homicide are: an act that causes another person’s death (actus reus), a prohibited mental state or recklessness regarding causing death (mens rea), and a causal link between the act and the death. Justifications or excuses can exclude criminal liability, such as self-defense, defense of others, or necessity, depending on the jurisdiction.

Penalties for omicidio range from lengthy prison terms to life imprisonment and, in a minority of jurisdictions, capital punishment. In many legal systems, homicide also involves potential civil liability, requiring compensation to the deceased’s family. Forensic investigations, autopsies, and expert testimony commonly accompany homicide cases to establish cause of death and the actor’s intent.