There are many different legal categories of homicide. Two of these categories are; first degree murder and second degree murder. If the person acted with ‘malice aforethought’ or, planned to kill another individual and proceeded to carry out the act, then it is considered first degree murder. Shooting or stabbing someone in the heart, would be considered first degree murder, as the offender deliberately acted with malice aforethought, and therefore intended to kill the victim. Second degree murder is a homicide in which, the person did not intend to kill the victim, but still wanted to hurt …show more content…
Homicides that involve killing more than three people at a time are categorized as mass murders. Mass murders; involve killing several people in the same event. Whereas serial murders, involve killing several individuals in separate events usually over the course of a long period of time such as weeks, or even months.
4. What are the two different types of assaults? What is the difference between an assault and a homicide?
One type of assault is aggravated assault. Aggravated assault is when a person illegally attacks another individual, with the intent of severe injury. Another type of assault is simple assault. Simple assault is an illegal attack, not involving a weapon in which the victim is not seriously injured. The difference between a homicide and an assault is; a homicide results in the death of the victim as opposed to an assault - which does not.
5. What is arson? Why is it difficult to obtain good statistics on arson?
The willful burning of, personal property of someone, a motor vehicle, commercial property, or a residential building, are all considered arson. Because only fires classified as arson are reported to agencies like the FBI, statistics on arson are limited. Fires that are suspicious, or the cause could not be determined, are not included in the official arson