Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) Practice Exam

What is defined as homicide?

1. The act of someone taking their own life

2. The act of one human killing another, by either act or omission

3. Any death that occurs without intent

4. The termination of life under criminal circumstances only

The correct answer is: The act of one human killing another, by either act or omission

The definition of homicide is the act of one human killing another, which encompasses both actions and omissions resulting in death. This definition includes various forms of homicide, such as murder and manslaughter, and recognizes that both deliberate acts (e.g., shootings, stabbings) and failures to act (e.g., neglect leading to death) can constitute homicide. The other options reflect incorrect or incomplete definitions. Taking one's own life is classified as suicide and does not fall under homicide. A broader definition of death without intent may describe other forms of killing but does not adhere to the legal definition of homicide, which requires that one human be responsible for the death of another. Lastly, terminating life under criminal circumstances may denote murder but fails to encompass the full spectrum of actions considered homicide, such as accidental or negligent killings that are still classified as homicide in legal contexts.