Violent Crimes

Mens Rea

the mindset or intention associated with the act; determines whether the person acted intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently

• the guilty mind

Actus Reus

This refers to the physical act of committing a crime or a failure to act (omission) when legally required.

• the guilty act

Homicide (umbrella term)

murder

manslaughter

“Justifiable Homicide”

Types of Killing

Manslaughter vs. Murder

Involuntayr Manslaughter

Voluntary Manslaughter

Murder

Manslaughter

killing someone without malice, usually due to recklessness or sudden emotion

Murder

killing someone intentionally with malice (evil intent or reckless disregard for life

Voluntary Manslaughter

killing in the heat of passion or after being provoked (not premeditated)

• EX: someone kills in a sudden fight after being insulted

Involuntary Manslaughter

killing caused by recklessness or negligence, without intent to kill

• Ex: a drunk driver accidentally hits and kills someone

1st Degree Murder

intentional and premeditated killing of another person

• Ex: person carefully plans to poison someone over several days and then carries it out

Justifiable Homicide

• the killing of a felon by a peace officer in the line of duty

• the killing of a felon, during the commission of a felony, by a private citizen

Accidental Homicide

behave legally but someone dies

Assault

act of threatening or attempting to harm someone, even is no physical contact occurs

• does not result in death

• Ex: A person raises their fist and threatens to punch someone, making them fear they will be hit

Aggravated Assault

form of assault that involves a weapon, serious injury, or intent to cause great harm

• Ex: a person attacks someone with a knife, causing severe injuries

Intimate Partner Violence

• common couple violence

• mutual violent control

• violent retaliation

• patriarchal terrorism

Common Couple Violence

occasional arguments between partners that turn physical, but neither partner tries to control the other

• Ex: a couple gets into a heated argument, and one pushes the other out of frustration, but it doesn’t happen regularly

Mutual Violent Control

both partners use violence to dominate or control each other

• Ex: A couple frequently fights physically, with both trying to control decisions in the relationship through aggression

Violent Retaliation

One partner fights back violently after experiencing abuse but does not seek long-term control
- Ex: A woman who has been physically abused by her partner strikes back in self-defense during an argument.

Patriarchal Terrorism

One partner (typically a man) uses ongoing violence and control to dominate the other (typically a woman)
- Ex: A husband regularly beats his wife, isolates her from friends, and controls her finances to maintain power over her

Psychology of Violence

psychological, relational and emotional circumstances that inspire or evoke violence

Sociology of Violence

social structures, social scripts and social roles which enable and intensify violence

• societal level patterns, not individual traits

Messner’s 4 Factors of Group Sexual Assault

• Group Loyalty and Secrecy

• Status and Power

• Alcohol and Party Culture

• Gender and Masculinity Pressures

Radicalization

a person starts watching extremist content online, adopts radical views, and eventually joins a violent group

• especially against civilians

• agential and emotional

Radical Opinion

sympathize with radical beliefs

• justifies violence

• compulsion to engage in violent action

Radical Action

inactivity

• engaging in action

• engaging in illegal action “Radicals”

• engaging in illegal action targeting civilians “Terrorist”