At its core the term "culpable homicide" refers to an unlawful killing which is not classified as murder due to the evil intention of killing being absent. It is a term that is used in Scottish law and amongst several places and countries where the English Common Law system of Justice is administered. It is equitable to the term manslaughter.
Culpable homicide is classified into two broad categories voluntary and involuntary culpable homicide. A culpable homicide is thus classified on the basis of the "mens rea" being present or not. The Latin term "mens rea" translates to "guilty mind" and is one of the basic principles used in Criminal Law. It comes from the Latin phrase that goes "actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea" which means "the act will not make a person guilty unless the mind is also guilty".
Culpable homicide is classified into two broad categories voluntary and involuntary culpable homicide. A culpable homicide is thus classified on the basis of the "mens rea" being present or not. The Latin term "mens rea" translates to "guilty mind" and is one of the basic principles used in Criminal Law. It comes from the Latin phrase that goes "actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea" which means "the act will not make a person guilty unless the mind is also guilty".
