Culpable homicide

Culpable homicide is a categorisation of certain offences in various jurisdictions within the Commonwealth of Nations which involves the homicide (illegal killing of a person) either with or without an intention to kill, or both, depending upon how a particular jurisdiction has defined the offence.

In India and Singapore, the definition of culpable homicide is roughly equivalent to the common law offences of murder and voluntary manslaughter in other jurisdictions, distinguishing between the two in terms of severity. In Scotland, where the term originates, culpable homicide can be both voluntary and involuntary, whereas in South Africa it can only be the latter.