TuesdayTips187

Deadly Vocabulary

For this week's #TuesdayTip, I thought it might be interesting to look at some of the language we use in crime fiction. Often these terms are bandied about with a somewhat sketchy understanding of their true meaning.
These terms below are typically used in English/Welsh law or are taken from various sources on the internet. I've done my best to distil them into an easy to use form, but I make no claims about the accuracy.
Enjoy!
Common terms for killers
Serial killer - 3 or more victims (some say 2), with a cooling off period between them.
Spree killer - 2 or more victims, perhaps in multiple locations, over a short period of time. There is debate over what constitutes a short period of time.
Mass killer - multiple victims, over a short period of time and in close proximity. Typically occurs in a single location.
The definition of a Spree killer vs a Mass killer can overlap, but as an example, a person who opens fire in a crowded space and kills multiple victims would be a Mass killer. One who kills people in several bouts as they escape police or go on a rampage might be a Spree Killer.


Offences in English/Welsh law
Murder - the act of unlawfully killing another person, with intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm, whilst of sound mind. (Note that as with any other crime, self-defence is a complete defence)
Manslaughter - a partial defence to a murder charge when all the elements of murder are present (sometimes including an intention to kill). There are several types of manslaughter.
Voluntary Manslaughter
The offence must fulfill one of the following criteria.

Diminished responsibility - an abnormality of mental functioning (at the time of the offence) or a recognised medical condition. In both cases, it must be determined if this substantially impaired the defendants judgement, understanding of their conduct or ability to exercise self-control.
Loss of control
Suicide Pact
Involuntary Manslaughter
Unlawful Act Manslaughter - an intentional unlawful act (not an omission) that a sober and reasonable person would believe subjects the victim to the risk of harm. Note: This does not include the supply of drugs or the helping preparation of drugs. The law assumes free will in this circumstance.
Gross Negligence Manslaughter - the breach of a general duty of care that could reasonably be conceived to result in a serious and obvious risk of death.
Corporate Manslaughter - a specialised form of Gross Negligence Manslaughter with separate guidance.
Honour-based killing - where a person is killed, sometimes by or on behalf of a family member/member of the community, because the victim is perceived to have brought shame on their family/community.
Euthanasia/Mercy Killing - the killing of a person who is suffering or in pain. Currently illegal in England/Wales.
Capital punishment - legalised use of the death penalty.

Deciding the icide.
We are all familiar with the most common words on this list, but here are a few more that you may not be familiar with. There are dozens out there!
Homicide - to kill a person
Suicide - to kill oneself
Matricide - to kill your mother
Patricide - to kill your father
Parricide/Parenticide - to kill your parents or a parent-like close relative
Fratricide - to kill your brother
Sororicide - to kill your sister
Siblicide - to kill a sibling/half-sibling
Infanticide - to kill an infant
Aborticide - to kill a foetus - more commonly known as an abortion
Foeticide - the killing of a foetus/embryo
Neonaticide - the killing of a newly-born baby. This can vary between one day and a month, depending on the jurisdiction
Uxoricide - killing of one's own wife
Mariticide - killing of one's own husband
Filicide - killing one's own children
Familicide - killing one's spouse and children - sometimes these people are colloquially known as a 'family annihilator'
Regicide - killing of a ruler (eg King or Queen)
Genocide - the systematic extermination of an entire national, racial, religious or ethnic group
Mad or Bad?
There are far better sources on the web than I can provide, but here is a simple primer to get you started.
Psychopath vs Sociopath - these common terms are not medical diagnoses. Instead they are regarded as traits that may be seen in those with AntiSocial Personality Disorder. They are often used interchangeably in popular fiction, but there are some differences. Generally speaking, sociopaths tend to act more impulsively and erratically. Sociopaths generally struggle to maintain a job or family life, unlike psychopaths who are more likely to be able to do so. Psychopaths generally struggle to form attachments, whilst sociopaths may, with a like-minded individual. Psychopaths may be better able to dissociate from their actions and feel less guilty than sociopaths.
In both cases (and commonly accepted in fiction), they are likely to disregard the law, act impulsively and deceitfully or irresponsibly. They can often be easily provoked or aggressive and fail to feel remorse.
Many psychopaths can act with a superficial charm and may be promiscuous. They can be manipulative, fail to accept personal responsibility and have a sense of grandiosity, yet lack (realistic) long-term goals.
Interestingly, it is believed that many long-running serial killers are not psycho/sociopaths, because the degree of organisation required to successfully keep ahead of the law is not common in those with Antisocial Personality Disorder.
Huge Caveat. Despite what some lazy journalists would have us believe, being a psycho/sociopath does not make one likely to be a violent offender. Studies have shown that many of these traits are found in successful business leaders and politicians (one in particular springs to mind!) who have never demonstrated violence. One can see how some of these characteristics might be beneficial in a competitive environment.
Narcissist - another commonly used term is narcissism. In its simplest terms, it is an excessive preoccupation with oneself and one's own needs, sometimes to the detriment of others. Most people are on a spectrum, but some are extreme and can be regarded as mentally ill (Narcissistic Personality Disorder). The same caveat as above applies.


Have I missed any words that you think should be here? Have I made any mistakes? As always, feel free to comment here or on social media.
Until next time,
Paul
If you are a writer with a tip to share, or fancy writing a fictional interview between you and one of your characters, please feel free to email me.