Final answer:
A start event in BPMN can catch a message, indicating that a process is started by the receipt of a message. It can also be a timer event but is not designed to throw messages.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding start events in the context of business process modeling, specifically in BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation), it's important to understand the characteristics of such events. A start event can indeed catch a message; this is when the process is initiated by the receipt of a message. Contrary to the options provided, a start event can also be a timer event, where the start of the process is scheduled for a specific time or based on a periodic timer. It is not designed to throw a message, as throwing implies sending and start events are about how a process is initiated. Furthermore, a start event can definitely be a message event; this is a common way to trigger processes in response to incoming communication. Therefore, the correct answer is: a. A start event can catch a message.