Final answer:
The term 'homicide' includes any killing of a human being and is not necessarily a crime; it encompasses both criminal and legally justified cases, such as self-defense or state-sanctioned executions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "homicide" does indeed refer to the killing of a human being, but it is not always considered a crime. Homicide covers a range of acts, from illegal activities such as murder and manslaughter to legally permissible killings like self-defense or the execution of a death sentence. It's important to note that different jurisdictions may have varying definitions and categories of homicide. Instances where homicide is not seen as criminal include justifiable homicide, such as self-defense, and excusable homicide, which might occur accidentally without criminal intent.
For example, if a person kills another person in self-defense, this may be considered justifiable homicide and not a crime. Manslaughter, on the other hand, is a form of homicide that typically involves less moral blame than murder, like killing someone in a car accident due to negligence, and receives a different legal treatment. Additionally, certain planned killings that are sanctioned by the state, such as capital punishment, also fall under the category of homicide but are not illegal.