Final answer:
Deadly force is any force capable of causing death or serious injury. The deadly force triangle includes three components: capability, opportunity, and intent. All three must be present for the use of deadly force to be justifiable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term deadly force refers to any force that is likely to cause death or serious physical injury. In law enforcement and military contexts, certain criteria must be met before deadly force is considered lawful and justified. One common framework for evaluating the use of deadly force is the deadly force triangle, which includes three main components: capability, opportunity, and intent.
- Capability refers to an assailant's ability to cause death or serious bodily harm. It can be determined by factors such as the possession of a weapon or the physical strength to inflict damage.
- Opportunity means that an assailant is in a position to use the capability to cause harm. This often involves being within effective range or having a clear path of attack.
- Intent involves the assailant’s clear indication or display of a willingness to cause death or serious injury. Verbal threats or aggressive actions can signal intent.
All three components of the deadly force triangle must be present for the use of deadly force to be deemed justifiable. If only one or two components are present, it may not constitute a legal use of deadly force. The concept is widely taught in law enforcement training to assist officers in making split-second decisions when faced with potential threats.