Which statement best defines 'homicide'?

The definition of 'homicide' encompasses the act of one human being causing the death of another. This broad definition includes various forms of killing, which can range from murder and manslaughter to justifiable homicides. It is important to note that while other definitions provided may fit specific categories of homicide, such as murder or justifiable killing, the correct answer captures the foundational essence of the term without additional qualifiers, making it applicable to all circumstances involving the unlawful killing of another person.

In contrast, the other options specify certain conditions that narrow the definition. For instance, the second statement pertains to lawful killings, which would typically fall outside the general definition of homicide as they are justifiable under law. Similarly, the third option restricts the definition to intentional killings, excluding cases that may involve negligence or recklessness, which can also constitute homicide. The fourth option adds a requirement of malice aforethought, which specifically refers to a certain mental state associated with murder but does not uniformly apply to all forms of homicide, including manslaughter. Therefore, the broadest and most encompassing definition is the first statement, which accurately reflects the essence of homicide.