Murder is a criminal offense that carries harsh penalties in common-law systems. To qualify as murder, actions must be motivated by intent to kill or cause serious bodily harm and a depraved indifference to human life. These characteristics are often present in mass shootings, which can be categorized as first-degree murder. In order to secure a conviction, prosecutors must also show that the perpetrator planned the killing before it occurred. Premeditation is usually reflected in how much time was taken to prepare for the act and weigh options, but it can also be inferred from evidence such as carefully selected weapons or the location of the victim at the crime scene.

It’s difficult for a detective to determine whether an incident was a murder case unless they can find out who had access to the victim and where they were murdered. This can be accomplished by looking at clues at the crime scene, analyzing witness statements, and weeding out red herrings from true leads. This is why it’s so important for detectives to follow every lead, no matter how silly or contrived it seems. If the episodes of Unusual Suspects like Sky Alland’s (Driven to Murder, ep 4) execution-style death teach us anything, it’s that no lead is too small for investigators to pursue.

Although the distinction between murder and manslaughter is well-established in the legal system, it can be difficult to grasp in a given situation. The difference between the two lies in a defendant’s mens rea, or mental state, when the action was committed. Generally, acts that involve premeditation and deliberation are classified as murder, while those resulting from recklessness may be charged with manslaughter.