ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

What constitutes capital murder according to legal definitions?

1. Murder of a victim who is less than 14 years old

2. Murder committed in the heat of passion

3. Murder committed during the act of robbery

4. Murder caused by negligence

The correct answer is: Murder committed during the act of robbery

Capital murder is typically defined as a particularly heinous form of homicide that carries severe legal penalties, often including the possibility of the death penalty. Among the options provided, the act of committing murder during the course of a robbery is a key criterion for classifying it as capital murder. This is because such circumstances elevate the severity of the crime due to the intent to commit a felony, which can constitute premeditated malice. Robbery inherently involves the use or threat of force and the intent to deprive a person of their property. When a murder occurs during the commission of a robbery, it highlights an increased level of danger to society and a disregard for human life, aligning with legal definitions of capital offenses. Therefore, this choice reflects the elements of both felony murder and the aggravated nature of the crime, justifying the harsher penalties associated with capital murder. The other options do not meet the specific legal criteria for capital murder. Murder of a victim who is less than 14 years old may involve significant legal consequences but does not inherently classify as capital murder without the context of additional aggravating factors. Similarly, murder committed in the heat of passion and murder caused by negligence imply varying degrees of culpability that typically do not rise to the level of intentional