What characteristic best defines a person described as a "perpetrator"?

A person described as a "perpetrator" is best defined as being culpable, which means they are responsible for committing an offense or wrongdoing. This term is often used in legal and crime-related contexts to denote someone who has engaged in harmful or illegal actions. The implication is that they have actively contributed to an act that is considered immoral, unethical, or against the law.

In contrast, other options do not align with the definition of a perpetrator. Innocent refers to someone who has not committed any wrongdoing. Authoritative relates to having power or control, which doesn't necessarily connect to being a perpetrator. Defensive suggests a posture of protection or justification, which does not inherently imply wrongdoing. Thus, culpability is the defining characteristic that aligns with being a perpetrator.