What is the term for a person who commits a crime?

The correct term for a person who commits a crime is "perpetrator." This word specifically refers to an individual who carries out or is responsible for a criminal act. It emphasizes their role as the one who commits the offense, distinguishing them from others involved in the situation, such as victims, witnesses, or accomplices. Understanding the term "perpetrator" is crucial in legal contexts, where the focus is on identifying who is responsible for the wrongdoing.

Victim refers to a person who suffers harm as a result of a crime; a witness is someone who sees an event, typically a crime, occur and can provide an account of it; and an accomplice is someone who assists another in committing a crime but may not have been the primary actor in the actual crime itself. Each of these roles plays a different part in the legal system, but "perpetrator" is the specific designation for the individual committing the criminal act.