Which of the following describes the act of homicide?

The act of homicide is specifically defined as the deliberate and unlawful killing of one person by another. This definition captures the essence of homicide, which encompasses both the intentionality behind the act and the fact that it occurs in violation of the law. Homicide can include various forms of unlawful killings, such as murder and manslaughter, depending on the circumstances and the intent involved.

Understanding this definition is crucial as it differentiates homicide from other forms of killing. For instance, lawful killings, such as those conducted by law enforcement under certain circumstances or in self-defense, do not fall under the definition of homicide. Similarly, accidental killings are not classified as homicide unless there is gross negligence or recklessness involved, which would elevate it to a different legal classification. Killing an animal does not pertain to homicide since it specifically refers to the killing of a human being. Therefore, answer C is the accurate description of homicide in a legal context.