What are the key elements of a crime?

The key elements of a crime are actus reus, mens rea, and causation.

Actus reus refers to the physical act of committing a crime or the unlawful omission of an act that one is legally obligated to perform. This component emphasizes that for an act to be deemed criminal, there must be an action or a failure to act (in the case of neglect) that is legally defined as a violation.

Mens rea, on the other hand, pertains to the mental state or intent of the individual at the time the crime was committed. It addresses whether the person had the intention to commit the crime or was aware of the act’s criminal nature. Various levels of intent can impact the classification of the crime and the degree of culpability.

Causation is the relationship between the act and the resulting harm or consequence. It establishes that the defendant’s actions directly caused the outcome—such as a victim's injury or death—necessary for establishing liability in criminal law.

While other options mention relevant concepts, they do not encompass the fundamental legal elements required to establish a crime in most jurisdictions. For instance, intent and opportunity, while relevant in assessing a suspect's capability to commit a crime, do not serve as foundational elements of a crime themselves