_____ means force that is intended or known by the actor to cause, or in the manner of its use or intended use is, capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.

• A. Lethal Force
• B. Deadly Force
• C. Excessive force
• D. Nonlethal Force

Answer: (B)

Deadly force refers to force that is intended to cause death or serious bodily injury, or used in a way that could cause such harm. The description in the question matches this definition exactly, since it covers both an intent to cause death or serious injury and a use or manner that is capable of producing that outcome. Lethal force is often used interchangeably in conversation, but this wording emphasizes the combination of intent or knowledge and the potential to cause serious harm, which is what makes deadly force the correct term here. Excessive force focuses on whether the amount of force used was more than necessary for the situation, and nonlethal force is designed to avoid causing death or serious injury, so they don’t fit the criteria given.