Which term means force that is intended or known by the actor to cause death or serious bodily injury?

• A. Nonlethal force
• B. Deadly Force
• C. Justified force
• D. Soft force

Answer: (B)

The main idea is understanding what deadly force means. Deadly force is force that is intended to cause death or serious bodily harm, or force used with knowledge that it would likely cause death or serious bodily harm. This focuses on the actor’s intent or awareness of the risk at the moment of action.

Nonlethal force is any force not intended to cause death or serious harm; it aims to control or neutralize without risking deadly outcomes. Soft force isn’t a standard, official term for level of force in most policies. Justified force refers to whether using force was legally permissible given the circumstances, not the inherent level of force itself.

So the term that matches the description—intent or knowledge of causing death or serious bodily harm—is deadly force.