What term describes force intended to cause death or serious bodily injury?

The term that describes force intended to cause death or serious bodily injury is "deadly force." This concept is critical in law enforcement and self-defense situations, where the use of such force is often strictly regulated and justified only under specific circumstances, such as the imminent threat to life.

Understanding deadly force is essential for police officers as they are trained to assess situations where lethal measures may or may not be necessary. The legal standards surrounding deadly force can vary by jurisdiction but generally focus on whether the use of such can be considered reasonable under the situation's circumstances.

In contrast, excessive force refers to the application of more physical power than necessary in a given situation, whereas reasonable force pertains to the minimum amount of force required to achieve a lawful objective. Proper force, while a term that might imply acceptable levels of force, is less commonly used in legal contexts than the more specifically defined terms related to law enforcement measures.