ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

A heinous crime is characterized by its gravity and brutality, particularly when it involves severe harm or violence against an individual. The term "heinous" typically refers to acts that are shockingly wicked or reprehensible, demonstrating a high level of moral depravity. Such crimes often evoke strong emotional responses from society due to their violent nature and the suffering they impose on victims.

In contrast, minor theft is not considered heinous due to its relatively low severity. Crimes committed without planning may also lack the premeditation that characterizes more severe offenses and do not necessarily reflect the same level of moral reprehensibility that heinous crimes do. Economic fraud, while serious, typically does not involve physical harm to a person and often engages different legal considerations compared to violent crimes. Thus, the definition aligns most clearly with acts that are grave and brutal towards individuals, underscoring the nature of heinous crimes.