a crime against humanity, such as deliberate killing of civilians or mistreatment of prisoners, committed during a war. The most notorious example of war crimes in recent history are those committed by Nazi Germany during World War II. In 1946, at the Nuremberg Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany, 24 leading Nazis were tried by the victorious allied powers for war crimes. Nineteen were found guilty and 12 were sentenced to death. The subject came up again in the context of the 1992-95 war in Bosnia, where atrocities perpetrated by Serbs against Moslem civilians led to war crimes charges being brought against Serb leaders.

a crime committed in wartime; violation of rules of war

a clearly defined legal concept just like any crime in the criminal code

a crime committed by the losing side

a crime that is committed by ignoring the rules of engagement, I think

a one of a number of violations of the law of armed conflict committed during an international or non-international armed conflict

a punishable offense, under inturrnational law , fo' vi'lations of th' law of war by enny purrson or purrsons, military or civiliann

a violation of established protections in laws and customs of war

In the context of war, a war crime is a punishable offense under International Law, for violations of the laws of war by any person or persons, military or civilian. Every violation of the law of war in an inter-state conflict is a war crime, while violations in internal conflicts are typically limited to the local jurisdiction. In essence, the term "war crime" represents the concept of an international jurisdiction as applicable to the most severe crimes, in areas where government is dysfunctional and society is in a state of turmoil.