What term describes the conduct that causes a reasonable person to fear bodily injury or death?

The term that describes the conduct causing a reasonable person to fear bodily injury or death is "assault." Assault is defined as an act that intends to place a person in fear of imminent bodily harm. It doesn’t require physical contact but rather focuses on the threat and perception created in the mind of the victim.

While harassment can involve abusive behaviors that cause distress, it doesn’t specifically address the aspect of imminent fear of injury or death. Stalking typically involves repeated and unwanted attention that causes fear, but it’s more about the pattern of behavior rather than the immediate threat of harm. Threatening behavior implies a direct act of making threats but does not encompass all actions or conducts that can instill fear in a person regarding bodily harm.

Understanding the precise legal definitions and implications of these terms is crucial for law enforcement personnel, as they can each relate to different aspects of criminal behavior and intervention strategies.