A "culprit" is a term used to describe a person or thing responsible for a crime or wrongdoing. In legal contexts, the culprit is often the individual accused of committing an offense, such as theft or fraud. The identification of a culprit is crucial in criminal investigations, as it helps law enforcement agencies like the police to solve cases and bring justice. In everyday language, the word can also refer to the cause of a problem or negative situation. For example, if a computer malfunctions, the culprit might be a software bug or hardware failure. Understanding the culprit helps in addressing and resolving issues effectively.