Definition of murder: Murder is defined as the unlawful killing of a person in being under the Queen's peace with malice aforethought. Steps: Establish the actus reus: Unlawful killing of a person in being under the queens peaceUnlawful killing: Not committed in self-defence Person in being: Person with brain stem activity Queen's peace: Not in time of warEstablish the mens rea: Malice aforethought Establish type of mens rea: Direct of oblique/indirect intent
Consider additional factors which may impact your conclusion such as thin skull rule and causation