Which term refers to weapon fire that accidentally injures or kills members of one's own team?

Study for the Utah POST Law Enforcement Officer Exam. Enhance your skills with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Prepare for your exam successfully!

The term that refers to weapon fire that accidentally injures or kills members of one's own team is fratricide. This term originates from the Latin words "frater" meaning brother, and "cidium" meaning killing. Fratricide occurs in both military and law enforcement contexts when an individual or unit unintentionally causes harm to their allies or comrades during combat or operations. Understanding fratricide is crucial for law enforcement officers as it emphasizes the importance of communication, identification, and coordination within teams to prevent such tragic incidents.

Collateral damage refers to unintended damage or injury inflicted on non-combatants during military operations but does not specifically denote harm to one's own team members. Crossfire describes a situation where two opposing forces exchange gunfire, which could potentially harm individuals caught in the midst of the exchange, but it does not exclusively refer to friendly fire incidents. Counterfire pertains to returning fire at an enemy to suppress or eliminate their threat and does not involve unintentional harm to one's own personnel. Hence, fratricide is the most accurate term for the described scenario.

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