How is the term "culprit" best described?

The term "culprit" is best described as a person guilty of an illegal act. This term is often used in legal and criminal contexts to refer to an individual who has committed a crime or wrongdoing. It conveys a sense of accountability and blame, highlighting the individual's responsibility for the act in question. The use of "culprit" implies not only the commission of the offense but also suggests that this person has been identified or is suspected in relation to the crime.

In contrast, kindness is not associated with the term; a bystander does not actively engage in the wrongdoing, and a detective serves a different role by investigating rather than committing a crime. Therefore, the definition of "culprit" as a person guilty of an illegal act aligns perfectly with its usage and meaning in contexts involving accountability for offenses.