Just wondering. I hear that phrase pretty often in the news, but I never hear it well defined. Is it someone who kills a civilian? Someone who intentionally kills a civilian? Someone who boeys orders to kill civilians? Or is it just what we call the leaders of the losing side?

war crime
n.
Any of various crimes, such as genocide or the mistreatment of prisoners of war, committed during a war and considered in violation of the conventions of warfare.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_crime

I would have to assume that it is defined by one's failure to follow the quidelines of the Geneva Convention. And by that rational, I would assume that there are different degrees of war crimes and war criminals. Vague, but thats my best answer.

Definition
War crimes are defined in the statute that established the International Criminal Court, which includes:

Grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions, such as:
Willful killing, or causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health
Torture or inhumane treatment
Unlawful wanton destruction or appropriation of property
Forcing a prisoner of war to serve in the forces of a hostile power
Depriving a prisoner of war of a fair trial
Unlawful deportation, confinement or transfer
Taking hostages

The following acts as part of an international conflict:
Directing attacks against civilians
Directing attacks against humanitarian workers or UN peacekeepers
Killing a surrendered combatant
Misusing a flag of truce
Settlement of occupied territory
Deportation of inhabitants of occupied territory
Using poison weapons
Using civilian shields
Using child soldiers

The following acts as part of a non-international conflict:
Murder, cruel or degrading treatment and torture
Directing attacks against civilians, humanitarian workers or UN peacekeepers
Taking hostages
Summary execution
Pillage
Rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution or forced pregnancy



I guess I don't get how these things could be avoided in war. It sounds like anything other than "catch, disarm, and release" could be a war crime depending on popular opinion at the time.

Catch, disarm, detain seems to be an acceptable procedure. Or if they attack you, kill them.

I watched "Black Hawk Down" for probably the 10th time this past weekend, and couldn't help but wonder what goes through the minds of these teenagers thrown into war. I could only imagine Iraq is much harder. These kids must be scared out of their minds, so naturally there will be many acts that are considered war crimes by definition. I think war is war, and shit happens. To me, a war crime is commited when a soldier shoots detainies, or kills/harms anyone that clearly poses no threat. As was said in the movie "As soon as that first bullet flies past your head, politics go right out the window".

Dictionary definitions aside, i think a soldier commits a war crime whenever he acts on his own independent thought, or acts out of his own conscience, which are not warrented by his superiors.

in fact, it can be said that whenever he thinks, he's committed a war crime. If anyone wants to take it that far.