Crimes are sometimes broadly classified or categorized by their nature—such as (1) crimes that are harmful to the victim’s body (assault, battery, rape, and murder) and are known as crimes against the person; and (2) crimes that are harmful to the victim by depriving him of his property or damaging his property and are known as crimes against property (criminal trespassing, burglary, robbery, bribery, blackmail, theft, arson).

In Indiana, crimes are indeed categorized by their nature, aligning with the broader classification of crimes against the person and crimes against property. Crimes against the person, such as assault (IC 35-42-2), battery (IC 35-42-2), rape (IC 35-42-4-1), and murder (IC 35-42-1-1), involve direct harm or threat of harm to individuals and are considered particularly serious, often carrying severe penalties. On the other hand, crimes against property, such as criminal trespass (IC 35-43-2), burglary (IC 35-43-2-1), robbery (IC 35-42-5), bribery (IC 35-44.1-1-1), blackmail (often prosecuted under extortion laws, IC 35-45-2-1), theft (IC 35-43-4-2), and arson (IC 35-43-1-1), involve the deprivation of property, damage to property, or interference with property rights. These offenses can range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on factors such as the value of the property involved, the presence of a weapon, and whether bodily injury occurred during the commission of the crime. Indiana's criminal code provides specific definitions and penalties for each of these offenses, reflecting the state's approach to deterring and punishing such conduct.