noun
victim (of a crime, esp. murder)
Police jargon; used specifically for victims of crimes, especially homicide. Not a general term for 'victim' in everyday language.
警察は害者の身元を確認した。
The police identified the victim.
事件の害者は20代の男性だった。
The victim of the incident was a man in his twenties.
The standard, general term for 'victim' in both legal and everyday contexts. 害者 is a clipped form used almost exclusively in police jargon.
Abbreviation of 被害者 (ひがいしゃ, 'victim'), used as police jargon.