offender
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offender
A person who has committed one or more criminal acts and can be or has been prosecuted for them legally.
Die Polizei konnte den Straftäter kurz nach der Tat festnehmen.
The police were able to arrest the offender shortly after the crime.
The word is made up of 'Straf-' (from 'die Strafe' (the punishment/penalty)) and 'Täter' (perpetrator). A 'Täter' is someone who commits an act. So a 'Straftäter' (offender) is literally a person who commits a punishable act.
Der Täter wurde wegen seiner Straftat zu einer Geldstrafe verurteilt.
The perpetrator was sentenced to a fine for his criminal offense.
'Straftäter' (offender) is a formal term from legal and official language. It is used mainly in official contexts, such as with the police, in court, or in the news.
In dem Bericht der Polizei wird der Verdächtige als mehrfacher Straftäter beschrieben.
In the police report, the suspect is described as a repeat offender.
Common verbs used with 'Straftäter' (offender) are 'einen Straftäter fassen' (to catch an offender), 'festnehmen' (to arrest), 'verurteilen' (to convict/sentence), or 'überführen' (to prove someone guilty).
Die Polizei hofft, den Straftäter bald fassen zu können.
The police hope to be able to catch the offender soon.
perpetrator / culprit
'der Täter' and 'der Straftäter' are closely related when it comes to a criminal act. 'der Täter' often refers to a specific act: people talk about the perpetrator of a theft, a hit-and-run accident, or an attack. 'der Straftäter' sounds more legal and more general. It emphasizes that the person has committed a criminal offense and can be legally responsible for it. In police reports or official texts, 'Straftäter' is very appropriate. In everyday language or when talking about a specific act, 'Täter' is often more natural.
Der Straftäter muss mit einer Geldstrafe rechnen.
The offender must expect a fine.
Der Täter hat die Scheibe eingeschlagen und ist danach weggelaufen.
The perpetrator smashed the window and then ran away.