 the unborn victims of violence act of 2004 (public law 108-212) is a united states law which recognizes a child in utero as a legal victim, if they are injured or killed during the commission of any of over 60 listed federal crimes of violence. the law defines "child in utero" as "a member of the species homo sapiens, at any stage of development, who is carried in the womb". text of unborn victims of violence act. the law is codified in two sections of the united states code: title 18, chapter 1 (crimes), Â§1841 (18 usc 1841) and title 10, chapter 22 (uniform code of military justice) Â§919a (article 119a). the law applies only to certain offenses over which the united states government has jurisdiction, including certain crimes committed on federal properties, against certain federal officials and employees, and by members of the military. in addition, it covers certain crimes that are defined by statute as federal offenses wherever they occur, no matter who commits them, such as certain crimes of terrorism. because of principles of federalism embodied in the united states constitution, federal criminal law does not apply to crimes prosecuted by the individual states. however, 38 states also recognize the fetus or "unborn child" as a crime victim, at least for purposes of homicide or feticide.[http:
108th_United_States_Congress 2004_in_law Legal_issues_in_pregnancy United_States_federal_abortion_legislation United_States_federal_criminal_legislation