"Offender" and "culprit": different shades of guilt

What is similar?

Both "offender" and "culprit" refer to someone who has committed a wrongdoing or offense. They are used to describe individuals responsible for misdeeds, crimes, or violations, and can appear in legal or informal contexts.

What is different?

"Offender" is a general term often used in legal contexts to describe someone who has broken a law or rule, without necessarily specifying the particular act. It emphasizes the violation of laws or regulations. "Culprit" specifically refers to the person responsible for a particular offense or problem and is often used when identifying or seeking the source of that specific issue. "Culprit" can also be used metaphorically for non-human causes of problems, whereas "offender" typically refers to people.

Which one is more common?