Unforgivable Curses

The Unforgivable Curses are three of the most powerful and sinister spells known to the wizarding world. They are tools of the Dark Arts and were first classified as "Unforgivable" in 1717, with the strictest penalties attached to their use.

The three curses consist of:

• Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra)
• Cruciatus Curse (Crucio)
• Imperius Curse (Imperio)

By the 1990s, using any of these three curses on a fellow human being, Muggle or wizard, would result in a life sentence in Azkaban without parole, unless there was sufficient evidence that the caster did so under the influence of the Imperius Curse. Many Dark wizards attempted to use this excuse to prevent themselves from incarceration if caught, particularly after the First Wizarding War.

Aurors were permitted to use them during the First Wizarding War, and during the height of the Second Wizarding War under Lord Voldemort's regime, the curses were made legal, though this would have been repealed following Tom Riddle's demise.