cul·prit 
/ˈkʌlprət/ noun
plural cul·prits /ˈkʌlprət/ noun [count] : a person who has committed a crime or done something wrong
▪ The police eventually located the culprits. — often used figuratively ▪ Lack of exercise and poor diet are the chief/main/real culprits in heart disease.
▪ The police eventually located the culprits. — often used figuratively ▪ Lack of exercise and poor diet are the chief/main/real culprits in heart disease.
