Which element of deterrence is apparently the most important in terms of effectiveness?

Question

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Certainty of punishment is apparently the most important element of deterrence in terms of effectiveness. It means that the person who commits a crime must know that they will be caught and punished. If the criminal thinks that there is a good chance of escaping detection, then the severity of punishment will not matter. So, the key to deterrence is to create a fear of getting caught in the minds of potential offenders.

Which Element of Deterrence Is Apparently the Most Important in Terms