Which culpable mental state indicates a lack of awareness about a substantial risk?

The culpable mental state that indicates a lack of awareness about a substantial risk is criminal negligence. This state is characterized by a person's failure to perceive a risk that they should have been aware of, which constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care that a reasonable person would exercise under similar circumstances.

In contrast, intentionally reflects a person's deliberate desire to bring about a particular result, while knowing indicates a person is aware that their conduct will cause a certain result. Recklessly involves conscious disregard of a substantial and unjustifiable risk, meaning the individual is aware of the risk but chooses to act anyway. Criminal negligence differs fundamentally from these, as it pertains to an unawareness of the risk, rather than a conscious decision to ignore it.