Which word describes criminal falsification?

The word that describes criminal falsification is "forgery." Forgery specifically refers to the act of unlawfully altering or creating a document, signature, or any sort of representation with the intent to deceive. This could involve anything from signing someone else's name to producing fake identification or money. The term encompasses various forms of deceit and is firmly rooted in legal definitions related to fraud and deception.

Understanding this term is crucial when discussing topics related to law, ethics, or criminal justice, as it directly ties to acts that undermine trust and legality. The other options do not fit this definition: "figment" refers to something that is made up or imaginary; "harangue" is a lengthy and aggressive speech; and "heretofore" relates to something that has occurred up to this point in time. Therefore, "forgery" is the appropriate term associated with criminal falsification.