Criminal profiling and “prejudicial (racial) profiling”
What is the difference between criminal profiling and “prejudicial (racial) profiling”? First define both concepts, then answer, are they legal, moral, or acceptable?
Second, if a criminal profile suggests that a probable suspect, a serial rapist for example, is a minority male under the age of 40. Does this change your answer? Explain?
Sample Answer
Criminal profiling is a technique used by law enforcement to develop a psychological profile of an unknown offender based on the crime scene evidence and victimology. The goal of criminal profiling is to identify the offender’s likely characteristics, such as their age, gender, race, occupation, and modus operandi. This information can then be used to narrow down the suspect pool and focus the investigation.
Prejudicial (racial) profiling is the practice of targeting individuals for suspicion or investigation based on their race, ethnicity, or other personal characteristics. This type of profiling is often based on stereotypes and prejudices, and it can lead to discrimination and unfair treatment.