Legal Definitions - profiling

Profiling is a law enforcement practice where race, national origin, or ethnicity is used as a basis for suspicion of criminal activity. This is also known as racial profiling.

For example, in the past, police officers would stop a disproportionate number of African-American male drivers on the assumption that they were more likely to be involved in criminal activity. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, profiling was also used to search and interrogate Middle Eastern men at airports.

Profiling is controversial because it can lead to discrimination and unfair treatment of individuals based on their race or ethnicity. It is important for law enforcement to use other factors, such as behavior and evidence, to determine suspicion of criminal activity.