Blog 20

Criminal profiling can be an effective way of determining how a criminal will behave and predicting their actions.  It is possible to use clues and information about an offender in order to figure out more information about them.  But at times, stereotypes can affect your judgment and cause you to make inferences that may not be true.  In the article, Racial Profiling in the Police Subculture, the author describes how racial profiling is used by the police and what the affects are. In the article it explains, “What critics label as racially motivated practices, police view as sound, work-related criminal profiling” (Chan 76).  It is possible that police may use racial profiling without realizing it.  With criminal profiling, it is assumed that all offenders will commit crimes in a similar manner.  If offenders do not behave rationally, it is almost impossible to predict their behavior.  But, basing someone’s actions on their race is not a legitimate form of criminal profiling.  It is believed that some police officers use racial profiling as a means of determining a suspect’s innocence.  They may assume that since they are from a certain race that they are more likely to be guilty.  You need to understand how someone will act in order to predict their behavior.  Although this may not be considered a negative effect of stereotyping, it is still a form a stereotyping.  You are basing your decisions on the preconceptions you have.  But, you cannot assume someone did something simply based on their culture or ethnicity.  This is not a sound judgment and does not incorporate any investigation.