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| | The Concept of Racial Profiling |
 | | However, race, ethnicity, and gender are also characteristics that are merely descriptive in nature, and since police depend on descriptions to apprehend criminals or those planning crimes, the question arises whether and when race, ethnicity, or gender alone might be appropriate and justified characteristics on which police ought to act. |
 | | Hence, if an ethnic, racial, or gender description is sufficiently narrowing in a particular circumstance, it ought to be allowed as evidence for probable cause, or as justification, to initiate police activity in regard to a particular individual or group of individuals. |
 | | Clearly if racial profiling would be ineffective, there is no point in using it, but it is far from clear that it is any less effective in catching or deterring (potential) criminals than would be any non-racial, non-ethnic description, trait, or action which narrows the probability of detecting the actual perpetrator by the same degree. |
| www.garlikov.com /philosophy/profiling.htm (2706 words) |
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