What term describes the act of singling out an individual as a suspect due to their appearance or ethnicity?

The term that describes the act of singling out an individual as a suspect due to their appearance or ethnicity is racial profiling. This practice involves law enforcement or other authorities forming assumptions about someone’s behavior or potential for criminal activity based on their race, ethnicity, or physical appearance. Racial profiling is a significant issue as it can lead to biased treatment in policing and justice, undermining trust in law enforcement agencies and contributing to systemic discrimination.

While discrimination, prejudice, and stereotyping are related concepts, they encompass broader ideas. Discrimination refers to the unfair treatment of individuals based on characteristics such as race, gender, or age. Prejudice denotes preconceived opinions or attitudes about individuals or groups without sufficient knowledge. Stereotyping involves oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a group of people. Racial profiling specifically targets the intersection of race and the presumption of criminality, making it distinct from the broader concepts of discrimination, prejudice, and stereotyping.