***PROFILNG***Profiling, racial profiling or positive profiling (let’s face it, it’s pretty much all the same) is the singling out of individuals or groups because of a certain way they look, act, talk, sound (yes that’s right ‘they kinda sounded like they were speaking Arabic’) and dress as a possible suspect in criminal or terrorist activity.From the AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL WEBSITE:A year-long study conducted by the Domestic Human Rights Program of Amnesty International USA found that the unlawful use of race in police, immigration, and airport security procedures has expanded since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The study further found that state laws provide insufficient and inconsistent protection against profiling. Despite promises by President George W. Bush shortly after his taking office to end racial profiling, the number of American ethnic, racial, and religious groups whose members are at high risk of being subjected to this scourge has increased substantially. To address this growing national problem, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA), urges the White House and Congress to prioritize and enact the End Racial Profiling Act of 2004 and allocate sufficient funds for its vigorous enforcement...."We were looking for a white van with white people, and we ended up with a blue car with black people." – Washington DC Police Chief Charles Ramsey on ending the search for the "Washington Area Snipers."***PASSENGER PROFILING***The events of 9/11 in the US and 7/7 in the UK has led to increased calls for passenger profiling which means singling out travellers as possible threats. The US government openly admits to profiling whereas the UK is reluctant to openly admit that profiling takes place.None of the terrorists who perpetrated the atrocities of 9/11 and 7/7 looked like the Hollywood stereotype of a terrorist or for that matter, a member of the Taliban.“Any measures introduced have got to be intelligence-led and not beard-led,” said Shahid Malik, UK MP, Labour Party.In Britain there is now a perception that you can be a suspect if ‘travelling whilst Asian’ or ‘whilst looking Asian’ Let’s not forget Jean Charles de Menezes. Mr Menezes was shot at a London Underground station after police mistook him for a bomber or more to the point because he ‘looked Asian’?So does profiling work? Where do you draw the line? What criteria do you use? Is there a fine line between legitimate suspicion and racial prejudice? You decide.