Episode #042421: Selects: How Profiling Works

At its base, criminal profiling is a legitimate investigatory tool. The Supreme Court has drawn a clear line that bans profiling when it includes race. So why do we still do it? Take a closer look with Josh and Chuck in this classic episode.

AI Summary

In this SYSK Selects episode from 2015, Josh and Chuck dive deep into the controversial and divisive world of profiling—exploring everything from standard police bulletins and psychological profiling to the murky territory of predictive profiling and racial profiling. The episode breaks down how profiling can be legally justified in some cases but often crosses constitutional lines, examining real Supreme Court cases and explaining the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments that are supposed to protect citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. Plus, Chuck kicks things off by sharing the heartwarming news of his newly adopted daughter Ruby Rose and thanking all the wonderful people in Tulsa who supported his family during the adoption process.

Movies Discussed

Airplane II: The Sequel

1982 1h 25m

★ 6.1

"You realize you just described the subplot to Airplane, too? Remember Sonny Bono had the bomb? — Referenced as a comedic example of profiling gone wrong at an airport." — Chuck

Cops

1989

★ 6.6

"When you watch Cops, it's not always like, sometimes I will see on the TV show, they will pull over a white kid. — Discussed as a TV show that edits footage to show successful stops, creating a misleading impression of profiling effectiveness." — Josh

Law and Order

1953 1h 20m

★ 5.5

"Or for anybody who's watched enough Law and Order episodes, all you have to do is go, I smell pot. — Referenced as an example of how TV shows depict police obtaining probable cause." — Josh

Sherlock Holmes

2009 2h 9m

★ 7.2

"Sherlock Holmes was really good at that kind of thing. — Discussed as an example of psychological profiling in fictional media." — Chuck

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