Profiling collapses the evidence of a link into the proof that the link exists

Evidence

In the post-9/11 environment, few are surprised that individuals with life histories such as Almrei’s should come to the attention of security services. What is noteworthy, however, is that at his hearing, Hassan Almrei’s life history suffices to make the case that he is a terrorist or will become one. No longer simply about ‘targeting individuals who possess identifiable attributes that is [sic] believed to bear positive statistical correlations to particular kinds of misconduct,’ in the post-9/11 period the profile now performs an additional function. It targets and condemns through launching Hassan Almrei into a state of exception, a place in law where he has limited due-process rights. — Sherene Razack, Casting Out, 73 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Mass-tort causation disputes turn on proving distinctive links absent identifying evidence; Killer profiles generate many false positives and miss most loners; Profile-based suspicion makes innocence and deception equally incriminating (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• Profiles shifted from statistical targeting tools to proof of guilt itself #corroborates (0.92) — Sherene Razack, Casting Out, 73