Which term describes the practice of accusing individuals of crimes based solely on their race?

The practice of accusing individuals of crimes based solely on their race is best described by the term racial profiling. This concept specifically refers to law enforcement actions that target individuals for suspicion of crime based on their race or ethnic background rather than any specific evidence or behavior indicative of criminal activity.

Racial profiling undermines the principle of equal treatment under the law and can lead to significant societal issues, including the erosion of trust between communities and law enforcement. This practice is often criticized for perpetuating stereotypes and injustices within the legal system, as it can result in undue harassment or criminalization of individuals based solely on their race.

While discrimination, prejudice, and bias are related concepts, they encompass broader attitudes and actions that may not be limited to law enforcement or crime-related contexts. Discrimination refers to unfair treatment of individuals based on various characteristics including race, gender, or religion; prejudice involves preconceived judgments or opinions about groups; and bias denotes a tendency to favor or oppose a person or group unfairly. However, racial profiling is specifically focused on the intersection of race and the presumption of criminality, making it the most precise term for the practice described in the question.