Surveillance Activities
Practicality criminals who know standard surveillance techniques may conceal their business by using tactics that disable light-sensing technologies. Bright headlights shined directly into a thermal imager will not affect the image on the screen, so an officer with a Thermal Image can look past the headlights and see clearly what is going on. If the imager is equipped with video out, officers can record footage for evidence at trial.
Firefighting
In a case where a structure may or may not be on fire, and firefighters need to pinpoint the source and potentially dangerous areas without the presence of flames or smoke, thermal imaging cameras can detect the source and intensity of the fire, which can make the firefighters’ job more efficient and safer.
Disturbed Surfaces
Every material absorbs heat and releases heat in a specific manner. Altering the material potentially changes its thermal signature, giving the thermal imager an opportunity to detect the location of any changes. Drywall that has been repaired or repainted to cover evidence will have a different thermal signature than the rest of the wall. Recently overturned earth will change the temperature of that area, as well as how it absorbs and releases heat. This could help to identify buried evidence. Body fillers and putties used in automobile repairs or to conceal compartments will heat and cool differently than the normal sheet metal, making them visible to a thermal images.
