THERMAL IMAGING Tech a New Battle Used On Both Sides Of The Fence

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Sept. 2, 2014 - PRLog -- As we are moving towards the future, my 13 year old son “CJ” a 2 time Computer Challenge champion was working on project and was speaking on his STEM teammates wanting him to develop an application for a robot that uses infrared camera (IC). This APP would have a robot process the difference of task and movement in areas. So I thought people would be paranoid about could this technology see through walls or clothing.  The best way to explain this is “no not really”, these cameras only “see” heat as it radiates off of an object. It may “see” the heat coming from a house, but it can’t see into the house because the camera picks up the house’s exterior thermal image first.

In fact, the thermal imaging doesn’t even see through glass because the glass has its own profile. As for example, a crazed suspect had a gun concealed under his shirt, the exterior of the shirt appears “cooler” to the technology and indicate to Law Enforcement that potentially a suspect may be concealing a gun.

A thermal imaging camera, also known as infrared camera (IC), has ability to detect heat levels that are given off by a person and objects. This technology is equipped with lenses, exactly like visible light cameras. The lens focuses on waves of the infrared energy presented in all objects onto an infrared sensor array. Hundreds of Thousands of sensors on an array can convert the infrared energy into electrical signals, which create a video like image. The (IC) calculates and displays a profile known as a “thermal profile” of the objects in direct relation to the temperature of surrounding objects. As an example in the famous “Predator” movie the objects and humans are seen as warmer than the surrounding air, appears “white” while the cooler surrounding air or buildings will appear in varying shades of gray. Could this technology be helpful to Law Enforcement or abused by Criminal Elite?

Imagine thermal imaging used in evidence collection. The tech can help officers facilitate their investigations to spot an object or items that a suspect discarded while being pursued, ultimately used to gather evidence to uncover incidents of evidence tampering at a crime scene. Executing search warrants, investigations and cyber-crimes divisions may in some instances use these cameras to scan for objects that were intentionally hidden in interior walls, to include drugs, weapons, or money. Objects used in this manner instantly act like insulation in the walls, and could create an alternative image in a specific area of the wall in comparison with the surrounding wall stud spacing.

So what’s in store for Law Enforcement will help a number of important ways. Primarily, it will aide Law Enforcement in safety by identifying  deviants who are  hiding in bushes or in darkest areas, actually it can “see” an individual hiding behind  objects i.e. a boxes or trash cans if that person radiates enough heat to cast a thermal image around the object. The intense possibilities could even help in vehicle as well as foot pursuits. Thermal cameras see suspects running in the dark, even through the trees which has cover. A vehicle radiates a lot of heat; both during and after its use. The heat shows up not only from the engine, but also from the tires, brakes and exhaust. Using an infrared imager, Departments that have access to a police aircraft can track a suspect’s vehicle easily from the air, even if its headlights are turned off. Likewise, a patrol car, using a vehicle mounted imager, can track a suspect’s vehicle in a crowded parking lot or remote area by detecting the heat of the recently driven vehicle. Amazingly are also used to identify a recently driven car (by the warmth off of the hood), or in some cases even the heat of the skid marks left by a suspect car fleeing the area. Now we shed light on great uses of infrared imaging technology which can help law enforcement professionals deflect crime. A thermal imager measures very small temperature changes that ordinarily cannot be viewed by the naked eye, allowing you to see in no- or low-light situations.

For Officers at night, infrared imagers can be used to identify extreme threats like suspects that are hidden, dogs and dangerous obstacles. When approaching a burning building or vehicle, an officer can quickly scan through the smoke to see the extent of the fire or to look for victims. With this counter surveillance not only can an officer identify dangers, he or she can see without being seen. In addition, infrared imagers can see through visible obscurants such as dust and dense smoke.

Now the use by criminals, The Flir Company developed an IPhone infrared scanner that can be purchased at the IPhone store, the equipment attaches to the phone and could scan waves easily after you enter your “PIN” number.  Minutes after you depart a credit card terminal and or a bank ATM; a criminal could by color waves identify up to 80% accuracy and 50% after 1minute the “PIN” number pattern. This could make never make Skimming obsolete but more difficult in investigations. Creating cloned credit cards is a lengthy process and this would only require the possession of the physical cards. Even if you shield the keypad it is not enough. When two objects interact it leaves a thermal image. Now Metal key pads have a difficult read and the waves are dispensed out. Rubber and plastic have been the most easy to figure out with a reader.

The best tip I can give to safe guard yourself from leaving a thermal signature would be to not let signature be direct but by resting figures over other keys while you punch in your code will be a handy method. This measure will give a meaningless and or non-identifiable heat signature showing all numbers active. This technique defends and gives you a precaution; with no extra effort.

So in review of Infrared Technology, it is indicative Law Enforcement can benefit greatly from the capabilities of the unseen dangers but we still need to be aware that in wrong hands has major use to be perverted by Criminals who can use it to figure “PIN” numbers which will have a profound effect on how we all view our future in technology.