Myth Busting Thermal Imaging

As a Thermal Imaging (TI) trainer, I travel to a variety of places and have the privilege of being able to train a large number of people. As a trainer, I've come to learn that the first thing I must do before I begin a session is to erase the myths surrounding thermal imaging.

It's been my experience that any technology that is different and not immediately understood falls victim to myths very quickly. Thermal Imaging myths can stem from many different origins. Generally, people who have never experienced thermal imaging first hand often revert to what I like to call the Hollywood Effect. When you ask someone if they've ever seen a TI in use, they usually respond, "Thermal Imaging. Oh yeah, I saw that once in a movie." That's where the trouble can start. Much like the creatures and bad guys we see on TV, seeing a TI used in a movie doesn't mean it's used the same way in reality. However, for most people, this myth isn't erased until they experience a TI first hand and see its true capabilities.

The Hollywood Effect can be a negative thing when the TI is seen with all sorts of space-aged special effects and abilities that are not a reality. Because of this, when some law enforcement officers get a TI they expect it to do magical things. The TI does have some amazing abilities, but these are often misunderstood without proper training and understanding. So let's look at some of the myths associated with a TI to give you a better understanding of what your TI can truly do for you.

A TI can see through walls.

This myth takes us to a movie called Navy Seals, where a sniper was seeing bad guys through walls. He then shoots through the wall and takes out a couple terrorists. Cool, but not real. The truth is a TI can see differences in the temperatures in buildings and structures. So you can see wall studs, window frames, a/c ducts, etc. If anyone has made any changes to the original structure, you may be able to see that as well. When you change the density of an object, it will emit a slightly different temperature. This difference in temperature is visible on your TI. Want a real life example? Instead of using a TI to see through walls, officers use their TI consistently to pinpoint hidden compartments in a wall where criminals have stashed weapons or drugs.

A TI can be blocked by mud on the body or cold water.

Do you remember a film called Predator? There is a scene where we are looking through the eyes of an alien that can see in thermal vision. He is searching for the hero Arnold Schwarzenegger. Arnold eludes the alien by covering his physique with nice cold mud. The alien cannot see Arnold because he has covered himself in the mud and blocked the thermal eyes. Sorry, flag on the play. With a TI, that's not going to work. So go ahead and let the bad guys try, they'll just get a little dirtier. In real life, your TI will still locate the bad guy. The only difference is the image could possibly be a little less bright. In time the mud will heat up from contact with the skin. In some cases the mud will act as an insulator and make the bad guy even brighter!

A TI needs light to see.

People often confuse thermal imaging with night vision technology. They are both very different. Remember that a TI is only interested in temperature. Although night vision needs some kind of light to operate, TIs do not. A TI can be a great tool in the daylight as well. A good example would be if we were searching for a suspect in a desert or snowy field, where daylight glare is burning the searcher's eyes and reducing their search strength. When looking through the scope of your TI, your view is unobstructed because your TI only recognizes the temperature differences. This gives the TI a much broader playing field in the tactical arena of its resistance to light effects.

A TI is big and used only in aircraft.

Although forward-looking infrared systems were originally designed for aircraft, technology has brought it into our hands. It's great to know a law enforcement agency has the ability to use it in the air as well, but this doesn't mean they have to spend a large amount of money to outfit their aircraft with a huge unit that needs to be cooled. They can now use a handheld TI with zoom functions to monitor activities from the air.

A TI is fragile and not durable.

The right TI will prove itself through hard use and the challenging elements in the tactical world. Real use will make you aware of how dependable it truly is. Dropping it, submerging it or heating it will bring you confidence in your unit. So when choosing your unit, be sure to ask your representative for a thorough demo. Don't just purchase something that looks "TactiCOOL." Be sure it's going to withstand every condition imaginable pertaining to your applications.

A TI can see through clothing and bodies like an X-ray.

A TI will detect a temperature difference in clothing where an object may be hiding underneath, however it cannot see through clothing and bodies like an x-ray. For example, imagine an officer performing a surveillance operation. While watching the suspect, the officer is able to see that the suspect has a gun stuffed into the small of his back because the temperature difference between the gun and the rest of the suspect's clothing is apparent through the imager.

It's undeniable that myths surrounding thermal imaging will continue to exist, leading officers to question their true capabilities. However, when using your TI, it's important to obtain the proper training so that you are able to distinguish between what your TI is able to do and what it can't. Separating the myths from reality could be the difference between catching a suspect and allowing them to get away.

Stay Safe.