Full-Spectrum Photography Flashcards

A CPI investigator is setting up full-spectrum cameras in a reportedly active room. What control measure helps ensure baseline images are clean before the investigation begins?

Answer: Capturing a series of control frames with all investigators out of the room and all IR illuminators active

Control frames shot under identical conditions without investigators present establish a clean baseline, making genuine anomalies easier to identify by comparison.

Which statement BEST describes how investigators should use full-spectrum photography in relation to other investigation tools?

Answer: Full-spectrum photography should be one component of a multi-instrument approach, with anomalies requiring corroboration from EMF, temperature, or audio data

CPI methodology treats no single instrument as conclusive; full-spectrum anomalies gain credibility only when corroborated by simultaneous readings from other instruments.

What effect does a very wide aperture (e.g., f/1.8) have on potential orb artifacts in full-spectrum investigation photography?

Answer: Wide apertures create very shallow depth of field, making out-of-focus dust particles appear as large, soft orbs

A wide aperture produces an extremely shallow depth of field; airborne particles just in front of or behind the focal plane appear as large, soft, glowing circles (bokeh orbs) rather than sharp specks.

Why is it important to note the direction and intensity of any external IR light sources (such as security cameras or illuminators) when reviewing full-spectrum investigation photos?

Answer: Stray IR light from external sources can enter the frame and create reflections, lens flare, or illuminated particles that mimic anomalies

Security cameras and other external IR illuminators project strong infrared beams that can reflect off surfaces, illuminate dust, or cause lens flare, all of which may be mistaken for paranormal phenomena.

An investigator discovers that a full-spectrum image shows a repeating grid pattern of bright dots. What is the MOST likely technical cause?

Answer: Dead or stuck pixels on the camera sensor creating a fixed pattern of permanently lit points

Dead or stuck pixels are sensor defects that consistently appear as fixed bright or colored dots in the same location across every image taken with that camera.

Which post-processing technique is commonly used to reveal subtle UV-reflective patterns in full-spectrum photographs of a crime or haunting scene?

Answer: Isolating the blue channel (which contains most UV data in full-spectrum images) and increasing contrast

In full-spectrum images, UV information is predominantly captured in the blue channel; isolating and boosting contrast in that channel reveals UV-reflective materials or patterns not visible in the composite image.

What is the recommended minimum documentation standard for a full-spectrum photograph to be submitted as CPI case evidence?

Answer: Image file with intact EXIF metadata, written field log entry noting time/location/conditions, and at least one corroborating data point from another instrument

CPI evidence standards require original files with intact metadata, contemporaneous written documentation, and corroboration from at least one other investigative instrument to be considered credible case evidence.