Thermal Imaging & Infrared Technology Flashcards
7 cards from real CPI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Thermal Imaging & Infrared Technology flashcards as text
When comparing thermal data with EMF readings at a potential hot spot, investigators are following which best practice?
Answer: Corroboration — using multiple data types to support or rule out anomalies
Corroboration requires that multiple independent instruments detect anomalies simultaneously, reducing the chance that any single reading is a false positive.
What effect can HVAC air vents have on thermal imaging during an investigation?
Answer: They create localized warm or cool air streams that mimic paranormal temperature anomalies
HVAC vents introduce heated or chilled airflow that registers as temperature differentials on thermal cameras, a common natural explanation for apparent cold or hot spots.
What does spatial resolution refer to in the context of a thermal camera?
Answer: The number of pixels in the detector array determining fine-detail capability
Spatial resolution is determined by the detector array size (e.g., 320×240 pixels); higher pixel counts allow investigators to identify smaller anomalies and features at greater distances.
A thermal anomaly that appears and disappears in sync with a flickering fluorescent light is most likely caused by:
Answer: Radiated heat pulses from the light's ballast cycling on and off
Fluorescent ballasts generate heat that fluctuates as the light cycles, producing thermal pulses that can be mistaken for anomalies if the investigator doesn't note the lighting state.
Which environmental baseline measurement should be recorded before beginning thermal imaging sweeps?
Answer: Ambient air temperature throughout the site
Recording ambient air temperature establishes a reference point so investigators can judge whether detected thermal variations are significant deviations rather than normal room-to-room differences.
How does window glass typically appear on a thermal camera during a cold night?
Answer: Cooler than surrounding walls due to lower insulation value and heat loss
Glass has poor insulation and high thermal conductivity, so it loses interior heat rapidly to the cold outside, making it appear cooler than the surrounding insulated walls on a thermal camera.
When documenting a thermal anomaly, which data should be recorded alongside the image?
Answer: Timestamp, location, ambient temperature, humidity, and any known heat sources nearby
Comprehensive metadata — time, location, environmental conditions, and nearby heat sources — is essential for later analysis and to rule out or confirm natural explanations.