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
What does a thermal imaging camera detect to produce its images?
Answer: Infrared radiation emitted by objects
Thermal cameras detect infrared radiation (heat) emitted by all objects and convert it into a visible temperature map.
In paranormal investigation, a 'cold spot' captured on thermal imaging is most accurately described as:
Answer: An area of lower thermal radiation compared to the surroundings
A cold spot is a localized area registering lower temperature than the ambient environment; it must be documented and cross-referenced with other data before any paranormal conclusion is drawn.
What is the primary reason investigators should allow thermal cameras to acclimate before use?
Answer: To allow the internal sensor to stabilize to ambient temperature
Bringing a cold camera into a warm environment causes the sensor to drift until it equilibrates, producing inaccurate temperature readings during that period.
Which term describes the temperature difference a thermal camera can distinguish between two adjacent areas?
Answer: Thermal sensitivity (NETD)
Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference (NETD), expressed in millikelvin, is the minimum temperature contrast the sensor can reliably detect.
Why is emissivity an important consideration when interpreting thermal images during an investigation?
Answer: It affects how accurately a surface's true temperature is reported
Emissivity is the efficiency with which a surface emits infrared energy; shiny or reflective materials have low emissivity and can reflect ambient heat, creating misleading temperature readings.
A paranormal investigator notices a bright white human-shaped thermal outline on a wall. The most likely mundane explanation is:
Answer: Residual body heat from a person who recently leaned against the wall
Walls absorb and retain body heat; a person leaning against a surface can leave a warm imprint that persists for minutes, creating a shape that may resemble a figure.
Which camera palette setting is most commonly used in paranormal investigations because it offers the highest contrast for spotting temperature anomalies?
Answer: Iron (Ironbow)
The Ironbow (Iron) palette maps temperatures to a color gradient from black through red to yellow-white, providing high visual contrast that makes subtle temperature differences easy to spot.