Thermal Imaging is a Useful Tool for Police
New thermal imaging systems have allowed police officers in the US to apprehend criminals and locate car crash victims in the darkness. The thermal units have been particularly helpful in search and rescue missions, identifying recently driven vehicles, tracking suspects, locating dropped evidences, surveillance, and vehicle crash investigations.
Recently in January, the Yellow Stone County Sheriff’s Office in Montana was able to apprehend suspects using the thermal imaging gear. In pursuing the suspects, officers did not have to turn on any spotlights and were able to remain undetected. Since the technology displays images of the night in blacks, whites, and grays by picking up heat signatures by reading infrared radiation, the officers were able to clearly locate the suspects.
Lieutenant Vince Wallis of the Yellow Stone Sheriff’s Office in Montana comments that, “I think as time goes on we’ll find more and more uses for them.”
Sources
THERMAL IMAGING PROVES USEFUL FOR POLICE
http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/dr20120207-thermal-imaging-prove...
Prevention Relevance
Thermal imaging gear allows police officers to locate suspects that otherwise may be able to escape capture.
Prevention Techniques
[Threat Recognition] The thermal imaging gear mentioned in this article is mounted to a patrol car’s spotlight. Are there smaller, more affordable devices that exist that officers can carry on their person?
Prevention Thought
[Intervention:] In what other ways can police departments use thermal imaging to prevent crime?
IPS Contact Information
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