A policeman might use a thermal camera on a neighbor if they suspect criminal activity happening within the neighbor's house, particularly at night or in low-light conditions, where a thermal camera can detect heat signatures indicating movement or presence even when hidden from sight, allowing them to monitor potential illegal activity without directly observing inside the home; however, doing so without a warrant could raise legal concerns regarding privacy violations.
Key points about using thermal cameras on a neighbor:
Visibility in darkness:
Thermal cameras detect heat, so they can see through darkness, making them useful for surveillance in night-time situations where a standard camera wouldn't work.
Potential criminal activity:
If police have reasonable suspicion of illegal activity like drug cultivation or a hidden fugitive, a thermal camera could be used to monitor for unusual heat patterns inside a home.
Privacy concerns:
Using a thermal camera on a neighbor's home without a warrant could be considered a violation of privacy as it allows the police to gather information about activities happening inside the house, even if they cannot see details.
Legal requirements:
In most jurisdictions, police need a warrant to use thermal imaging technology to gather information about activities inside a private residence.Thermal cameras can be used to study mental health in a variety of ways, including:
Thermal cameras can measure facial temperatures, which are correlated with mental workload and emotional experiences. For example, increased nose temperature may indicate pleasant feelings, while decreased temperature may indicate negative emotions.

Facial temperature