We've all seen it used on popular paranormal and ghost hunting television shows and it's often referred to as the "holy grail of investigation tools": The thermal imaging camera.
But how effective is this instrument in detecting
sdGH employs a FLIR Systems ThermaCam® EX300 on its investigations. It features a 320 x 240 pixel display and Its compact "pistol-style" design makes handling it on the move preferable.
spirit entities and/or their effects? Can it produce intriguing evidence or is the cam problem-prone with near-rabid desire to acquire one influenced by what is seen on TV?
Consider this proposition: Current consumer-grade thermal imaging cams and spirit presence may not be "compatible". Since what a ghost consists of is unknown, are the physical properties a spirit possesses (if any) readable by a thermal imaging cam considering its technical limitations?
Recently, sdGH tech manager, Matthew, had the pleasure to assistBeyond Investigation Magazine'sfounder, Pat Wheelock, with a few informal tests using sdGH's FLIR Systems ThermaCam EX300 at BIM's home base, The Queen Mary historic ship in Long Beach, California. Pat discusses the tests and their importance in evaluating the value of thermal imaging in paranormal investigating.
Pat Wheelock of Beyond Investigation Magazine
When we watch the many ghost hunting shows on the TV, there seems to be a new toy that everyone is after. Only a few years ago, the “Holy Grail of ghost hunting equipment” was the IR (InfraRed) thermometer according to one such TV show. Unfortunately for that show and those that followed the flawed use of the IR thermometer, it has been proven absolutely useless when operated in the same manner as the personalities on those TV shows.
Once the IR thermometer was pushed from the top of the “Holy Grail” list, a new piece of equipment has emerged as the new “Holy Grail” for ghost hunting. The FLIR or thermal imaging camera has punched its way into the #1 position and has maintained that position now for at least two years, if you take the ghost hunting TV shows as the gospel, of course.
First off, the FLIR is on average 250 times the cost of the IR thermometer which in itself makes it more mysterious to those that can’t afford to shell out thousands for such equipment. Also, the fact that the TV shows all seem to gravitate to what the audience perceives as “cool” in order to gain ratings. Yes, unfortunately we the viewers are subject to the ratings game as opposed to reasonable scientific procedures and data collection.
Capabilities test: Rainbow and Rainbow HC palettes
Don’t get me wrong, the IR thermometer, FLIR and the many other devices we as investigators use (when used properly) during investigations are a valuable means of data collection. Do these tools prove a ghost is there? Not that I have been able to see so far, but what they do provide is a data base of circumstances that we can log and later study in hopes that later down the road at some point we can put a few of the pieces of the puzzle together.
The FLIR is not without its own issues as we have witnessed on many occasions with the TV shows that use them as evidence-gathering devices. First, the FLIR is highly subject to heat signature reflections. The many surfaces that we have been able to test this on indicate that not just shiny mirror, glass or metal cause the reflection effect. We have seen that very porous surfaces are just as likely to cause a false thermal signature when scanning an area.
Furthermore, we have run many tests with several models of FLIR systems and the results seem to indicate that a lack of mass will cause the FLIR to faintly if at all register a thermal change. Our tests with Matthew from The San Diego Ghost Hunters proves that the FLIR does require a significant mass in order to register the thermal signature that is being scanned.
The tests we conducted are as follows :: Heat signature from a lit candle :: The transfer of heat to aluminum foil :: The thermal signature of a cold mist sprayed from a bottle :: The reflective properties of porous surfaces
Capabilities test: Black & White and Iron palettes
In the video we see a lit candle(s). What you notice is that the heat rising from the flame of the candle is barely noticeable just inched above the flame, and is non-existent thereafter. The heat is still there and rising as shown by the fast reflex response when holding a hand over the flame. Furthermore, you can clearly see the heat being transferred to the aluminum foil that is held above the candle. The point being made here is that the absence of mass in the thermal exchange causes the FLIR to be unable to register such changes.
In the same video we see a spray bottle filled with ice water. The bottle clearly shows up but when the pump is depressed and the water is expelled in a fine mist, the FLIR almost misses the transfer completely. The lack of significant mass once again causes the FLIR to miss the thermal signature of the exchange.
Lastly, with the table the tests were run on, we can clearly see the reflection of the different items being used in the test as well as hand prints when the presenter touches the table. The table is a very porous plastic table indicating that more surfaces than not are capable of reflecting thermal signatures of items surrounding them. This point is extremely important since we are presented with many “strange” thermal shapes on the TV shows. Until the personalities on these TV shows include a night vision camera with the same focus at the same time the FLIR images are being scanned, we have to conclude that the “evidence” presented after the “investigation” is suspect at best.
The following thermal imagerywas recorded while investigating the Star of India Maritime Museum in San Diego, California, on Day of the Dead, November 2, 2009. Details surrounding this footage are outlined below. What makes this footage interesting is that the anomalous shape appears to be cool, not warm.
As theorized by many, a spirit utilizes surrounding atmospheric energy, leaving cold spots in its wake. This begs the following question: Should investigators be searching for cold thermal hits, not warm? Are many of the warm hits we typically see in the media either fraud or false positives?
Solid Mass Anomaly: Star of India Maritime Museum, San Diego, California While heading a vigil at the stern on the mid deck portion of the Star of India Maritime Museum, lead investigator and intuitive, Maritza, senses the spirit of young sailor who once worked the Star. She asks him to make his presence known by touching a support pole that stands in front of the team, hoping to record a heat signature.
What is witnessed is curious. At the 34-second mark, a solid mass quickly approaches the pole, crosses over a portion [ possibly 'touching' it ], and pulls back just as fast. Based on its color, it can only be assumed it was quite cold.
Was an obliging spirit responding to Maritza's request or are we witnessing background bleed-over onto the pole with the timing of the touch request a coincidence?
sdGH conclusion
With the apparent limitations proven in our testing, it's unreasonable to bestow current grade thermal imaging cams the title of "holy grail". Like a still camera, voice recorder and environmental monitors, the thermal imaging cam should be considered an equal partner in an investigation team's tech arsenal, assisting to gain data to build a case for a possible after-life.
