Turn Up the Heat on Bad Guys Using Thermal Imagers and Night Vision

Online Exclusive: Turn Up the Heat on Bad Guys Using Thermal Imagers and Night Vision

Thermal imagers allow you to “detect” a target by amplifying the heat signature of something or someone, where night vision amplifies ambient light by millions of times so that you can “identify” a target in minimal light.

Turn Up the Heat on Bad Guys Using Thermal Imagers and Night VisionIt is now common knowledge that one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects was found by a Law Enforcement helicopter using a thermal imager. The suspect's heat signature was detected while he was hiding under a tarp in a boat parked in a residential backyard. From there the pilot was able to direct the ground-based tactical teams to respond. In some areas of Law Enforcement and Security it seems that thermal technology is the next hot thing, but it has been around for decades.

To be able to see in low-light/no-light conditions, other than using white light, there are two primary types of technologies: thermal (IR) and night vision (I2). Each technology has its pros and cons and the best-case scenario is using all of these technologies as needed to increase situational awareness. Thermal imagers allow you to “detect” a target by amplifying the heat signature of something or someone, where night vision amplifies ambient light by millions of times so that you can “identify” a target in minimal light.

There are big, heavy thermal imagers that can be fixed-mounted on aircraft, trucks or building infrastructures with detection range capabilities of several miles. On the other end of the spectrum, which we will cover here, are mobile thermal imagers that have less than a mile detection range that are small, lightweight and can be hand-held or helmet mounted for ground-based tactical operations.

Here is an example of how thermal imaging can help in a hypothetical situation.  You are a security contractor responsible with protecting the personnel and infrastructure of a facility that stores hazardous materials and it is an ideal target for terrorists because it is in close proximity to a well-populated residential area. It is 10:30 PM in the evening, with partly cloudy skies and a half moon. You have fences, bollards, motion sensors and other security measures to detect and prevent intrusion of the perimeter. Despite these measures, you confirm that shots have been fired and a hostile element has breached your perimeter through the main gate. You are under a terrorist attack. The terrorists are moving swiftly towards your building, which is 200 yards away, and they are using all available cover and concealment, such as parked vehicles, walls and trashcans.

The entire facility is now on lock-down, most of the lights are off and you have limited staff working. You order your sharpshooter to the roof. He has a sniper rifle with a mounted day scope, clip-on night vision sight and laser. He has little time to spare because his mission now is to prevent these terrorists from entering the building. He uses the PVS-14TM (Thermal Monocular), which quickly allows him to detect the heat signature of the threat and he is able to confirm that there are three bad guys. Now that he knows their location, he utilizes his sniper rifle with night vision to see that they are carrying rifles and are wearing backpacks that could be full of explosives. Via radio, a sharpshooter updates his four-man tactical strike team to search and engage the terrorists that have made it into the building.

Each strike team member has common SWAT gear like ballistic helmet, body armor, carbine (with flashlight/laser) and a handgun. They have mounted on their helmet, over their non-dominant eye, the NEPVS-14 (Night Enforcer) night vision monocular and are using the low-light/no-light conditions to maintain stealth. Night vision is used as they sweep the building. The team leader can use the thermal monocular so that he can quickly detect any heat signature. However, the thermal imager does not allow him to identify the person hiding behind a cart. He uses night vision again in order to verify the terrorists and the team can then take appropriate action.

The above is one of potentially many scenarios that shows how using both thermal and night vision technologies can increase the situational awareness, survivability and operational capabilities (SASOC) of those responsible for the safety and security of personnel and infrastructures.  Seeing while being unseen transforms a situation so that the good guys are the hunters and the bad guys are the prey.

About the Author

Spiro Demetriadi is the Director of Sales/Marketing for Morovision, a leading provider of night vision and thermal equipment and tactical training to Federal, State, County and Local Law Enforcement and Homeland Security. Spiro is a US Army veteran and for the past 20 years has represented the Gracie Academy (Headquarters), where he handles combatives training for thousands of Law Enforcement/Military personnel with a focus in the Special Operations community. Now, through Morovision and tactical training partner Telluric Group, Spiro plans to have a similar large-scale impact by reaching out to the Law Enforcement community in educating them with effective and reality-based Night Vision Goggle/low-light/no-light tactical training. Spiro’s life is devoted to increasing the situational awareness, survivability and operational capabilities (SASOC) of US Law Enforcement/Military personnel.

Featured

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.