Sheila Smith was the Police Chief of a small town. The Chief secretly acquired a high-tech device from the
military allowing thermal imaging through building walls capable of showing where individuals are (and
often what they may be doing) inside their homes. Chief Smith ordered “no public discussion of this new
device” by law enforcement personnel because, she didn’t want anyone outside the Department to know
about it.
A second device was attached to a drone, capable of hovering quietly above homes all night. One night
Chief Smith noticed several thermal images in her neighbor’s bedroom. That neighbor’s spouse had been
deployed six months ago, so Chief Smith contacted the deployed spouse overseas out of concern an affair
could be ensuing.
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(1) Locate & Read Chapter 7 – CJ & Technology “Through the Wall Sensors” (text page 227 or use the
Table of Contents or Index).
(2) Find & read an online news article or video discussing this issue: (for example:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/01/29/police-house-radar-privacy-4th-amendment-editorialsdebates/22555401/ –or– http://www.kansas.com/news/state/article71446997.html)
Discuss how the 4th Amendment applies to actions of Chief Smith and the perfect small town. — OR–
What are your feelings or concerns (if any) about the police being able to see and record thermal images of
everything occurring inside your home in any room at anytime?