Revealing fire survivors hidden behind smoke and flames by IR active imaging systems

Imaging moving targets through smoke and flames in fire scenarios is an unsolved and challenging issue. Indeed, thermographic cameras able to see through smoke are blinded by the flame emissions. Here two different methods are shown which give the opportunity to solve the problem relying on Infrared Radiation (IR) active imaging modalities. At first we discuss the lensless IR Digital Holography method, able to see clearly through flames thanks to an interferometric approach. Then, a more practical solution is proposed, namely an aim-and-shot device suitable to be employed in real emergencies. Experimental evidences are reported to validate both the methods and a comparison between the two strategies is carried out.