  In this laboratory-based study, a plate was designed, manufactured and then
characterised thermally and dimensionally using a thermal imager. This plate
comprised a range of known scratch, dent, thinning and pitting artefacts as
mimics of possible surface anomalies, as well as an arrangement of higher
emissivity targets. The thermal and dimensional characterisation of this plate
facilitated surface temperature determination. This was verified through
thermal models and successful defect identification of the scratch and pitting
artefacts at temperatures from \SIrange{30}{170}{\celsius}.
  These laboratory measurements demonstrated the feasibility of deploying
in-situ thermal imaging to the thermal and dimensional characterisation of
special nuclear material containers. Surface temperature determination
demonstrated uncertainties from \SIrange{1.0}{6.8}{\celsius} (\(k = 2\)). The
principle challenges inhibiting successful deployment are a lack of suitable
emissivity data and a robust defect identification algorithm suited to both
static and transient datasets.
