Infrared camera question

Say you have a strawbale home with bales laid flat, so the wall is 24" thick, plus 1 1/2" layers of plaster inside and out. Maybe earthen plaster, maybe stucco-cement.
If a leak happens to allow water to enter at the top of a wall in the center of the top course of bales, how close to the exterior or interior surfaces will moisture have to get before an IR camera will pick it up?

I’m not sure but would guess it depends on the quality of the camera.

I’ve looked at them but never noticed any kind of penetration factor, only the quality of picture and how many it will store.

Good question!