One Way Mirror or Not?

Yesterday, I received an alarming e-mail at work from a police officer telling me how to tell if a mirror is one-way or two-way by looking for a gap between an object such as your fingernail placed up against the mirror, and the reflective image of the object. As the myth goes, if there is a gap, the test proves that the mirror is, in fact, one-way. No gap a


Means the mirror is a two way mirror and someone could be watching you from the other side and your personal safety is at risk.

Here is a copy of the actual e-mail I received:

The Fingernail Test


Hi There - this is very interesting! A policewoman who travels all over the US and gives seminars and techniques for business women passed this on.
Do you know how to determine if a mirror is 2-way or not?

This is not to scare you, but to make you aware. This is really interesting. Try it with a 'regular' mirror, and you can easily see what the gap means. This is a MUST read!!
When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc., how many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror? (i.e., they can see you may be taking pictures], but you can't see them).

There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors in female changing rooms. It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by just looking at it. So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of mirror we are looking at?
Just conduct this simple test: Place the tip of your fingernail [ball-point pen, eyebrow pencil. any object] against the reflective surface and if there IS A GAP between your fingernail and the image of the nail, then it is a GENUINE mirror.

However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, then BEWARE, BECAUSE IT IS a 2-WAY MIRROR!

REMEMBER...every time you see a mirror, do the "fingernail test." It doesn't cost you anything, it is simple to do, and it might save you from getting visually raped!"

REMEMBER..."NO SPACE, LEAVE THE PLACE!"

Ladies: Share this with your girlfriends, sisters, daughters, etc.

Men: Share this with your wives, daughters, daughters-in law, mothers, girlfriends and/or friends.

Everyone...please give this wide dissemination!"

In short;

This simple test will determine if that mirror on the wall is there for you to fix your hair, OR it is a two way mirror there for a pedophile or stalker to watch your activities. Either way, this is sensitive information that everyone should share and be aware of. There are reported cases across the United States were these two way mirrors have been found in truck stops, hotel restrooms, shopping malls and more. Please share this information with all of your loved ones and family members.

Be prepared and invest in a personal defense weapon just in case you need to defend yourself.  Personal defense weapons come in a variety of shapes, sizes, models, and most are very affordable when compaired to becoming a victim of a violent crime.

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