Our Methods
There are as many methods to paranormal investigating as there are those that investigate. There is no “standard” that directs investigators on how it should be done, but each organization typically follows their own certain methods and uses tools they consider effective in detecting and documenting paranormal activity. Our methods and tools that we use for investigating are outlined below. Beyond these investigative methods, our team’s main goal is to determine what the client wants out of the investigation and will provide the client with possible solutions to either attempt to rid the home/location of any unwanted prescence or offer alternative means for whatever it is residing in the location to be able to coexist with the client peacefully.
Interviewing Witnesses and Researching the Location
Before we begin testing for activity, we first interview any witnesses and if possible, walk through the location and have them describe what they experienced. We attempt to determine the types of strange activity, and where the sightings/activity took place. Interviewing witnesses will give us a good starting point, and provide clues about whether we’re dealing with a residual haunting, an intelligent haunting – or no haunting at all. We understand that not all information we retrieve in this manner is accurate, but when investigating the most important tool to have is an open mind.
We may also research a location by searching for information online, talking to past property owners, calling the local police (It is always surprising at how much information the local police can tell you about a property — they really are great sources of information), or chatting with the neighbors. This gives us a base with which to start and gives us a better idea on where to focus our investigation.
Walkthrough and Planning of the Investigation
One of the most important steps in an investigation is completing an entire walkthrough of the location in daylight hours to take notice of the layout of the location and also to determine if there are any safety issues that we need to know about. Remember that we investigate in total darkness, so for the safety of our team we look for things such as loose/rotten boards, nails, obstructions, and things that could jeopardize our safety and ensure that the entire team is aware of these hazards.
Setting Up the Equipment
Once we have a basic understanding of the activities, we begin by setting up our IR Cameras either on tripods or something stationary to continuously monitor areas where most of that activity has occured. We always remember to secure any electrical cords or cables to reduce the possibility of someone tripping. Once those are set up and all lights in the house are off, the investigation begins.
Investigating
Once the lights are off and cameras are recording, we complete walthroughs while attempting to document paranormal activity through means of tempurature meters, EMF detectors, digital voice recorders, handheld video cameras with IR lighting, and other equipment and techniques. These are listed in greater detail in the next section.
Reviewing the Evidence
Once the investigation is completed, the reviewing phase begins. At our home location, we go over over all of the audio, video, and documented tempurature, humidity, and other information to look for any evidence we may have caught during the investigation. This is a long and sometimes tedious process that takes a lot of energy. We must be careful to not overlook anything as missing or overlooking something can void an entire investigation. Once we collect all of the evidence (if any was captured and documented) we present the evidence to the client.
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Below is a list of some of the tools that we use to detect a prescence of paranormal activity and a description of why we use them.
EMF Detector – The Electromagnetic Field Detector, also known as an EMF, is the modern day ghost researcher’s tracking device, a very important piece of equipment. With this instrument it is possible to locate and track energy sources. It will detect fluctuations in electromagnetic fields and low strength moving EMF fields that have no source. It is a common theory that spirits disrupt this field in such a way that you can tell one is present by higher than normal readings with this meter. Remeber to always take base readins throughout the location before the investigations to determine the leveols that would be considered normal. Another use of the EMF is to detect natural electromagnetic frequecies because some individuals are very sensitive to them and they may cause feelings of paranoia, nausia, dizziness, disorientation, and other unnatural feelings that may lead them to believe that they are having paranormal experiences.
Video Camera (with an Infrared Light Source) – Video cameras are an important instrument for our investigations. Unlike still cameras they provide us with constant visual and audio surveillance for review and observation. The video cameras we use are equipped with infrared capability and this is the mode we use. With video any phenomena occurring can be documented in its entirety. This will show the length of time the phenomena occurs, what is happening, the conditions surrounding the phenomena, and possibly even the cause of the phenomena.
Digital Audio Recorder – Digital recorders are the backbone of every paranormal investigation. They allow for many of our personal experiences to be documented, such as hearing a noise and being able to confirm and document what was heard upon playback. Another benefit of a digital recorder is capturing EVPs, which are electronic voice phenomena. These are sounds or voices captured on the recorder that were not heard by the investigator at the time of the recording.
Infrared Thermal Scanner – This is a temperature measuring tool that sends out a thermal beam that measures fluctuations in temperature. We use these to monitor temperature as well as find cold and hot spots that might be caused by paranormal activity.
K-2 Meter – Another form of an EMF detector, the K-2 Meter uses lights to indicate changes in the electromagnetic field. The K-2 Meter can be used more effectively for communicating than a digital EMF meter. This tool gives us the ability to ask an intity yes or no questions and have it respond by activating the detection lights.
Night Vision – Night Vision goggles or night vision adaptors (that attach to video recorders) help us to see in the dark. We investigate in a lightless environment because it easier to capture and detect an entity or apperition in the dark than it is in normal lighted conditions. These are not only useful for for helping detect paranormal activity, but help us to navigate the location safely in the dark as well.
