How to Conduct a Paranormal Investigation

By Pearl Blackthorn
From Darkside Magazine July 2014

Perhaps you know of a building near you that is reputedly haunted, or a local cemetery where strange sightings have occurred. If you have a fascination for the paranormal and are intrigued by legends of hauntings you may want to check out the location for yourself and conduct a paranormal investigation. Before you do, there are a few things you need to consider, such as what equipment you may need, who to take along with you and how to research the location.

Paranormal investigations are becoming increasingly popular these days particularly in the light of televisions shows such as “Most Haunted,” and “Ghost Hunters.” Whether you are considering taking it up as a hobby or getting more seriously involved paranormal investigation can be a fascinating endeavor as well as a lot of fun. There are certain things you need to know before you embark and the first rule of thumb is always get permission before you start to explore any haunted site. Even if the building has been abandoned for quite some time, you need to find out who owns it and tell them what you have in mind; otherwise you can and will be arrested for trespassing on private property. The best place to find out information about the location you wish to investigate is your local courthouse.

Secondly, it is wise to take some one else along with you so that you have a witness of any paranormal activity, as well as some company in case you get the jitters. Always be respectful of other people’s property and their points of view. Although you don’t have to believe in ghosts to conduct an investigation, and there’s nothing wrong with a healthy skepticism, keep an open mind. The next thing you need to take into account is your ghost hunting equipment.

Equipment

Most paranormal researchers have a standard set of equipment to help them detect any unusual presence at their investigation site. Not only do these items help them to detect any paranormal activity, they also help them to record data and take it away from the site for analysis later. If you’re just starting out you may not have or need all this equipment, but bear in mind, the more you have, the more evidence of paranormal activity you will be able to collect.

Electro-magnetic Field Detector

This is currently one of the most popular pieces of equipment in the paranormal investigator’s kit. An EMF detector can pick up variations in electric and magnetic fields over quite a wide range of frequencies. Most are set to be highly sensitive to fields varying at 60 Hz. Tri-axial models are much better than single axis models. If you have a Single axis model and you rotate it from its axis even slightly during an investigation, your readings will change because of the different angles to the fields. To combat this you will have to fix it in place otherwise you will be unable to compare earlier readings with subsequent ones. It is believed that paranormal activity usually causes disruptions in the electromagnetic fields, causing sudden surges which can be measured on the EMF detector. Some investigators use the EMF detector as a means to communicate with the presence, by asking simple questions and allowing the manifestation to utilize the energy to respond  ‘yes or no’ by flashing the lights on the detector.

Infrared Thermometer

This type of thermometer is used to accurately pinpoint cold spots. It is believed that these are created when a ghost is present because it draws the heat from the surrounding area to create enough energy for it to manifest. Infrared probe thermometers are good for use indoors and outside. They are also very accurate at picking up very sudden temperature changes or very extreme temperature anomalies.

Digital Voice Recorder

Digital voice recorders are now an essential part of any investigators equipment and are used in haunted locations to record background noise, sometimes while the investigator asks a series of questions. The recordings are analyzed later, off site, usually with specialized, sound sensitive software to check for electronic voice phenomena. It is believed that, although inaudible to the naked ear, the voices of those beyond the grave can be made audible by interacting with other devices that rely on electrical fields, such as televisions, tape recorders and radios. EVP messages are usually brief, most last no longer than two or three seconds and contain only three to five words, often spoken rapidly and sometimes repeated.

Motion Sensor

These devices are used to detect movement in large areas such as a hallway or room. These enable the investigator to know if something is moving around in one area while another area is being examined. There is some debate as to whether a ghost itself can set off a motion sensor, but a ghost can set objects moving about, some investigators do consider them to be a valuable piece of equipment. The best type for this sort of project is a small wireless detector that can be wall mounted

Camcorder

Camcorders are a valuable tool because they can either be carried around the location or set on a tripod to record a specific area over time. You will need a digital camcorder with a night shot feature which will allow recording in total darkness. Adding a light extended will increase the night shooting distance by up to ten times.

Night Vision Goggles

Night vision goggles and scopes are a relatively new technology to paranormal investigations.  They can be very useful if you are investigating an outdoor location, as long as you use goggles or a scope equipped with an infrared attachment. This will enable you to use the equipment to recognize certain types of manifestations such as spirit orbs. It is believed that this is possible due to the reflection of infrared light from the orbs.

Flashlights and Spare Batteries

Bright flashlights are essential because a lot f ghost hunting is done at night in and around dark places. Many investigators also like to use headlamps because they provide good hands-free light. Always carry spare batteries just in case.

Dowsing Rods

Dowsing rods are one of the oldest ghost detecting devices in existence and though low tech, some paranormal investigators still use them today. For this purpose, most dowsers recommend using two L-shaped rods, made from brass or some other light-weight metal. The rods are usually about two feet in length and bent at one third, with the shortest length the hands. They should be held loosely so that they are able to swing back and forth freely in the hands. Experienced dowsers say that when they begin walking through a location with their rods, as they encounter an anomaly, the rods will begin to vibrate and will slowly cross over each other. Some investigators use dowsing rods to communicate with ghosts.

A Note Pad and Pencil

These are essential items for noting down times and places that activity occur during the investigation. Other things that you may want to take not of during your adventure are specific feelings or sensations that you feel throughout the exploration such as emotions or physical sensations and also and mental images that occur to you or any names that may spontaneously arise in your mind that you may later find are significant.

Trigger Objects

Investigators may sometimes use trigger objects at the site of the haunting. These are usually objects from the site that have a history of being moved by the ghost. Trigger objects can range from pictures, to coins. The purpose of a trigger object is to create a focal point from which to measure events such as movement or temperature change.

Digital Camera

A digital camera is much more versatile than a standard camera; they are generally more infrared sensitive. They also enable faster results. Digital camera technology has advanced rapidly over the last few years and any digital camera with five mega pixels or more, particularly if it is capable of taking night vision shots, is now considered by experts to be as good as, if not superior to a traditional 35mm camera. Another advantage of newer digital cameras is that they also store raw data files which contain uncompressed and unprocessed images; such data including the time and date when the picture was taken, if a flash was used and the ISO settings is all embedded in the image. This means that if the image is manipulated this data is also stored so when the picture is analyzed it is easy to see if it is authentic; it almost like having a form of digital negative.

Capturing a ghostly image

Capturing visual evidence of a haunting can be time consuming. When an anomaly is detected, such as a temperature fluctuation or a movement, investigators will begin taking pictures of that specific location, in the hope that something will show up on the images that is not visible to the naked eye. There are three general categories of ghostly manifestations orbs, vortexes and complete manifestations.

Orbs

Orbs are balls of light, of varying size that appear unexpectedly in photographs. They have also been captured on video moving rapidly across a room. They are generally bluish white in color and opaque. Some paranormal investigators believe that orbs are manifestations of pure energy that signifies an early manifestation of a ghost.

Vortexes

Vortexes (or vortices) are slightly less common than orbs. They can appear in a picture as a swirling column of light, or more substantially as a wispy, cloud. A vortex is often believed to be a ghostly energy that is passing beyond the orb stage. Sometimes vortexes appear to be forming human features such as limbs or facial features.

Complete Manifestations

Complete or full body manifestations are extremely sought after but seldom achieved. In these images a complete human or animal is seen in the picture. The figure is often transparent. When complete manifestations do occur, they often show up in very unusual places within the picture such as the background of a painting or superimposed upon another object.

 How to Examine a Haunted Location

 Location Research

Once you have chosen your location one member of your team should conduct as much research into the site as possible. Don’t forget to look at any available plans of buildings and land plots, interview witnesses and Useful sources are local libraries and museums, tax and church records and genealogical databases. The researcher should keep this information from the rest of the team until after the investigation to avoid influencing the other members.

Investigation

The investigation should begin with a preliminary tour, during which a number of base-line readings will be taken to asses the average temperature and EMF at various points throughout the location. The preliminary tour also gives you an opportunity to sketch out a plan of the location. The investigation should proceed immediately after the tour, usually during the darkness because this makes it easier to detect light anomalies, and it is also usually quieter, making it easier to detect unusual noises. Both static and mobile vigils are usually conducted throughout an investigation at a series of chosen locations.

Filming and Photography

Numerous photographs should be taken throughout the location. If you are not using a digital camera you should make notes of the location and time of each picture. Video filming can be used to pick up on any missed photographic opportunities.

Noting Details

Notes should be taken throughout the investigation so that they can be cross-referenced later with any photographs, voice recordings, sightings, or thoughts, ideas or feelings picked up by the sensitives throughout the vigils.

Collecting Evidence

You should try to collect evidence to support any theories of paranormal activities. One way of doing this is to use trigger objects. Place a trigger object on a piece of paper and draw round the edges and leave it in a significant location. The point of this is to see if the trigger object is moved. It is a good idea to have the object covered by a motion sensor and a video camera.

 Debrief

Once the investigation has been completed the team should debrief as soon as possible. To avoid team members influencing each other you may want to each write your experiences down in private and put them into an envelope. All photographs, video footage, tape recordings and notes made during the investigation should be analyzed at during the debrief.

Evaluation and Conclusion

Once all the evidence has been gathered and analyzed the team should come together and evaluate the investigative material along with the researcher’s material and discuss their findings. A rational assessment should be made of the evidence and an attempt should be made to debunk any anomalies if possible. It may be deemed necessary to re-visit the site to gather more information or to re-evaluate the situation.