| The Interesting World of Paranormal Research an Introduction |
We all have our reasons for interest in the field of paranormal research. It could be because of the unknown future that
awaits us once we have departed. Or, it could be that somewhere along the way we encountered something we couldn't
explain with simple logic. Either way we are hooked, a lot of time, energy and money is invested in the search for
knowledge. Helping those experiencing turmoil in their lives due to unwanted guest also fuels the passion.
This passion is why we do what we do, and sharing our experiences with you may help you understand that all is not
what it seems. And, hopefully just knowing that groups like ours are here for you may ease the burden of the unknown.
Basics of an investigation.
An investigation begins with a request by an individual, group, or business. They are experiencing unusual sounds, smells, voices,
and, or sightings that they cannot explain. They are either fearful or curious and are need of our help. A pre-investigation interview
is made with the witnesses. This will help pin point "hot spots" within the location and assist in the placement of recording
equipment. Now we will talk about what we are looking for.
For more info on what to expect from an investigation with P.A.S.T.
The theory is that there are 3 basic haunting types:
A residual haunting, which is like watching the same movie over and over. An event that occurred in the past sometimes tragic
seems to be the catalyst for a haunting. The theory is that energy is somehow holding the event in limbo. This energy could be
attributed to the surroundings of the site, such as what the geology of the foundation is beneath the site.
Then there is the human haunting. This is when a spirit, once human doesn't move on. They may not know they have passed and
continue to exist as they did. These are the most common of all hauntings. These are the spirits most referred to as "ghost". They
are not usually harmful, they have been known to interact of the living, EVPs (electronic voice phenomenon) are a good way of
documenting this interaction because the spirits often answer a question or re-act to what a living person maybe doing at the time.
For example, during an investigation a paranormal investigator dropped a camera by accident, when reviewing the voice evidence
a female voice was caught on tape saying "broke it". This was heard on the tape immediately after the camera hit the floor and the
investigators voice was heard saying "just dropped the camera". He was alone in the room when this occurred.
The final basic type is known as a in-human haunting. Often referred to as demons and poltergeist. These spirits have to be
handled with caution. Unless there is an experienced member of your group who has had training in this area, I suggest once the
documentation of evidence has been collected and reviewed, contact a spiritualist that can bless the site, and counsel those who
are being haunted. We are not demonologist, in those cases we will consult someone that has experience dealing with that type of
haunting. Of all hauntings these usually involve violence toward a person or persons. This is why whenever an investigation is to
take place it is wise to begin with a positive frame of mind and a prayer couldn't hurt. Don't give the spirit anything to feed off of.
Voices:
Other wise referred to as disembodied voices, as mentioned above sometimes investigators are fortunate enough to capture these
on sound or video recording devices. They may come in the form of actual words, or just a sound such as a groan or growl.
When they are recorded we refer to them as EVPs. Another form of spirit communication is called Instrumental
TransCommunication or ITC. ITC is done with the use of electronic devices that are modifed. These devices are also called
"Spirit Boxes" and when used properly you can communicate in real time. More information on ITC devices
Sounds:
A sound is usually associate with many hauntings. Bangs, footsteps, furniture moving, and doors opening and closing on there
own, are some of the most common heard by witnesses, and again this where SOUND RECORDING EQUIPMENT can make
the difference. A good investigator will rule out all natural or mechanical reasons for the sounds. More Info on EVP equipment
Apparitions:
Ghostly spirits can appear in full body transparent or solid. It can even be seen in fragments. Usually they will appear lifelike, this
is why some witnesses believed that they were seeing a real person when in reality it was an apparition. Sometimes they are
believed to resemble someone that has passed. Ghost photography have captured head, full-bodied , or just torso apparitions. It
is believed that these apparitions are products of a residual haunting. Considered by most investigators as the holy grail of
evidence seeing an apparition is confirmation of a haunting. Using video and still photography are great ways of documenting these
apparitions.
More info on the types of visual equipment
Orbs:
Quite possibly the most controversial of evidence is the so-called pictures or videos of spirit orbs. Many investigators will tell you
that every photo showing a white ball of light floating about is a spirit. The truth is there are other factors that could explain the
phenomenon. Speaks of dust and flying insects can account for the larger portion of false positives. The other percentage could
be accounted for by reflections of light or water droplets on a camera lens. You need to rule these possibilities out. Once this is
done then you can look at your evidence as possible paranormal activity.
The P.A.S.T. Approach to investigation:
Every paranormal/ghost hunting group have their own vision of what is evidence and what is not. My own training and education
in the field of criminal justice has showed me that it is necessary to have hard evidence. Using the scientific method of research
gives the investigator the tools to document evidence. Quite frankly we have all experienced cold chills, feelings of dread, and or
saw something we couldn't explain. These personal reactions to our environment may or may not be related to anything
paranormal. This is where the equipment comes into play. EMF (electro magnetic field) meters, thermometers, visual and audio
recorders, and infrared cameras, are used by most investigators using this approach.
We fall somewhere in between the "debunker" and "true believer". The "debunker" is that guy that says there are no such thing as
ghost, and goes out of his way trying to disprove anything paranormal, at times ignoring the evidence. Or worse yet not collecting
any at all. The "true believer" is the guy that says every orb, every cold spot, every sound, and every cold chill is a ghost. And,
usually they come to the investigation only armed with a flashlight and nothing else. We believe that in order to do an investigation
justice you need both. The human and technical factor. This is why our group is balanced, we have some who are sensitive to
their surrounding and we have (including myself) those you need to use technical tools to prove the existence of paranormal
activity.
These are just a view examples of what the investigator will look for. It takes a lot of time and patience to
conduct an investigation. You can have all the greatest high-tech equipment in the world, but it's the passion
of those who search for the paranormal that makes a difference. HAPPY HUNTING
awaits us once we have departed. Or, it could be that somewhere along the way we encountered something we couldn't
explain with simple logic. Either way we are hooked, a lot of time, energy and money is invested in the search for
knowledge. Helping those experiencing turmoil in their lives due to unwanted guest also fuels the passion.
This passion is why we do what we do, and sharing our experiences with you may help you understand that all is not
what it seems. And, hopefully just knowing that groups like ours are here for you may ease the burden of the unknown.
Basics of an investigation.
An investigation begins with a request by an individual, group, or business. They are experiencing unusual sounds, smells, voices,
and, or sightings that they cannot explain. They are either fearful or curious and are need of our help. A pre-investigation interview
is made with the witnesses. This will help pin point "hot spots" within the location and assist in the placement of recording
equipment. Now we will talk about what we are looking for.
For more info on what to expect from an investigation with P.A.S.T.
The theory is that there are 3 basic haunting types:
A residual haunting, which is like watching the same movie over and over. An event that occurred in the past sometimes tragic
seems to be the catalyst for a haunting. The theory is that energy is somehow holding the event in limbo. This energy could be
attributed to the surroundings of the site, such as what the geology of the foundation is beneath the site.
Then there is the human haunting. This is when a spirit, once human doesn't move on. They may not know they have passed and
continue to exist as they did. These are the most common of all hauntings. These are the spirits most referred to as "ghost". They
are not usually harmful, they have been known to interact of the living, EVPs (electronic voice phenomenon) are a good way of
documenting this interaction because the spirits often answer a question or re-act to what a living person maybe doing at the time.
For example, during an investigation a paranormal investigator dropped a camera by accident, when reviewing the voice evidence
a female voice was caught on tape saying "broke it". This was heard on the tape immediately after the camera hit the floor and the
investigators voice was heard saying "just dropped the camera". He was alone in the room when this occurred.
The final basic type is known as a in-human haunting. Often referred to as demons and poltergeist. These spirits have to be
handled with caution. Unless there is an experienced member of your group who has had training in this area, I suggest once the
documentation of evidence has been collected and reviewed, contact a spiritualist that can bless the site, and counsel those who
are being haunted. We are not demonologist, in those cases we will consult someone that has experience dealing with that type of
haunting. Of all hauntings these usually involve violence toward a person or persons. This is why whenever an investigation is to
take place it is wise to begin with a positive frame of mind and a prayer couldn't hurt. Don't give the spirit anything to feed off of.
Voices:
Other wise referred to as disembodied voices, as mentioned above sometimes investigators are fortunate enough to capture these
on sound or video recording devices. They may come in the form of actual words, or just a sound such as a groan or growl.
When they are recorded we refer to them as EVPs. Another form of spirit communication is called Instrumental
TransCommunication or ITC. ITC is done with the use of electronic devices that are modifed. These devices are also called
"Spirit Boxes" and when used properly you can communicate in real time. More information on ITC devices
Sounds:
A sound is usually associate with many hauntings. Bangs, footsteps, furniture moving, and doors opening and closing on there
own, are some of the most common heard by witnesses, and again this where SOUND RECORDING EQUIPMENT can make
the difference. A good investigator will rule out all natural or mechanical reasons for the sounds. More Info on EVP equipment
Apparitions:
Ghostly spirits can appear in full body transparent or solid. It can even be seen in fragments. Usually they will appear lifelike, this
is why some witnesses believed that they were seeing a real person when in reality it was an apparition. Sometimes they are
believed to resemble someone that has passed. Ghost photography have captured head, full-bodied , or just torso apparitions. It
is believed that these apparitions are products of a residual haunting. Considered by most investigators as the holy grail of
evidence seeing an apparition is confirmation of a haunting. Using video and still photography are great ways of documenting these
apparitions.
More info on the types of visual equipment
Orbs:
Quite possibly the most controversial of evidence is the so-called pictures or videos of spirit orbs. Many investigators will tell you
that every photo showing a white ball of light floating about is a spirit. The truth is there are other factors that could explain the
phenomenon. Speaks of dust and flying insects can account for the larger portion of false positives. The other percentage could
be accounted for by reflections of light or water droplets on a camera lens. You need to rule these possibilities out. Once this is
done then you can look at your evidence as possible paranormal activity.
The P.A.S.T. Approach to investigation:
Every paranormal/ghost hunting group have their own vision of what is evidence and what is not. My own training and education
in the field of criminal justice has showed me that it is necessary to have hard evidence. Using the scientific method of research
gives the investigator the tools to document evidence. Quite frankly we have all experienced cold chills, feelings of dread, and or
saw something we couldn't explain. These personal reactions to our environment may or may not be related to anything
paranormal. This is where the equipment comes into play. EMF (electro magnetic field) meters, thermometers, visual and audio
recorders, and infrared cameras, are used by most investigators using this approach.
We fall somewhere in between the "debunker" and "true believer". The "debunker" is that guy that says there are no such thing as
ghost, and goes out of his way trying to disprove anything paranormal, at times ignoring the evidence. Or worse yet not collecting
any at all. The "true believer" is the guy that says every orb, every cold spot, every sound, and every cold chill is a ghost. And,
usually they come to the investigation only armed with a flashlight and nothing else. We believe that in order to do an investigation
justice you need both. The human and technical factor. This is why our group is balanced, we have some who are sensitive to
their surrounding and we have (including myself) those you need to use technical tools to prove the existence of paranormal
activity.
These are just a view examples of what the investigator will look for. It takes a lot of time and patience to
conduct an investigation. You can have all the greatest high-tech equipment in the world, but it's the passion
of those who search for the paranormal that makes a difference. HAPPY HUNTING
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| Information on Ghost Hunting on Wikipedia |