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What
are the methods to an investigation? What should you expect?
What kind of 'Equipment' can you use to find a ghost? These
are questions that are often answered when someone finds out
what we like to do in our spare time. Below are some of the
tools of the trade and an outline of what to expect on an
investigation.
'Every
investigation is as different as the array of tools we use.
The equipment below is a general representation of what we
take into the field with us. As each investigator purchases
their own equipment, styles and brands vary. For the purposes
of this page, we have taken the average representation of
what we have on hand to show you.
What
kind of tools do Paranormal Investigators use?
Paranormal
Investigators use many types of technical and not-so technical
equipment to conduct investigations. This enables our team
to be able to take several different approaches as to the
cause of the activity in question. Sometimes activity can
be as simple as faulty plumbing, wiring, or a tree tapping
a window. Other times it can be something much more complicated
and some of the equipment below is what we use to aid us in
determining the cause.
Digital Camera
For capturing photographic evidence of paranormal activity.
Cameras are very sensitive and occasionally paranormal
images can be captured. This is not the only type of digital
camera we use. Our team has several different kinds of
camera. |
Digital and Tape Voice Recorder
Audio evidence is commonly known as EVP, or Electronic
Voice Phenomenon. This is when voices are recorded on
a tape recorder or digital recorder that were not heard
by the people in the room when they were captured.
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IR Camera
Used for night recording for video and digital cameras.
The LED focus lighting enables cameras to take better
imaging in the dark but only produces monochromatic color
images. |
Forms, Logs, and Reports
Experience in our field has helped us assemble custom
made detailed logs and reports that are used before, during
and after the investigation to pool information from our
investigators. Also logs are reviewed when all video,
voice and photographic evidence is reviewed in an attempt
to explain any anomalous images. When the review of evidence
is completed, we use these forms to give a complete final
report to the client. |
Video Camera
We use several different types of video camera during
an investigation. Some cameras travel room to room with
our investigators while others are set up in select stationary
locations for the duration of the investigation to detect
movement. |
Elect. Magnetic Frequency Detector
'EMF Detector'
An EMF detector is used to detect electronic and magnetic
presence's prior to the investigation. Sometimes feelings
of paranoia and paranormal activity occur because of faulty
wiring or bad electrical connections. People who are very
sensitive to these frequencies (many are) can often report
shadows or feelings of being watched. EMF Detectors also
detect energy given off by paranormal activity. It is
said that ghosts emit an electronic field as they attempt
to manifest themselves. |
Digital Temperature Gauge
Temperatures are measured several times during as well
as before the investigation. Baseline EMF and Temperature
readings are taken so any notable changes can be made.
As paranormal activity happens, it is often accompanied
by a raise or drop in temperature. |
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Methods
to Investigation - What to Expect
Pre-Investigation
'In
most cases, when a client contacts us, our Lead Investigator
calls them and talks to them over the phone regarding the
unusual activity they are experiencing. If our Lead Investigator
determines that there is something to investigate, they travel
to the client's location for a pre-interview and a walk through
tour of the property in question. Normally one or two team
members attend as well. Notes are taken and many questions
are asked regarding history of the property, details of the
paranormal activity, and the residents (alive or otherwise)
that live on the property. Baseline readings and recordings
are taken as well. These things help our lead and key investigators
to get a better idea of the situation so they can determine
how to most efficiently conduct the investigation.
Some
key details are sometimes kept from the team members that
will be attending the investigation in order to keep the integrity
and clarity of the observations and logs. An investigation
may occasionally be refused because the location is unsafe,
or the activity can be easily explained and the client is
satisfied with the explanation. We will also not investigate
locations that may contain illegal drugs or people using illegal
drugs or suffering from severe mental disorders. Golden State
Paranormal Research Society will not put its investigators
in harm's way to investigate a property or location that may
put them in danger of any kind.
Investigation
Upon
arriving at the location to be investigated, the team is introduced
to the owner and other people present. A walk through with
the lights on is conducted. During this walk through discussions
are made as to the possible locations of stationary equipment
such as video cameras. Notes are made as to condition of the
rooms, atmosphere, weather, and many other things that may
affect the investigation. This enables us later to refer to
these notes in case we have any questions while reviewing
the evidence. Once the walk through is complete, all members
have prepared their equipment and teams are established and
dispatched, the lights are turned out and the investigation
begins.
Many
people think that the investigation is when the excitement
happens. Honestly the majority of the investigation is spent
sitting, standing or walking in the dark with very little
happening. Our investigators keep their eyes and ears open
and remain observant for any activity. Each key investigator
in a team has some form of communication device for contacting
other team members in case of an emergency or are in need
of assistance. How long each team investigates a room or location
can vary from place to place. Most are about an hour each,
and then they switch. Each team has a log sheet for each room
where they log any notable occurrences, any readings differing
from the baseline readings taken during the walk-through,
time in, time out, and who was on the team. These notes will
later help our Evidence Technician as they review the hours
of video, camera and voice recorders.
Post-Investigation
Once
the investigation is completed, the team gathers all of their
equipment and will leave. The investigation may be over but
the review of the evidence has just begun. In the week or
two after the investigation, each member of the team is required
to turn in a report of no less than a paragraph about their
opinion of the investigation and any additional notes they
may need to share. Their opinion of whether the location has
paranormal activity or not is also noted. Also in this time
the Evidence Technicians review all of the recorded evidence
and use special log forms to note any activity that should
be reviewed by the Lead Investigator and the Key Investigators.
Once all of this evidence is reviewed, the Lead Investigator
prepares the final report for the client.
Final Report
The
final report consists of a series of pages that gives a general
consensus of information and opinions gathered by the investigation
team. If there is any video, photographic or audio evidence,
this is burned to a CD and shared with the client before handing
over the whole portfolio. The client keeps this and can present
it to future investigators. Some properties require additional
or ongoing investigations. Some clients feel comfortable with
their paranormal guests and will even offer their home to
be used occasionally as a training location for our new investigators
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