Paranormal investigating ethic's

[Mr Mehaha]

"Paranormal investigating ethic's"

Hi guys, this is a new thread I'm starting on what your "Paranormal investigating ethic's" are. witch really is just your opinion on what is right and wrong in a Paranormal investigation? ill start....

first off I don't think psychic's and mediums should be on investigation. my reason for that is psychic ability's has not yet been really proven in the scientific field. and I'm not saying psychic ability's aren't not real, but when your trying to do a real scientific investigation you really need to use proven methods to conducted your investigation. And for the reason I don't use EMF detector's I know OMG! but from what I know Electric Magnetic Fields are every where and in every thing so they just go off on there own with out the help of a ghost. so in my opinion inconclusive results. and no Divining Rods! the equipment I do use are. for “EVP's” a simple recorder for video I use a mini DV and and digital camera. I like to keep it really simple when it comes equipment. I am a believer but I'm really big on debunking I think it is very important to the validating evidence's process. and with that said I don't just go on gut feelings all though I do get them but in a scientific investigation gut feelings are gust not enough. no seance's / sé·ance I hate the way that word is spelled it should be Sayonce. Or witch craft or praises or any type religious stuff during a investigation. it's okay to offer religious stuff after the investigation if you think it will help the person who is having the problem. I cant really think of any thing ells right now Ill add more as this thread moves along. keep in mind there opinions, it cool to debate them just pleas try not to kill each other over them.

[Mr Mehaha]

oh and no Quija boards! Ill and more when i think of them.

Edited January 15, 2008 by versidus

[JustNormal]

Good thread here V..I dont believe in Ouija Boards, or dowsing rods because they are part of the occult, so who knows what someone might conjur..I would rather see a team, hold hands and talk to the spirit with respect. The one thing I detest is provoking, there is no need of that, spirits will come out but not if they are being ridiculed and threatened, thats just wrong. If it is a negative spirit, we have seen the results, of someone getting injured after provocation. I believe its a pretty good idea, to have someone on board who is sensitive, or a medium. I dont mean a hokus pokus kinda person, just someone who can begin communications with the other side..I am tried of EMF detectors too, they only show cold and hot spots, but most people feel that anyway. I like the termal imaging, here and there. I believe in basics when it comes to ghost hunting, but thats just me. Go in, set up, talk and listen to clients, and investigate, and resolve the problem, that isnt that hard to do, IF it is done right. Again just my opinion..JN

[Lolipopkid]

There is no exact science to investigating the paranormal. If there were we would have much better information on the subject. Any evidence is up for scrutiny until better equipment is available. I use a digital recorder, a video recorder, and camera. I do not believe in the Ouija board, or magical cards. I am skeptical of most instruments used by others. They are inconclusive in my opinion. I do however like to take things to help them interact with us, such as balls to move, and things like that. To this day I think we are still far from achieving any solid evidence that will with out a doubt link the world of the dead and the one of the living together. I often wonder what it would take to convince everyone that they do indeed exist. Whom ever invents that devise is going to be filthy rich.

[SilverRain Queen]

I belong to a Ghost Research Society and go along with the group as their 'sensitive'(psychic). I'm not there to tell them if there really is one there or not. I'm there first as a scientist. Although I do believe in the paranormal, I also believe in rational explanations first. I am and always have been a problem solver. I like to know how things work and how to fix them. If I cannot find an explanation, I don't make assumptions. I do however, having learned from past experiences with entities/spirits/ghosts, to the signs and symptoms of a possible presence. Thus offering validity of obtaining possible evidence with our devices. I'd love more than anything to provide credible evidence of such things, and have my own equipment. Now, sometimes these entities/spirits/ghosts need alittle proding to manifest themselves. Whether it be speaking to them, or trying to communicate in some other fashion. As far as Ouija boards go, it's such a slow process and you never know if Johnny and Susie are moving the glass with you or not. If an entity/spirit/ghost REALLY wants to communicate, they can actually type on your computer. So that proves to me that they don't always want to communicate. They really just want everyone to leave them alone and get the hell out. We are just natural curious humans and want to know why they hang around and cause disturbances, and how to deal with them and maybe get rid of them. I do 'smuding/cleasning' of homes for people with these disturbances, and really, I feel like I offer a pest control service. If I or my colleagues ever do obtain evidence UM will be one of the first to know!

[NoahJaymes]

Well this all boils down to the case you are working on. If it is small like a cemetary or some other urban structure where you weren't necessarily called its a whole new playing field.

Paperwork first and formost. A lot of groups simply just hit these places up without first getting permission. How is this going to be a successful investigation if you are constantly looking over your shoulder. For a non-residence such as a cemetary (which I only investigate for my book) or an abandoned location I first notify the local Police Department. Ask permission from whoever owns the location, whether it be the town/city/state or even private owners. A lot of groups avoid this because they are afraid of rejection. I have never been turned down when seeking permission. Its how you approach the situation. In Fayetteville, NC in the historic part of town there is a market house rumored to be haunted. I simply went into the police department and asked if we could get permission to investigate from such and such to such and such time. They said yes, gave us valuable information and provided police escort due to gang activity. ALWAYS GET PERMISSION PRIOR TO INVESTIGATING ANYWHERE.

Research is probably one of the biggest contributers to a case. Research is needed for ANY case. I usually spend anywhere from 2-4 weeks on research alone. That long because well, I have a life and the digging is endless. I find in order to be successful in research you must have contacts. Historians, lawyers, doctors, librarians basically anyone who could give out valuable information. You know how easy it is to get help from a contact regardless of profession? Just an email or phone call away.

For a private residence or business. Again an ample amount of paperwork is needed. More so for businesses. Anyway, I try to hold off on the research aspect till after the investigation. Otherwise your cheating yourself. Before the investigation, I have the interviewers who actually work in the human resource department of their choice of work interview the clients. It is an extensive interview covering basically everything you can think of. During this interview two recorders are running, while the girls are taking notes. One girl is focused on body language and eye movement. The other girl is focused on the questions and questions alone. I decided to go this route after we conducted an interview and realized they weren't serious about it. After the interview, the girls get a guided tour of the location while writing down notes of possible complications. Complications being crowded appliances, small rooms with no walking room etc. After the interview the girls tell the clients that we will hold a meeting, discuss everything they went over in the interview and set up an investigation date. The meeting usually happens within a few days of the interview.

During the investigation, depending on the size of the location I man about 5-8ppl per investigation. Two man teams for safety and the witness factor. I have the same interviewers talk to the family and get as much updated information as possible. Also basically get a feel for their comfort level. We do investigate all areas of the location, but do focus on the "active rooms" the most. Having 5-8 ppl per investigation is perfect. A two story house I want little interference as possible. I have two members on the monitors(2) watchin the cameras and one watching the wireless audio streaming. We usually have 4-8 cameras on a private residence running at a time, depending on the size. We make sure we have all angles covered with no interference from light sources, we all know how light screws with night vision. Two on the monitors, two conducting their initial investigation on the first floor. I don't like multiple groups investigating at the same time, especially on seperate floors. Limits the possible implications. So, again depending on the size, a team of investigators can spend up to 2hrs on one floor alone. Taking pictures, evp work, handheld video work all while wireless and the camera system is also catching all around them. Again, all angles. After their work on the 1st floor, i send the other 2 man team upstairs to investigate again depending on the size also depends the duration. Conducting the same, taking pictures, evps, video work while the wireless and video is continously running. After they are done, we hit the active rooms hard. Spend as much time in there as neccessary. After everything is through, we have about 6-7hrs of investigative time under us. If there is really no activity we will call it a night. If we are having a lot of activity we will talk with the homeowners and see if they will allow us more time.

After the investigation is wrapped up, we usually have a question session with the homeowners. If they have any questions they can ask then. I have had question sessions last up to 3 hrs. It all depends on the family. We do not leave till they are completely satisfied. Before we leave, I give them my personal number and email. I always inform them if anything else happens, no matter how small to either email me or call me at any hour. If they want us to come back and investigate we will be there within the same day. I also tell them that the duration of research and evidence review can last up to a few weeks. This is not to say we are ignoring them, but we want to cover everything, get others opinions and make sure we done a complete job rather than leaving tidbits out.

Research is the easy part. Local land and area history report, deeds, death records, accident reports where fatality is concerned.....the research is endless. While this is going on, evidence review is also going on. I am very strict on evidence review, no slacking. So i set it in phases. 4 hours of evidence review a day, log it all, keep your logs. Have everyone go through and do evidence review doing the same. At the end after everything is accounted for, everything watched, everything listend to we have a meeting and compare notes. We go over the clips everyone documented and discuss them. After we feel we have what we feel is solid evidence or lack there of we call up the clients and schedule a meeting.

At the meeting we go over everything possible. I hand them all the research papers, make them copies of the evidence if they want it and I write them up a full investigative report often 5 pages long. I make sure nothing is left out. I make sure they are happy with everything and if they have any questions I answer them. If they want more information on perhaps a blessing or otherwise I give them my contact information to various churches within the area. Once everything is settled and they are content, again they have my information and can feel free to contact me at anytime. I have done up to 4 follow up investigations at one location, I will always be there.

[JackalnChainz]

First of all, I don't need no fancy shmancy insterments to tell me there's a presence. I know the paranormous is there. I don't believe in the rational, ie...

If there's a cold spot, it aint no draft buddy. You can damn well bet it's a freak'n spirit standing right there! Electro-magnetic what? Huh? I aint sure bout all that. But I know the difference betwixt sleep parasites and a freak'n demon a reach'n in and puttin the squeeze on me! Knock on wood. Hey, if you're a hear'n whispers...ya know that aint in your mind. Right? There's a spook blow'n in your ear pal! Wake the hell up! And that scratch'n sound aint rats partner! Time to load that ol' flatbed up, and get the hell outta Dodge. Now that theres' some real professional advise. Bess heed it too, if'n I was you. Cause if you'ra depend'n on these hip hop paranormous detectives to solve yor ghosty problems, ya bess pack enough lunches for a long time there buddy boy. They might impress yor daughter, but they don't know squat about shoo'n off haints! Take it from me partner...toss in a fiver of ethel, and a freak'n match! That'l teach them devils from hell! Rational shmational. I'm a real genuine ghost hunter. Yup. I betcha I've burned maybe four houses already this here year. Sends them nasty spirits run'n down the road with der hair on fire and der azzes a ketch'n. I used to have one a dim weeger boards, but I used it to plug a broken winder pane. ~uh..dis herez been Jackals uncle from Arkansas...uh, word to yor momma.

Edited January 15, 2008 by JackalnChainz

[Belle.]

~uh..dis herez been Jackals uncle from Arkansas...uh, word to yor momma.

Sheez Jackal I think i nearly choked when I read that

A really big ghost will have to be PARANORMOUS now!

[AngelXVI]

It is my opinion a good team should consist of PI's, psychologists and mediums, its sort of like fighting fire with fire. There is a big difference between ghost hunters and being a PI in my opinion and would like to see PI licensed as they deal with people and emotions, and if their investigations are not done in a correct and civil manor they can do more harm than good.

I don't think any reasonable person would call a PI team in unless they had good cause, it is one thing to hear noises, or maybe a door opening on its own these can always be ruled out as natural causes, but when people are effected by paranormal events eg seeing them is a totally different matter.

Regards to equipment, can it be reliable? EMF readers in my opinion can't really detect anything paranormal. I have tried and tested it!!! As for cameras if the haunting is intelligent the spirit/ghost can be quite evasive and batteries are soon drained or the camera malfunctions. I haven't tested a video camera yet... but if I do I will let you know my outcome... I agree with cold spots they are a classic sign.

These are just some of my thoughts and opinions... It is not intended to offend anyone

[SkylarYoung]

A pen and paper is the investigator's and researcher's best tool along with their ability to use it. Documenting everything that you encounter is by far the most important thing. Before going into an investigation there needs to be a certain level of skepticism about the haunting. After the investigation and once all the information is compiled then conclusions can be made. When I work with a medium or someone who is sensitive I like that person to keep their part of the investigation to themselves but documenting everything in the process. That I find tends to keep others in the group in a more investigative mode of operation. Only if that person feels their is immediate danger to themselves or the group will they share with the rest of the group. Once the initial investigation is done and the information is compiled then a determination can be made in regards to a second and more thorough visit should be made. This is done because a in depth investigation is disruptive to the individual live of all concerned.

As far as equipment goes I like to use it all except for Ouija boards. As there is no real defined common research method on this area yet it is important to collect all that you can. EMF detectors for example are useful in area outside and away from any major power source. They are also useful in determining if the site has a high level of EMF and where abouts it is located. By using this device for no other purpose than comparing location to location I have noticed and documented stronger levels of activity in those place with high EMF readings. And I am continuing to pursue that in in investigations so that I can begin to develop theories regarding that. This is why I say its important not to dismiss any tool that you have at your disposal.

A question for people, has there been a topic started in regards to EMF detector use and detection with this particular tool?

[AngelXVI]

A pen and paper is the investigator's and researcher's best tool along with their ability to use it. Documenting everything that you encounter is by far the most important thing. Before going into an investigation there needs to be a certain level of skepticism about the haunting. After the investigation and once all the information is compiled then conclusions can be made. When I work with a medium or someone who is sensitive I like that person to keep their part of the investigation to themselves but documenting everything in the process. That I find tends to keep others in the group in a more investigative mode of operation. Only if that person feels their is immediate danger to themselves or the group will they share with the rest of the group. Once the initial investigation is done and the information is compiled then a determination can be made in regards to a second and more thorough visit should be made. This is done because a in depth investigation is disruptive to the individual live of all concerned.

As far as equipment goes I like to use it all except for Ouija boards. As there is no real defined common research method on this area yet it is important to collect all that you can. EMF detectors for example are useful in area outside and away from any major power source. They are also useful in determining if the site has a high level of EMF and where abouts it is located. By using this device for no other purpose than comparing location to location I have noticed and documented stronger levels of activity in those place with high EMF readings. And I am continuing to pursue that in in investigations so that I can begin to develop theories regarding that. This is why I say its important not to dismiss any tool that you have at your disposal.

A question for people, has there been a topic started in regards to EMF detector use and detection with this particular tool?

I haven't seen one, but from my experience they are not conclusive.

[Mr Mehaha]

During this interview two recorders are running, while the girls are taking notes. One girl is focused on body language and eye movement. The other girl is focused on the questions and questions alone. I decided to go this route after we conducted an interview and realized they weren't serious about it.

wow NJ, you are thorough on your investigations very cool man. whats you book called has it been published yet? ill buy a copy man. like i said on the rant thread i like to read other PI research in the field. i especially like the part above, i never though of that! good info... i have a lot of respect for you and your methods. but as for JackalnChainz i don't about him. those kind of methods are not really for scientific research. i mean it would be ok to do that kind of stuff in your own home but not on a scientific investigation!

First of all, I don't need no fancy shmancy insterments to tell me there's a presence. I know the paranormous is there. I don't believe in the rational, ie...

If there's a cold spot, it aint no draft buddy. You can damn well bet it's a freak'n spirit standing right there! Electro-magnetic what? Huh? I aint sure bout all that. But I know the difference betwixt sleep parasites and a freak'n demon a reach'n in and puttin the squeeze on me! Knock on wood. Hey, if you're a hear'n whispers...ya know that aint in your mind. Right? There's a spook blow'n in your ear pal! Wake the hell up! And that scratch'n sound aint rats partner! Time to load that ol' flatbed up, and get the hell outta Dodge. Now that theres' some real professional advise. Bess heed it too, if'n I was you. Cause if you'ra depend'n on these hip hop paranormous detectives to solve yor ghosty problems, ya bess pack enough lunches for a long time there buddy boy. They might impress yor daughter, but they don't know squat about shoo'n off haints! Take it from me partner...toss in a fiver of ethel, and a freak'n match! That'l teach them devils from hell! Rational shmational. I'm a real genuine ghost hunter. Yup. I betcha I've burned maybe four houses already this here year. Sends them nasty spirits run'n down the road with der hair on fire and der azzes a ketch'n. I used to have one a dim weeger boards, but I used it to plug a broken winder pane. ~uh..dis herez been Jackals uncle from Arkansas...uh, word to yor momma.

[NoahJaymes]

Thanks. The name of the book is "The Myth that is Haunted Ohio". An author by the name of Kathleen Walls interviewed me in 2006 about a hotel we investigated. After reading my article on the investigation she insisted I write a book about my experiences. So here I am. Not sure how I am going to break the book down as of yet, but the basis is going to consist of the following.

-Background of the story-what is rumored to be happening. Sorta like any other paranormal book out there, gives you little short stories of what happened.

-Our investigation in depth

-What our research found-including witness accounts, extensive interviews, ect.

-Final Conclusion

Basically it works as mulitple sources. Works as a "Haunted locations in ohio", works as a ghost hunting guide, shows how to do research. Most importantly it shows how a paranormal investigative group approaches an investigation without all the lights and cameras. There are no episodes clipped for time restraints. Everything reported, saw, experienced , researched will be in the book.

Basically this book isn't necessarily opt for the public, but a training tool for my team. I might chuck it out there who knows.

As far as Jackal, it was his attempt to be funny. Guess someone was bored.

[JustNormal]

First of all, I don't need no fancy shmancy insterments to tell me there's a presence. I know the paranormous is there. I don't believe in the rational, ie...

If there's a cold spot, it aint no draft buddy. You can damn well bet it's a freak'n spirit standing right there! Electro-magnetic what? Huh? I aint sure bout all that. But I know the difference betwixt sleep parasites and a freak'n demon a reach'n in and puttin the squeeze on me! Knock on wood. Hey, if you're a hear'n whispers...ya know that aint in your mind. Right? There's a spook blow'n in your ear pal! Wake the hell up! And that scratch'n sound aint rats partner! Time to load that ol' flatbed up, and get the hell outta Dodge. Now that theres' some real professional advise. Bess heed it too, if'n I was you. Cause if you'ra depend'n on these hip hop paranormous detectives to solve yor ghosty problems, ya bess pack enough lunches for a long time there buddy boy. They might impress yor daughter, but they don't know squat about shoo'n off haints! Take it from me partner...toss in a fiver of ethel, and a freak'n match! That'l teach them devils from hell! Rational shmational. I'm a real genuine ghost hunter. Yup. I betcha I've burned maybe four houses already this here year. Sends them nasty spirits run'n down the road with der hair on fire and der azzes a ketch'n. I used to have one a dim weeger boards, but I used it to plug a broken winder pane. ~uh..dis herez been Jackals uncle from Arkansas...uh, word to yor momma.

LOL Hi Jackal and Uncle..Loved it..

[Mr Mehaha]

LOL Hi Jackal and Uncle..Loved it..

lol you would!

[NoahJaymes]

lol you would!

Took the words right out of my mouth lol

[667-Neighbor of the Beast]

I think one of the most important things to do, or rather not to do, is to discuss things such as "feelings" or "vibes" in front of the client at all, which is why I do not think a medium of psychic is good to have on an investigation. An investigation is there to determine if a place is truely haunted or not. They are looking for evidence. And they are there because someone is seeking help. A psychic or medium is not proof of anything, and could only possibly further the clients fears unnecesarily. If no hard, scientific evidence is found, but a medium or psychic gets a "feeling", the client is more likely to believe that there is something there.

An investigation should be more than a single stage investigation. If scientific evidence is found, of any type, then a second investigation using a psychic or medium should be set up, or however the client wants to handle it from there.

Paranormal investigators are there to help the people, and the last thing we want to do, is to panic someone for no reason. Stick to the regular old gadgets. I personally use night vision handheld cam, digital still frame cam, digital voice recorder, wired IR cams and DVR, and a few things like candles(ghost are rumored to be attracted to candle flames), and a few other objects that I like to take depending on what type of spirit is believed to haunt the place(toys for kids, etc.).

Edited January 15, 2008 by BIGK1974

[RX-7]

If mediums or psychics claim to do what they can do, then I guess there would be no harm in bringing them along. After all, it would be much better to get them to point at the direction where they can feel the energy rather than you having to search for it. Better yet, why not get them to call out the ghost!? A number of haunting investigations have been successful this way...

[Mr Mehaha]

I think one of the most important things to do, or rather not to do, is to discuss things such as "feelings" or "vibes" in front of the client at all, which is why I do not think a medium of psychic is good to have on an investigation. An investigation is there to determine if a place is truely haunted or not. They are looking for evidence. And they are there because someone is seeking help. A psychic or medium is not proof of anything, and could only possibly further the clients fears unnecesarily. If no hard, scientific evidence is found, but a medium or psychic gets a "feeling", the client is more likely to believe that there is something there.

well said big1974! i do think psychic or mediums or priest and/or religious things including witch craft should be offer after a investigation finished up to a client if they wish... I'm not all to big on feeling on a investigation. because you could just be influenced by the environment and im not saying thats what it is just saying could be. it sounds like you have been on a few good investigation your self? I would like to hear more if so.

[AngelXVI]

If mediums or psychics claim to do what they can do, then I guess there would be no harm in bringing them along. After all, it would be much better to get them to point at the direction where they can feel the energy rather than you having to search for it. Better yet, why not get them to call out the ghost!? A number of haunting investigations have been successful this way...

I agree... most spirits just need to be rescued and sent to the light after all they were people once!!!

[Mr Mehaha]

If mediums or psychics claim to do what they can do, then I guess there would be no harm in bringing them along. After all, it would be much better to get them to point at the direction where they can feel the energy rather than you having to search for it. Better yet, why not get them to call out the ghost!? A number of haunting investigations have been successful this way...

my reasoning is, in a scientific investigation you really should use proven scientific methods to to gather valid evidents to bring validity to the paranormal research field. after all i think what all paranormal researcher are striving for is the validation of the field.

[AngelXVI]

So for the sake of science you are willing to make a soul/spirit suffer more????

[Mr Mehaha]

So for the sake of science you are willing to make a soul/spirit suffer more????

i never said you cant offer something spiritual AFTER a investigation. just not during a investigation and yes "for the sake of science".

[667-Neighbor of the Beast]

So for the sake of science you are willing to make a soul/spirit suffer more????

We are not making any soul/spirit suffer more. First and foremost, you need to prove that a soul/spirit is even there!! You can take a self proclaimed psychic along, but how do you know that psychic can really do what they claim to do?? There is no way to measure it. What if that person is a fake, and claims to have helped a spirit at an investigation move on to the "other side", when in fact, they did nothing of the kind, and the spirit that might actually be in that house is still there when the investigation is over?? Wouldn't that be more cruel, because that spirit could be stuck there in that place, because everyone would believe that there is no longer a spirit there.

Proof of a haunting needs to be established first, then more "spiritual" methods can be used to do what needs to be done after that. Otherwise, you could do more harm than good, to both the client, and the spirit in the place.

[667-Neighbor of the Beast]

well said big1974! i do think psychic or mediums or priest and/or religious things including witch craft should be offer after a investigation finished up to a client if they wish... I'm not all to big on feeling on a investigation. because you could just be influenced by the environment and im not saying thats what it is just saying could be. it sounds like you have been on a few good investigation your self? I would like to hear more if so.

Been on a few, but honestly, nothing too exciting. I've just been out on investigations before with "sensitives", and it really amazes me how much "evidence" they feel, when there is absolutely nothing concrete to back it up. I don't tell most people this, but no one on here knows who I am anyway, but I can and have "felt" presences, and have had psychics with some credibiltiy in my eyes back up the feelings I have, without me saying a word about it. And, the times when I have been out on investigations, and actually caught scientific evidence on EVP, photo, video, whatever, I actaully "felt" these things, wrote down my feelings, and later saw or heard something at the same time to back up my feelings. So, when these so called "phychics" or "sensitives" tell me they feel things on investigations, and I feel nothing, and there ends up being no evidence whatsoever t back up their feelings, it just causes more problems. I've seen clients start to panic when these people claim to have these feelings. I've seen the investigators want to pack up and leave, or worse, concentrate all their efforts to one spot in a house, where there is nothing going on.

Spritual means of investigating should be used as a backup, or secondary means on investigating. It is not a proper way to do an initial investigation.