Investigating the paranormal is not what you see on television, so before you go diving in, make sure you know the REAL aspects to this work.

Reality #1 – Investigations are typically uneventful.

While the TV does its best to drum up noises, shadows, and unexplained events, the reality of most paranormal investigations is that they are pretty boring. Even when there are claims of frequent physical activity or apparitional sightings, there’s no guarantee these things will occur when the team shows up. In fact, sometimes quite the opposite is true and things go quiet.

If you are with a group or team who is heavy into the use of technology, you will most likely spend much of your time focused on the use of equipment and gaining various forms of measurable results, but quite frankly, there is virtually no evidence indicating that any known instrument is capable of ‘detecting’ an Apparition. The closest measurements suspected thus far is that of geomagnetics and equipment for that is not cheap or common. (You can read a good article on geomagnetism & Hauntings HERE.)

That’s not to say you can’t gain EVP’s or have some interactions with a Spirit through technology. Just bear in mind that the pursuit for real answers also involves ruling out potential explanations of any results based on other Psi or non-psi related possibilities. For example, many parapsychologists believe that the real cause for EVP’s and other device phenomenon (known as ITC) is actually the result of living agent PK – where the living is actually responsible for effects on devices.

Regardless of what devices you may use, you can have some interesting effects but those really have to be explored for alternative explanations.

For those groups or teams who utilize psychics or mediums, also referred to as “sensitives,” things may be slightly more interesting during an investigation. The sensitive may provide information that is helpful as well as verifiable, and mediums may interact with spirits that are present. Despite this aspect, it is important to remember that a real investigation is often pretty dry and uneventful.

Reality #2 – Real Investigations are time-consuming and require a lot of work.

Investigating is not all fun and games – although sadly this is often the case for teams who are just out for a thrill. It is important to remember that there are real people having real issues and they are usually turning to fringe resources for assistance. This requires respect and understanding, as well as the ability to listen and to apply some basic knowledge of Parapsychology.

Pre-investigation, a great deal of time needs to be spent simply interviewing the people involved. This means looking for various potential explanations for any claimed activity and narrowing those down to likely causes. This may also involve research into facts and details about related places, events, and/or people. It may require educating yourself more or even finding alternative resources to help you better assist the client.

If an actual on-site investigation is warranted (which is not always the case), there is the time spent to arrange the investigation, to drive to the location, to conduct the actual investigation, as well as the time required for any equipment set-up and break-down, to conduct any experiments, and to allow any sensitives to do their work.

Investigations are typically held in the evenings in order to help reduce noise contamination, so you won’t be getting home until sometime around midnight or even later. Depending on the location, such as bar or business that closes late, it may even be in the early morning hours before you get to finally fall into bed.

Post-investigation, all technology recordings need to be analyzed. This involves downloading the files into the appropriate software, then spending hours examining those files. If anything is found, the evidence needs to be reviewed, cleaned (not altered), and clipped for sharing and reporting. In the paranormal group I worked with, most of our clients received a written report as well as a DVD of any audio or video findings. Individual files must be collected from each investigator and collated into a single report. Research and validation of the sensitive’s findings need to be collected and reviewed so they can be added to the final report.

Upon completion of the final report, there is the follow-up meeting and spending time with the client about any findings. This also involves providing education and options for potential resolution. In some cases, additional education and follow-up assistance may be required, especially if activity continues.

So, while it may sound cool to attend an investigation, the actual amount of time and effort involved with the entire process can be quite extensive – not always – but it can be.

Reality #3 – Most investigations by paranormal groups are not really “scientific,” but they should still be focused on exploring and finding answers.

Most people who do legitimate paranormal work would agree that finding answers regarding the nature of the activity and if there is any actual spirit interactions is the intended goal, also with the intention of helping clients and providing education or awareness. Unfortunately, although every group seeks to utilize so-called “scientific methods,” very few are actually utilizing any form of science, not to mention working in the field can make traditional science difficult. After all, there’s no controlled environment nor can spontaneous results be duplicated in a lab by other experimenters. Being in the field also makes any potential evidence prone to contamination and therefore attributed to non-psi related explanations.

With that said, exploring the paranormal can still be about the pursuit of answers in a scientific manner. Every case can provide insights and learning into people’s personal stories and experiences thus contributing to the body of knowledge regarding these experiences. Interviewing and asking questions starts the process along but this requires careful documenting and recording of the location, of all witness stories and reports, and including any details from sensitives who may have been utilized during the process. Research is also a part of the scientific process – not only discovering data and information about the environment and site but also knowing and expressing the currently accepted models of science regarding the given experiences. In addition to these steps, one can draw conclusions about potential causes, evaluate and perhaps even test for those. So, why fieldwork is not your traditional laboratory experience, fieldwork can still be conducted in a scientific manner. It all depends on the group, their intentions, and how they handle the process.

Reality #4 – Investigations are about helping people and being professional, not thrill-seeking.

Investigating historical locations can be fun, although it can sometimes be hard to gain access into a location. Doing so requires openness on the part of the owner, as well as trust that the team coming in will respect the location and conduct itself with integrity. I can assure you this does not always happen. Some thrill-seeking teams have given paranormal groups a bad name due to their lack of respect and poor professionalism. If a group such as this leaves a bad taste in someone’s mouth, then it only makes it tougher for other groups to gain access and do respectable work. Establishing a good reputation as a team is essential – along with liability insurance and confidentiality agreements.

Where most of the real work happens is with people who are in need of help – the personal and ‘residential’ cases. For those who claim activity, whether it is real or perceived, they are turning to an investigative team for genuine assistance. Having the experience, knowledge, and resources to offer them help is a critical part of the work. To the people having these paranormal experiences, the situation is very real. They are not reaching out to give you the opportunity to ‘ghost hunt.’ They want and need answers and are relying on you to provide it. A good team should be able to provide that.

Unfortunately, some investigative groups are less about the people and more in it for themselves. This may be about their need to have an actual personal encounter, or perhaps they are looking to be the next group to have their moment of fame and glory. Sadly, I spoke to many clients who invited a team into their home. The team came and did their investigation but then the client never heard from them again – most likely because they found nothing and/or had nothing to offer in the form of education or awareness. This is devastating to someone who is looking for help and answers, not to mention downright rude.

If you plan to deal with businesses and people who are reaching out to you for paranormal assistance and inviting you into the locations, then proper care should be given. If you don’t have the time, knowledge, resources, or genuine willingness to help them, then keep your investigations to those locations and situations where your findings and personal assistance are not required.

Reality #5 – You need knowledge AND experience, but no one will ever have all the answers.

As far as I am concerned, a basic knowledge of parapsychology related topics is a must. There are many teams comprised of people who will simply assume that all activity is paranormal and then also assume that it is always related to some active and intelligent spirit. This is not always the case and is often far from what is really happening, so finding a team who can be objective as well as open is the best course of action.

While objective awareness and education are important, sometimes science and book knowledge alone is not enough. Let’s face it, the science of the day doesn’t have all of the answers nor do they always have it right. Those with intimate experience with psi and paranormal events can offer a personal perspective and understanding that can’t be found through academics. We certainly need to understand the current science and the potential avenues for activity, but at some point, science has its limits and we need to be capable of moving outside the box. In other words, we don’t want to be so rigid as to close off the idea of potentials that may even be fringe within the field of parapsychology.

In addition, it is helpful that the team have some field experience. Certainly, everyone has to start somewhere, but if you plan to create your own group then there are plenty of ways you can do paranormal work without starting directly with clients. Get your feet wet, get some experience, do you research, learn your ITC, evaluate various explanations, and explore paranormal related topics – academically as well as personally. You can find places to go to do your work and just practice. It doesn’t have to be a ‘haunted’ site or some spooky location. In fact, one of our investigations was at one of investigators homes. She had a 3 acre plot of land. We got together for a barbecue, ate, had fun, then as the world got quiet we broke into teams and did some investigating just to see what would come up. In this way, you can practice techniques, explore options, and find methods for how you would like to work and you can do this anywhere. NOTE: Unless it is a public place open during your investigation times, never be on a property without permission of the rightful owner.

So, while paranormal work is great fun and an amazing experience, don’t ever forget it is real work. It is also work that most people will not respect nor will they pay for. This means you pay for all your expenses unless the club charges its members dues and buys the equipment. Even then you will still need to invest in your own recorders, software, and other minor gear that you prefer to use. Paranormal groups are seen as a hobby, even if for some like myself it is a serious pursuit. Despite this, never forget the impact and importance of what you are doing!

Cheers & Wellness,

Carol