Most Important Criteria
All investigations have prerequisites and ghost hunting is no exception.
- Research parapsychological literature about apparitions, poltergeists and hauntings, collectively referred to as ghosts. Know that which is to be hunted. Don’t believe some of the current literature about ghosts being dangerous and vengeful, therefore hurting investigators. While these writers may mean well, this has rarely, if ever, happened to experienced ghost hunters.
- Be objective. Don’t assume the phenomena are genuine no matter how sincere the experients appear. Hoaxes and frauds abound in the paranormal, as evidenced by Ocean Born Mary: Ghost or Legend.
- Get permission before all investigations. In cases of property involvement, when the owner is unknown, a courthouse title search will provide this information. If the landowner won’t be present, obtain written permission. If investigations are conducted without permission, participants can be arrested and prosecuted for trespassing.
- Check local laws. Some municipalities have ordinances as to times when people aren’t allowed in locations, such as cemeteries and public parks.
For the most part, when publicized phenomena occur, Haunted Philadelphia Prison, for example, ghost hunters get in touch with the appropriate people. Contact may also be made because of a direct request from experients, like the case of the Haunted Hollywood Plastic Factory, or referral to the experients. Some parapsychologists learn about the phenomena in the media is which led to William Roll and J. Gaither Pratt investigating the Miami, Florida Poltergeist.
Basic Questions: Initial Contact
People might be frightened by experiencing the paranormal. If this happens, reassure. Don’t express opinions as to what the phenomena are yet.
Get details of the events and ask questions. Notice feelings and thoughts you experience. Take notes or ask for permission to record the conversation, making you sure tape the consent.
- Have others witnessed the incidents? Who?
- When did the occurrences start?
- How often and what times do they happen?
- Is there a pattern?
- Have normal causes been ruled out?
- Have you contacted the police, a clergyperson, mental health professional, medical doctor, psychic or parapsychologist?
- Has there been media contact?
- What can be done to help?
- Are you willing to permit an investigation? It’s best to get this in writing as well as a waiver of liability.
Ask the person to write a summary of the events with as much information as possible and to keep a detailed journal of incidents as they happen.
To Investigate or Not
Review the notes or tape of the conversation. Consider your thoughts and feelings. Make an assessment and decision. If fraud is suspected, the case can be investigated to debunk.
Preparing for the Investigation
Contact colleagues to assist. It’s not a cardinal rule never to investigate alone. This is primarily a safety issue when the requesters are strangers. It’s best to have at least one other investigator present so nothing is overlooked. Highly respected researchers, including Dr. Nandor Fodor and D. Scott Rogo, have done solo investigations.
Is equipment needed? Ghost hunters have a choice of EMF detectors, infrared thermal scanners, night vision equipment and air ion counters. Wind chimes, referred to as “ghost catchers,” are used to detect air disturbances. Whether to employ these is a matter of choice. Many highly respected parapsychologists believe psychics are the best “detectors” of paranormal activity. Please refer to The Angry Bootlegger’s Ghost investigated by the American Society for Psychical Research.
Take pens, papers and a recorder to document the investigation.
Sources:
ESP, Hauntings and Poltergeists, Loyd Auerbach, (Warner Books, 1986)
On the Track of the Poltergeist, D. Scott Rogo, (Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1986)
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