Conducting a Paranormal Investigation

In recent years, interest in the paranormal has increased, and more and more people are becoming interested in investigations. In this article I will discuss some techniques, the do's and don'ts of an investigation and some tips and tricks to investigations.

When conducting a paranormal investigation, there are several important things to remember. What you see on TV is completely different from what you will experience on your own investigation. And it also important to know that not everything is demonic, or evil. Malevolent spirits arent necessarily demonic. When a person dies, and remains as an earthbound spirit, for the most part will have the same personality as they did when they were living. And as far as investigating locations, there will be down time where nothing happens in between capturing evidence. There are also times that you may experience nothing at all. And this is common. It dosent mean the location is haunted, it just means the spirits that are haunting the location are not active at that moment. I have had this happen a few times at a few different locations. But on return visits, I'll capture a picture, or some evps on my digital recorder. Just be patient.

It is generally recommended when conducting an investigation that you go with a team of at least three people and no more than six, but it is also important to know that the more people you have on your team during an investigation, increases the chances of contaminated evidence, depending on the size of the location.  Investigating with a team of at least three people will allow a thorough investigation of the location in its entirety. Depending on the size of the team and the size of the location being investigated, you may have to exclude members. This will prevent investigators from being on top of each other during the investigation or the possible contamination of evidence. This can be a hard decision, so there are a couple things that you can do. You can set up a "command center" of sorts. If your team has a DVR system set up to record video footage from static cameras placed in the location. The term "Static Camera" refers to cameras that are non-moving, and in a fixed location like being mounted to a tripod. You can also take turns investigating the location. One part of the team can be in the command center reviewing video and audio and documenting the timestamps of any phenomena. Team members can swap out at certain intervals, like an hour or two hours. Doing this can help to review footage quicker.

As an investigator, I have investigated locations on my own, but this is not always recommended as you do not know what you will encounter at any location. It is also recommended that you investigate with at least one other person, this is for safety purposes and also to validate any phenomena that has occurred. However, investigating with a large team in a smaller location, such as a private residence, can be pointless as the location can be congested, as well creating the possibility of contamination of evidence.

Now, some pointers for an investigation include

-While investigating, it is not recommended to investigate on your own. Even as a seasoned investigator, it can still be dangerous. When conducting an investigation, it is important to let someone know where you are going, even if you have someone with you. And bring your ID with you in case something does happen.

-Before beginning an investigation, it is important to make sure that you have the permission to be at the location. Do not trespass. 

-Research the location that you intended to investigate. This will help you identify any reported phenomena at the location. Knowing the history of the location is important, it will allow you to better communicate with any spirits that are tied to the location.

-Once permission is obtained to be at the location, and you have conducted your research into the property, visit the location during the day so you can learn the area. This can help you locate spots that you want to focus on for your investigation, and also will allow you to locate sources that could be a potential problem, or areas where phenomena is reported, but is caused by natural sources, like abnormal EMF readings due to faulty electrical equipment or drafty windows. It is helpful to have a floorplan of the location so you are able to plan placement of necessary equipment, or any hotspots.

-Now before you leave for your investigation it is important to make sure that you are prepared for your investigation. This includes making sure that all of your batteries are charged and you have all of your equipment ready and together that way you are not having to scramble to get ready last minute. It is also important to make sure that you have extra batteries. A common occurrence that is reported is the draining of batteries. No batteries means no evidence. You do not need tons of equipment, or the most top of the line equipment. In most cases a digital camera, and a basic digital recorder and a few flashlights. Most digital cameras come with a function that allows you to record video, you can also use your cell phone, or an actual video recorder. I am not going to go over all of the equipment that can be used during an investigation, that will be another article for a later date.

-Protecting yourself during an investigation is one of the most important things to consider when entering a location that is reported to be haunted. When investigating, you can never be sure of what energies you may encounter, especially if it is a new location that you have never investigated. While there are many things that you can do to protect yourself during an investigation like saying a prayer of protection to your ancestors, or which ever deity that you recognize. My personal favorite is the White Light Visualization technique, which you will find information on this in another posting within this blog.

-When conducting an investigation, it is also important to not just rush in "guns a blazing". You have to remember that most of the spirits that you will encounter were once living people, and you cant just stroll into a strangers home and carry on like you would if you were in your own home. 

-When conducting an investigation, it is important that you communicate in a respectful manner. Chances are, these spirits have not spoken to anyone in quite some time, and will be more than willing to communicate with you. Remember that you are an outsider, so introduce yourself and explain why you are there. If they respond to you in any way, thank them for their communication. When you leave, be sure and thank them for having you. When investigating  a location, especially a private residence of someone seeking help, do not do anything that would be considered provocation. Remember, you will be leaving the Client to deal with the aftermath of whatever you cause. Provocation of spirits during an investigation for a client is immoral and can cause more issues than the client is already experiencing. 

-Make sure the client is in full understanding of what you and your team is going to be doing. The interview process at times can be a very intrusive process. Let the client know that it is important that they be as honest as possible. It is also important that when investigating for a client, that a waiver is signed. The waiver must include the signature of the client stating that they grant the team permission to be within the home, even if it is a repeat investigation.

-Before starting the investigation, it is important to know what functions each member of the team will do. Taking pictures, recording video of the investigation, what equipment is available and who will be using it. This is an important part of the investigation, so team members are not right on top of each other, or using multiple devices at the same time that can contaminate evidence. If there is no structure, the investigation will be a mess.

-When conducting the interview, the whole team can be present so they are aware of the reported phenomena, but it is important to limit the people asking the questions to one or two members. The interview is part of the investigation, so this should be recorded on video as well as a digital recorder. For my current team, I have a questionnaire that is used for each investigation. It covers questions about all those living within the location, the history of the property and the reported phenomena.

-After conducting the interview, the team should have the client do a tour with them, going over what phenomena occurs in what location on the property. This should be captured on video as well.

-If certain phenomena occurs on a regular basis, or is triggered by something that happens within the home, or the phenomena occurs after the client goes to sleep, a camera may be installed in the location to monitor the activity before the location. Or if the client is able to, they can record these events themselves.

-It is important to follow your instincts when conducting an investigation. If you feel the urge to take a picture in a certain spot within the location, then do it, even behind you. When I take pictures, I take multiple of a certain spot. The more pictures you take, increases your chances of catching photographic evidence of phenomena. 

-Before leaving, communicate with the spirits of the location, letting them know that it is forbidden that anyone on the team be followed home. You can pray to your chosen deity, or ancestors and ask them to grant you protection to guard you when leaving. 

-You can do on the spot review of pictures or audio, but this may be a little difficult to review all of the footage captured. It is good to have a command center set up with a team member or two that can review footage as the investigation goes on. If no phenomena is captured, this does not mean the location is not haunted, and it may indicate that another visit to the location may be needed. If no phenomena is captured, the team may require the client to capture the phenomena on their own with pictures, audio or video set up in the location to provide to the team.

-There must be an open path of communication for the investigation team and the client. That way you can reach out to them to see how things have been since the team was out, and also for the client to be able to report any new or on-going phenomena. If no phenomena is captured, the client must document the activity on their own, as well as keep some kind of journal so they can write down what happened, when it happened and if there was something that was done that may have triggered the activity. This could be something as simple as the client smoking a cigarette, or renovation of the property. Doing this, will help to determine if it is a pattern, or if there are certain times or certain triggers that cause the phenomena to occur.

-It is important to know that there are times an investigation is conducted where no evidence has been captured. This can happen more often than you might think. Going into a location for a few hours is different from someone living with the phenomena on a daily basis and spirits do not always speak or interact with you on command.

-Always conduct your investigations to the highest level of professionalism, as a paranormal investigator, your credibility relies on the word of mouth of your clients. And please remember to leave the location as you have found it.