Paranormal Investigations 101- Guidelines for Newcomers

This is a guest post from Arnav Choudhary.

The very fact that you’re reading this article tells me you’re interested in ghost hunting, and you have questions to ask. All of us started at this same point, so I’d like to share some of my acquired knowledge with you.

It really doesn’t matter whether you are engaging in this exciting adventure just for fun, or if you, like all of us, wish to explore scientific proof of life after death. So far, no one has proved it in such a way for scientists to take notice. Maybe you will be the first to do that.

To begin with, be aware that ghosts are just “people” who aren’t alive anymore! The body has been discarded, but the soul or personality of that person is just as he/she was in life.

If Uncle John was a negative, hateful person while alive, Uncle John will be a negative, hateful spirit after death. And vice versa. Being dead will not change one’s personality.

Therefore, you may find yourself interacting with negative souls. To protect yourself from them, do what Super Paranormal suggests: mentally surround themselves with a white light and say a prayer, or request help from whatever belief system they espouse. Others wear jewelry that makes them feel secure, or carry an object in a pocket or purse. A cross, for example. Others sprinkle holy water in the area they are investigating. What is right for you is fine, but be sure to do it!

In my opinion, the most important tool you will need is your own enthusiasm, an open mind, and respect for the entities with whom you are trying to make contact.

You may ask if it would be possible to talk to them, and to take their picture. Be courteous, because they will hide if they don’t want to interact with you! It’s all right to talk and laugh with the people accompanying you, but do so quietly.

Most of our best EVPs have resulted from normal conversation. Screaming or other loud noises will cause them to run for the hills!

Aside from the mental attitudes mentioned above, you will start out with a few tools.

1. Cameras: What kind it is isn’t really important. We’ve gotten favorable results with the disposable and the expensive cameras alike. Digital cameras are favored by some because you will have the immediate results instantly, and costly development is not required. However, if your photos are ever questioned, concerning validity, you will have no negative to back you up. Therefore, if you have a digital camera, fine, but also be sure to back up you shots with a 35mm. 400 or 800 film is recommended, as it is faster. I prefer the 400 myself. I have a Sony digital camera and an inexpensive Canon 35mm point-and-shoot. Be sure to take extra batteries! When you begin to get results, you will find that entities use your own energy, as well as the energy from your camera, flash light and other tools you may have with you.
2. Flashlight and extra batteries: Batteries are short- lived on a successful ghost hunt! I have a regular flashlight and a 1,000,000 candle power lamp, both bought at Wal-Mart, and I’m sure hardware stores would have them as well. The 1,000,000 watt lamp was approximately $20.
3. Hand held thermometer with humidity reading, if possible. I bought mine at Ace Hardware, if I remember correctly. Very inexpensive.
4. Tablet and pen are important to keep notes of where you took your pictures. (Also make notes concerning the time, month and day of the week, weather conditions and who is present.) Otherwise, you will look at your pictures of trees, grave markers, etc. and say “Now where did I take this one?” All of us have done this, so experience is the best teacher, as they say.
5. Tape recorder or a digital voice recorder should be carried with you in the hopes you will pick up paranormal voices, called EVPs. Electronic Voice Phenomena. Be sure not to let it rub against your clothing or other equipment. That causes scratchy sounds you often can’t identify. If possible, simply carry it in your hand, remembering not to cover the microphone. Extra batteries for tape recorders! Always, extra batteries!
6. Video camera with night vision. We have caught many moving objects with our video cameras and highly recommend this for any ghost hunter.

For those of you who would like to have more advanced equipment, may I recommend:

1. Infrared Non-Contact Thermometer, commonly called a “thermal scanner”, which takes temperature readings, thus checking for cold spots which often indicate the presence of ghosts.
2. Gaussmeter which will indicate places within a home where there is electricity flowing, e.g. wiring within the walls of the dwelling, outlets, etc.
3. Electromagnetic Field Meter, which indicates the change in the electromagnetic field in a designated area, indicating the possibility of elevated paranormal activity. I highly recommend the Tri-field Natural EM Meter. Although it is costly, (approx. $250.00) it is by far the most accurate instrument for ghost hunting purposes.

Other instruments used frequently are: geiger counters, ion particle counters, infrared motion detectors, relative humidity gauges and many others.

Now that you have the basic tools, let’s discuss where you will go to find the elusive spirits. Of course everyone knows about cemeteries.

Cemeteries: Why would a departed soul hang around a cemetery? Good question. Your answer will be as correct as the next person’s.

Old schools, hospitals, factories, churches, homes are good choices. Anywhere people were together in great numbers. Wherever there have been people, there is the possibility of one or more of them lingering there for their own personal reasons.

Why old buildings? They’ve been around a long time, time to absorb different types of energy, emotions.

Of course, new homes or buildings may have resident ghosts as well. You then will need to consider the land itself. Chances are favorable something else was on that spot before the present dwelling. If you know where a tragedy took place, explore that possibility. It seems to be that spirits often stay on this plane because of a tragic, sudden death. Perhaps they don’t realize they’re dead, or need to finish business, stay with a loved one, or beloved property.

If you feel uncomfortable with the idea of seeking results where someone else’s life was snuffed out, by all means follow your conscience.

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: Some cemeteries (and buildings) are posted. When we were investigating the most haunted places in America, there were few places where no one was permitted after dark.

“Keep Out.” “Danger.” Be sure you obey these rules. Otherwise, the local police may get to know you better than you wish.

Also, be very respectful of the graves and the stones in a cemetery. Remember, they were living human beings, like you and me, in another time. Desecration of these final resting places is unconscionable.

Also, obtain permission to go onto someone else’s property in order to conduct an investigation. Many old, abandoned dwellings are unsafe to walk about in.

Also, indigents often sleep in these ruins. Be very careful. As most ghost hunts are done at night, you must also be aware of other real, live folks who are in deserted areas with evil intentions.

Again, I stress: BE CAREFUL! Always go in numbers and it is best if some of these friends are male.

About the Author

Arnaz Chaudhary manages the website Super Paranormal. He lives in Kolkata.