Investigating Paranormal Activity

The existence of ghosts and the paranormal has been a topic of debate and controversy for centuries. With something so abstract it is nearly impossible to find fact in every ghost story. These tales are many times shrouded in myth, legend, and superstition.

However, there are those who make it their life’s work to prove the existence of ghosts and the paranormal. These people, known as paranormal investigators, use various tools and methods to detect any presence of energy that may be other worldly.

The modern field of paranormal investigation requires much more sophisticated tools than one may think. Professional investigators use an array of various technological gadgets and tools, each with its own unique purpose. For basic equipment, most investigators would go nowhere without some type of energy meter, a camera and a voice recorder.

For the more seasoned investigator, an electromagnetic field meter (EMF) and an infrared (IR) thermometer are crucial to a successful and thorough investigation. An EMF detects high levels of electromagnetism, but they are not ‘ghost detectors.’ An EMF only captures the information, but it is up to the investigator to decipher this data. High readings near telephone lines or wiring may be false positives, but a presence in an abandoned building or open field are likely to be more suspect.

An IR thermometer will simply detect changes in temperature, but as with EMF readings these readings must be analyzed and all other sources must be ruled out, before deeming it supernatural.

Paranormal investigation is a serious field of study. It’s not about ghosts and spooks. It’s about trying to understand the unexplained ~ John Zaffis

Some of the latest visual technologies include structured light sensor (SLS) cameras that use infrared to create a 3D image of  the thermal signature or movement of spirit entities; full-spectrum cameras that can capture a wider range of light than the human eye to capture images of paranormal entities that are invisible to the naked eye; and thermal imaging cameras that also uses temperature to detect paranormal entities by picking up on their cold spots.

The most popular sound technology used for investigations is the  electronic voice phenomena (EVP) recorder that captures ‘voices’ and other sounds. And the newest addition to the toolkit of paranormal professionals is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) software to analyze EVP recordings for patterns and anomalies that may indicate the presence of paranormal activity.

No matter what technology is used, the purpose is always the same: documentation. It obviously does an investigator no good to report a fantastic sighting without having any audio or visual evidence to back up their claim.

But what are the true signs of a paranormal incident or haunting? While an actual sighting is the most obvious indicator, there have been reports of other strange signs of hauntings. Strange smells or noises in one’s home, for example, can be an indicator of an otherworldly presence. These minor signs can become stronger and more aggressive depending on the level of haunting.

It is also not uncommon for people to report changes in their own moods or behaviors, which could be an indication of the presence of a being or entity with ill intentions. Every person’s experience is different, which is why it is difficult to develop a concrete list of signs.

Paranormal investigation is a science. We use scientific methods to collect and analyze data in an attempt to understand the paranormal ~ Grant Wilson

This is one of the reasons why professional paranormal teams often choose to include a gifted psychic or medium in their team, because they are helpful in interpreting the readings, images and sounds captured by devices. Psychic mediums also help to perceive and interpret the mood and emotion associated with detected activities.

When a haunting has been confirmed, it is recommended to send the entity to its final resting place so that it may be at peace. If someone thinks they are being haunted, they can try home remedies or even seek the services of someone who is trained to help guide these lost spirits to the Light, such as a priest, shaman or psychic medium. Using home remedies, such as smudgibg with sage, is said to be an effective way to ward off minor entities.

Hauntings and paranormal events can be fascinating, but they are not to be taken lightly. Every investigation and research attempt should be made carefully and responsibly. Clearing your home of a haunting or other paranomal activity is often not as simple and easy as it may seem in the movies or on television. It may be best to call in the help of professionals.