Proper procedure and the techniques used in paranormal investigation is certainly far more detailed than what follows and could easily fill volumes. What does follow are simple and basic rules that all investigators and researchers should adhere to in order to insure a properly conducted investigation. Most reputable research groups and freelance investigators conduct themselves using methods and techniques based on these same rules.
1. Never Trespass on private property: This rule is especially true at private residences. Always be careful around vandalized cemeteries that are closed at night. Many of these places are posted, so always get written permission first.
2. Never go alone: Forget about the chances of being murdered, abducted, or getting lost; it is always a good idea to take someone on an investigation with you. Another person, or preferably more than one, will most likely see something that you may not. It is always good to have independent corroboration of a site.
3. Keep your perceptions clear: If you are going on a long, or overnight, investigation, bring along something to eat and drink. Always avoid anything that might have a strong odor or could impair your senses like alcohol or other drugs. You will also want to avoid smoking as this can interfere with your sense of smell and your photography. Also, concentrated tobacco smoke will retain a heightened thermal reading for up to a quarter of an hour. Not at all noticeable to us, but very detectable to properly calibrated instruments.
4. Let someone know where you are going: It is common sense to leave word with someone as to the investigation site....but be careful who you tell, you just might have a friend who likes to play practical jokes.
5. Always do research first: Before you investigate a site, try to find out as much about it as you can. Go to the library and check out the history of the place. Ask around and see if anyone knows any old stories about the place. You might be surprised to find the cause of the haunting is part of the location's history or linked to a former owner. Have experienced researchers do a preliminary investigation. Many times this is where a natural cause can be found for the "haunting" (banging water pipe, the wind, or whatever) and this saves the time and energy needed in performing an investigation. You have to be careful how you explain this to the witness, that his ghost isn't a ghost at all. The most experienced investigator or the group's leader will usually handle this having developed the necessary skills needed in such a situation.
6. Arrive with a healthy case of skepticism: While you're there to research paranormal phenomena it is always important to maintain an open mind, remembering that the place may not be haunted. Always do your homework first and know what to look for to determine if the place has ghosts or natural explanations.
7. False Readings: Be careful that you learn to use your equipment properly before going to the investigation site. Always rule out all natural sources for EMR (Electromagnetic Radiation), ESR (Electrostatic Radiation), ELF (Extra Low Frequency), AIRC (Atmospheric Ionic Radiation Content), Gauss readings and so on before you assume it is a ghost. Make sure one of the group or someone else nearby isn't making an unauthorized cellular telephone call or the area isn't naturally "hot" due to weather, sun activity, geologic conditions (aquifers, underground streams and certain mineral deposits). These are some of the things that should have been observed and noted during the research and preliminary survey of the suspect area. Any one or a combination of these will send instrument readings skyrocketing!
Here is how to insure you are getting a more accurate reading
Move the meter around (or the probe in the case of the CellSensor) until the maximum reading is achieved. Record this maximum reading. Then take the next reading by pointing the meter (or probe) either 90 degrees up or 90 degrees down from the original orientation. Record the new reading. Return to the maximum reading. Then point the meter (or probe) either 90 degrees right or 90 degrees left and take a third reading. Again, record the result. Then square each of the three readings, add them together, and take the square root of the result. This is the final result. Therefore, if the first reading was 10, the second reading was 6, and the third reading was 3, the final result would be the square root of 145 (100+36+9) or a bit over 12. Note the final result is always greater than each of the individual readings.
8. Proper use of your camera: Use your camera with care and make sure that the mechanisms are clean and there is no dust on the lens. Make sure that you don't fire a camera flash into a mirror or highly reflective object and that there is nothing protruding in front of the lens, like a finger. And for goodness sake, be sure of where your camera strap is at all times! We have a standing rule with any researchers we investigate with that if your camera strap does not go around your neck, then remove it prior to the investigation.
9. Clients and Witnesses: Make sure that the client/witness at the location, if there is one, is comfortable with the situation and understands fully what you are going to be doing in your investigation. No surprises! Let them hold the instrument and even carefully play with it in order to understand the equipment. Explain why the recorders are going and why you will be taking so many photos, etc. To you its painfully redundant, but it's not you you're concerned with here, it's the client or witness. Bottom line, its up to you whether the client finds it all new and fascinating or threatening and even terrifying!
10. After the Investigation: Even in situations where the preliminary investigation was performed correctly you may not turn up anything in your investigation. It does not mean the location is not haunted, just that it's what you found it to be...quiet. If you have tracked down any natural sources for reported phenomena and ruled them out, then perhaps the ghost was not active during your visit. This is the reason follow-up calls and repeat visits are important and why mutual trust and respect is everything between a group's members and their clients. No one wants a bunch of fools that didn't know their ESR from the EVP to come back! Assure the clients feel they have control over the situation and encourage clients through your actions to contact you again should the phenomena return.
11. Logs and Diaries: It is also important that you keep a log, diary or written report about each investigation, even if it has a natural cause. The report should give a full detailed account and have input about everything that you did. A copy of this report as well as a written summary is ALWAYS given to our clients or investigation contact as a courtesy.
12. Confidentiality: This is a major consideration when investigators are dealing with the public and those that do not respect this above all other considerations ruin it for everyone. Always respect witness or client confidentiality. This applies to locations as well as people. The worst fear that these people have is the ridicule of their peers and neighbors after you're long gone.
13. Be a paranormal investigator, not a "ghost hunter"!: There is a huge difference. Paranormal investigation takes time, patience and is a learned skill taught by those whose knowledge was gained through personal experience. It's the responsible, serious study of paranormal phenomena under as controlled conditions as each individual circumstance will allow. Ghost hunting, on the other hand, is (most of the time with all good intention) merely learning or hearing about a certain place, grabbing a flashlight (perhaps a camera and recorder as well) and going there to see what "shows up" and then making conclusions based on that experience. Please...take the time to learn from those who know and join a reputable group in your area.
14. Secure your investigation site: Even with top shelf equipment and the best people possible using them the entire project is a waste of effort unless the area is secured from all outside influence. To best insure this, the following guidelines must be strictly observed: [1] If there is a ceiling fan or other device that will physically move the air, make sure it cannot turn on even accidentally. [2] Make note of any pets in the area and request that they be kept to one room if possible. (3) Do not allow perfumed deodorants, scented oil, perfumes, incense, smoking or cologne at the site period. (4) Keep client socializing and "observers" down to a bare minimum. (5) Keep physical movement to a minimum. [6] Turn off all cel phones and Ionic Air Cleaners in the investigation area. [7] Keep hair that is longer than two inches netted or otherwise secured. [8] If anyone needs to scratch, send them outside the investigative area...people have dander too! [9] Keep all areas being actively surveyed for EVP clear of unnecessary traffic, noise and conversation. [10] AFTER GETTING CLIENT PERMISSION, using a garden sprayer LIGHTLY spray a 1oz Isopropyl Alcohol (NOT ETHYL) to 1 quart water mix over the area. This will prevent most organics as well as noseeums from becoming part of the photography. The mixture will usually last for two hours under moderately warm conditions and indefinitely in colder conditions.
14: Most Important: LEARN AND KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHEN YOU HAVE FOUND SOMETHING AND WHEN SOMETHING HAS FOUND YOU!
CLICK HERE FOR GLOSSARY OF PARAPSYCHOLOGICAL / PSI TERMS