What’s an “Investigation”?
There are many groups trying to do the right thing. The problem is that there are no truly scientific tools to help them do the job. Other groups are out to make some cash, or are just out for the thrill of the chase.
These are some common things a group may do to try to provide some ‘proof’.
EMF Sweep
An EMF sweep is an attempt to find electro-magnetic fields. A small amount of EMF is harmless. Larger amounts (from unshielded electrical cables) can theoretically result in physical symptoms such as nausea, paranoia, feelings of dread or being watched, and so on. Investigators may decide to do an EMF checkup if the homeowner reports any of these creepy feelings in a particular area (often basements, attics, and stairways). A typical reading for a home should be less than 2.0 unless the reading is taken near electronics or appliances.
EVP
Electronic Voice Phenomena are alleged to be disembodied voices or noises that occur in a digital or analog recording that is not heard at the time of the recording. Keep in mind that inexpensive recorders may produce false results due to a low sampling rate, spurious noise in the background, and susceptibility to other sources (radio station interferance, for instance).
During an EVP session, the investigators may try to talk to the entity to induce it into conversation – by asking it questions and then listening for an answer.
Photos
Whether they are black and white, color, infrared, thermal, or even video, investigators love to take photos. A photograph on its own may not be good evidence due to easy availability of digital graphic software, or just odd lights and shadows that can happen for many reasons.
Thermometers
The theory goes that if you find a cold spot, it may be because a spirit is trying to manifest itself, and is draining heat out of the air to try to do so. Please keep one fact firmly in mind: the laser thermometers are designed to read the temperature of a solid object – not the air. They are great for finding leaky windows, insulation problems, and the temperature of pets, electronics, soup on the stove, or ice in the fridge (or anything else that comes to mind). They also have a specific distance rating – from a few inches to a few feet – and anything outside of that range will read as ‘cold’. Each model thermometer is a little different.
To get a ‘cold spot’ in the middle of the room documented, you need to have an ambient air thermometer, not one of the laser guys. So if your investigators get excited about a ‘cold spot’ in the middle of the room with laser thermometers, just go along with the floor show – there shouldn’t be any extra charge.
Sensitives
A group may have a member (or more) who shows up with dowsing rods, charms, or claims of being able to sense the presence of spirits (or talk with them). Sensitives will likely do no harm at all, but keep in mind that this is the most highly unscientific end of the investigative spectrum.
Going “Lights Out”
Why turn off all the lights? Some investigators believe that turning out all of the lights is the only way to proceed. This may be insisted on – even if the homeowner only reports events when the lights are on. The only thing going “lights out” does is increase the creepy factor for the investigators, and makes for better youtube fodder. The negatives include more difficult navigation around the property (and related safety issues) and problems adjusting eyesight to flashes from cameras or flashlights.
