Lets Talk Tech…
An introduction to some of the better known Ghost Hunting tools of the trade
By, Paul Bradford SPI & GHI
Ok so as a ghost hunter you know that if you want to produce evidence then you’re going to need something to capture that evidence. Yes it’s a general rule of thumb that all you really need is a pen and paper and an open mind, but lets face it if it was that easy to prove the existence of ghosts most of us would go back to collecting stamps or soda caps, For me capturing, or at least attempting to capture evidence is the best part of the hunt. But how do we go about doing that? Being that there is only a handful of tools specifically designed for the use of Ghost Hunting how are you going to know what’s the best tool to use?
So should you take out that second mortgage for the latest thermal imaging camera or can you just spend $30 on a cheap digital camera. Let face it with so many different people telling you need this or you need that it can be somewhat overwhelming as to know what you really need. So heres a good rule for the person starting out:
Infrasound Experiment
Para.Science members conducted groundbreaking research beneath Edinburgh’s haunted streets as part of the 2007 Mary King’s Ghost Fest.
Using specialised equipment designed and manufactured by team co-founder Steve Parsons, unsuspecting members of the public were blasted with Infrasound to test the idea that this powerful but inaudible sound energy might be responsible for some of the ghostly encounters reported inside Mary King’s Close.
Click here to see the prelimiary results from this exciting experiment
A pair of massive 3 metre long sound generators developed from an earlier design by the National Physical Laboratory were used to generate infrasonic frequencies below 20Hz. The system known as ARIA – Acoustic Research Infrasound Array was first used at the “Silent Sound” concert performance held at Liverpool’s historic St. George’s Hall on September 14th , 2006. It has also featured in a Discovery Channel 2 hour long Infrasound special “The Tiger’s Roar” first shown on February 11th 2007.
ARIA is capable of delivering Infrasound as low as 12Hz at an earth-shaking 140dB although for the experiments at Mary King’s Close it was running at much lower sound levels.
The “Human” Aspect of Paranormal Investigations
The “Human” Aspect of Paranormal Investigations
Recently, I attended a spiritual seminar in Cassadaga, Florida. While I’m not what I would consider psychic, I have been told that I am empathic or sensitive to the emotions of those around me…living or dead. While it has taken me quite a long time to understand and accept that possibility, I realize that it does in fact explain quite a lot of things that seem to occur in my life. That, however, will be the subject of another column at a later date.
Smudging
Smudging: A New Age of Tomfoolery
By John Nopaosak
Because the paranormal exists in all of the cultures of the world, it is only fitting that the plethora of cultures should also contribute some mystical and magical method of dealing with said phenomena. As far as I am concerned, since there is no scientific basis for ghostly encounters in the first place we should all feel free to try anything once, and most paranormal groups have. We use all sorts of meters, devices and superstitions to increase our chances at capturing the ultimate in phantasmic evidence. While trying anything is certainly an acceptable strategy for covering all of the bases, my suggestion is always to know what you are getting; especially if you paid for it.
One of the most common suggestions for ridding oneself of ghosts has always been to burn some sage in your room. The application of the sage varies from placing it in a shell or pot and letting it smoulder to fanning it with an eagle feather into the four corners of your room. No doubt this practice has its roots in Native American mythology. American Indians tend to be the “Sam’s Club” of the paranormal. We spit out lake monsters, Bigfoot, little people of the forest, giant birds who feast on thunder, you name it, and we got it at a bargain. But is smudging smoke really a good method for removing ghosts?
False Orbs
False Orb Experiment
By Rich
Purpose
The false orb experiment is intended to offer a large selection of non-paranormal orb pictures, descriptions, and production methods. A large array of reference images will be very helpful for determining potential authentic paranormal orb images. The experiment will give information on what caused the false orb. Descriptions of how the orbs were produced is also available for people who want to repeat the experiment themselves to see if their results match.
Ghosts and Religion
Ghosts, Investigating, and the Fundamentalist Christian
By: J.Brown - Independent Research Associate
Many, upon reading the title of this essay, will be saying, “This newsletter deals with the paranormal, leave religion out of it” yet those same readers will argue that ghosts and hauntings are spirits of the deceased. Clearly, both topics are concerned with the afterlife, consequently they must be considered relevant to each other. One may argue one or the other doesn’t have any bearing on each other. But to do so in the case of religion, he must discount millennia of study by literally millions of people. Or to discount the existence of something akin to ghosts, the observations and evidence obtained by numerous qualified witnesses must be ignored. Neither of these options is indicated, so it becomes imperative to find a way both religion and what we define as paranormal can coexist. Are there commonalities that bridge this gap?
Before You Form a New Group
Before You Form A New Group….
By J. Brown
http://www.jimsdestinations.com
Independant Research Association
Before you form a new group or even join a fledgling new one; there are a few things you need to consider. If you intend to do any serious research there are a few things your group will have to decide as they begin their investigative work. Probably the first is your own background and understanding of exactly what is required. If your background consists of watching every episode of Ghost hunters and Paranormal State as well as every paranormal special ever aired on TV; You’ve studied them and decided that is not so hard, I can do that, well stop right here. You have just learned how NOT to do it. Actual investigating is not confined to a 30 minute or 60 minute time slot. Cases aren’t resolved every week with just a couple visits. In reality you will probably be required to make numerous visits, put in hours of research learning the background of the area, possibly call in outside consultants for areas you are unfamiliar with, and be ready to provide assistance to your clients. If you aren’t ready and able to do this, then you are not ready to form your own group. So how do you prepare?
Conducting Baseline Readings
Conducting Baseline Readings on Investigations – Improved Control Techniques.
By Michael Watson, Co-Founder of Oceanic Ghost Research
At some investigations, baseline measurements are made prior to the commencement of the proceedings. This is where we take readings, using specific instruments such as EMF meters and thermometers, showing initial or ‘normal’ conditions. Why is it important to do this? Well, we need to know what typical readings for a location are before the investigation starts so we can readily differentiate anomalous readings during the investigation.
However, are there problems with this approach?. In the interim, how do we know the baseline readings are typical of that location? They might, by pure chance, happen to be the highest or the lowest readings, for the day. Secondly, if we get notably different readings during the investigation, how do we know these aren’t just part of a natural daily, hourly or irregular, but normal, variation unrelated to paranormal phenomena?
Mel-8704 Pro Nav – Review
We recently acquired a Pro-Nav version of the Mel meter from Rusty of Haunted Downunder, the sole Australian distributor, and thought we’d see what this new meter can do.
The meter was designed with paranormal research in mind by Gary J. Galka of DAS Distribution and marketed through Pro Measure. The meter is named after Gary’s eldest daughter Melissa who passed away in 2004.
Gary’s intuitive approach to designing the meter shows heavily in its range of features and it’s also great to see that development is ongoing as new ideas are incorporated into updated models.
Although technically NOT the only instrument on the market able to simultaneously monitor EMF and temperature (many data loggers can do so with a range of sensors), it is without doubt the first to do so at such a low cost. But as far as dedicated EMF meters go, this is a first! The cost together with the fact the meter satisfies many of the paranormal investigator’s “wants” in a EMF meter, assures this will become one of the most popular units on the market.
