Ghost Hunting Equipment 101

GHOST HUNTING EQUIPMENT, TIPS & PROCESSES
Since the beginning of time man has been curious about the afterlife. What happens to us after we pass? That 'haunting' question has plagued him and driven him to seek a better understanding through both spiritual/philosophic examination and scientific research.

Generally speaking, the field of paranormal investigation has been led by those who prefer to rely on spiritual and psychic means. With advancements in technology, and civilizations growing more skeptical, many are turning to a scientific approach. As paranormal investigators our goal is to provide undeniable proof of paranormal activity and discover techniques to advance our knowledge of what lies beyond our current scope of understanding.

Below is an outline of some technologies that can be used for paranormal investigation and ghost hunting. Keep in mind the field of paranormal research is still completely theoretical at this point; we can only speculate on what can be used and provide advice from others who have used them. These are some tips and advice compiled from fellow paranormal investigators, which I hope will provide you with a basis from which to conduct your own research into the paranormal.



GHOST HUNTING vs. PARANORMAL INVESTIGATIONS
First, the difference between Ghost Hunting and a Paranormal Investigation. Although they may seem the same, there is a big difference in the methodology and objective of each:

Ghost Hunting - Generally speaking, Ghost Hunting is the process of investigating locations that are reported to be haunted by ghosts, typically done in a location already previously deemed as active.

Paranormal Investigation - A Paranormal Investigation, however, is performed by a team who set out to collect evidence to prove or disprove claims or suggestions of paranormal activity. This is typically performed as a result of a client requesting assistance in validating or debunking claims of paranormal experiences.



BEFORE THE INVESTIGATION
Fact Gathering & Research - The best tools at your disposal are "the facts". Our job as paranormal investigators is to gather as much information as possible. This information will be pertinent in conducting a professional, efficient and accurate investigation.

■Learn as much as you can about the location you’re going to be investigating
■Research the history of the location including possible catastrophes
■Interview the client and any people involved with the location, including residents, employees, owners - whomever might have knowledge of potential activity (for the sake of the client's confidentiality, get their permission before contacting others)
■Know your team - know their strengths and weaknesses


REQUIRED GHOST HUNTING GEAR
For safety and proper documentation I recommend having the following items on every person for every investigation:

■Audio Recorder - An audio recorder is a must-have for any investigation - particularly on a client investigation. This is primarily to document the entire investigation as well as protecting yourself and your team in the event the client makes claims later that you said or did something you did not. Having an audio documentation of the entire proceedings should protect you in this event. See more information on types of audio recorders below. It's helpful to call out the time to your audio recorder (called 'tagging') every 20 minutes or so. This is helpful when reviewing the evidence later.
■Flashlight - A must-have for any investigation, particularly at night and in darkened areas.
■Lots of Batteries - Because most equipment utilized during an investigation is portable and requires batteries, make sure to have a stockpile on hand of every type you may need.
■Notebook and Pen - This is particularly helpful when interviewing clients, jotting down areas of interest on an initial walkthrough, and documenting activity as it occurs.
■A Watch - A watch is required to 'tag' your audio recorder and to note the time throughout the investigation. One with a backlight is particularly helpful.



STANDARD GHOST HUNTING EQUIPMENT & GEAR

Audio Recorders
Audio recorders are a handy tool, not only for recording EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) but also for documenting your investigation. In addition, this audio documentation can prove to be helpful in the event a client claims you have said or done something you haven't.

As noted, the main reason for having an audio recorder on hand during an investigation is to record potential EVPs. This phenomena occasionally is heard when an intelligent being is attempting to communicate with us. This can come through as a voice, taps, or other audible disturbances. This is particularly notable when heard as a response to a question or a request for signs of one's presence. (For more information on EVPs see the article EVP Classification System).

There are two main types of audio recorders:

Digital Audio Recorder - Digital audio recording, a more recent technology, uses an internal hard drive to record audio. This gives you the ability to record for many hours depending on the size of the internal drive. They are typically very small and will probably include the ability to plug the device into your home computer to retrieve the audio file, typically via a USB connection. This audio is usually in a standard format such as MP3, WAV, or WMV, depending on the type of recorder you have. Most recorders will also allow you to separate your audio into folders, making it easier to note what each recording is for. Most digital audio recorders require a separate USB cable. There are, however, models that plug right into your computer via the USB without the need for a cable.

Tape Recorder - Tape recorders, unlike digital audio recorders, utilize an analog tape to record. Some people stand by this older technology claiming it records in a more natural environment. I prefer the ease of use and efficiency of the digital. In addition, because of the moving gears in tape recorders, they tend to pick up sounds generated internally by the device. This can be detrimental to your evidence collecting.

How Do You Transfer Audio From Your Digital Recorder To Your Computer?

Now that you've gotten your digital audio recorder, how do you get the audio off the recorder on to your computer and clip out what you want. Since all manufacturers do things slightly different, you should read the manual that came with your device for instructions. That aside, you can generally follow these basic steps:

■Plug your digital audio recorder into any available USB slot. If you're not sure what that is, basically plug it in anywhere it will fit (but don't force it!).
■Macs and most PCs with Windows 2000, XP or Vista will automatically detect the device
■Find your device and your audio files.
■MAC: Open your Finder. You should see a mounted drive in the top left corner indicating the device. Click on that and browse the folders to find your audio files (typical formats include MP3, WAV, or WMV). Double click the file to listen.
■WINDOWS: Go to My Computer. You should see a mounted drive somewhere indicating the device. Double click on that and browse the folders to find your audio files (typical formats include MP3, WAV, or WMV). Double click the file to listen.

How Do You "Clip Out" Sections of the Audio and Edit?

Now that you've gotten the audio file onto your computer you're ready to review the evidence. Once you've found something interesting you'll most likely want to clip out that section to send to your team for review or put on the internet, right? To do this, you need a program capable of doing this. There are many out there, so here are a few suggestions:

■Audacity: Great applications for simple tasks like clipping and cleanup, plus, it's FREE!
■SoundForge: This is my favorite application for advanced audio tasks.
■Adobe Soundbooth: The standard Adobe suite for production editing. Works seamlessly with Adobe Premier for integration with video and Flash.
With each of these applications you can visually see the audio levels while you're listening. To clip out what you want, simply select the area with your mouse and Copy/Paste the section to a new file. Some applications may also have an option to save the selected area to its own file. TIP: When clipping possible audio for evidence, select at least 30 seconds before and after the focal area. This helps those listening to get a better idea of what is happening during the time of the activity.



Cameras
One of the basic tools of every investigation is a camera. They are not only used for detecting paranormal activity, but also for documenting your investigation. There are several types of cameras out, each serving a different purpose.

Digital Cameras - Digital cameras are, of course, the easiest to use. Because you can transfer high quality photos directly from a digital camera right to your computer it saves time and money in having to process film. The drawback, however, is that many are not as flexible with their settings and have (in many cases) and long lag period when taking photos.

Camera Modifications (IR/Full Spectrum) - Cameras can be modified to see further into the light spectrum than we can see with our naked eye. On one end of the spectrum is Infrared (or IR) while on the opposite end is Ultraviolet (UV). Cameras can be modified through adjusting or removing filters to see deeper into either end of the spectrum. Conversion of the camera to see deeper into both IR and UV is called Full Spectrum.

There are different theories as to what constitutes good Full Spectrum. In some cases the filter is removed and in others it is replaced to see IR and UV but NOT the visible spectrum. I consider the latter (where visible light is blocked) as a multi-spectrum modification, not Full Spectrum. While this method may be practical for daylight uses where bright visible light can overlap the IR and UV, this is not an issue when conducting nighttime paranormal investigations in mostly dark settings.

Suggested Cameras:

Full Spectrum Digital Camera - Takes quality Full Spectrum photos and video with the convenience and ease of a compact digital camera

Infrared (IR) Digital Camera - Takes quality IR photos and video with the convenience and ease of a compact digital camera



EMF Meters (Electro Magnetic Field)
EMF meters measure fluctuations in electromagnet fields (or EM fields). These fields are a direct result of electrical appliances in home, cell phones, power lines outside and even fluctuations in solar activity and weather. Beyond that, a primary theory in the paranormal world is that entities can manipulate these fields in their attempt to manifest themselves or interact with our world. The units of measurement registered on an EMF meter are called milligauss.

There are a large number of EMF meters on the market with various features. Differences between the two most popular, Single Axis and TriField (or tri-axis), are:



Single Axis EMF Meter -

Single axis EMF meters, like all EMF devices, measure fluctuations in electromagnetic fields. These meters however read these fluctuations in one direction. Typically this direction is directly ahead of you (as you hold the device in front of you with the display up). Some, like the Cellsensor meter, include an attachable probe which you can move around independent of the meter. This is helpful in ensuring the device isn't moving around too much which can affect the readout.

Suggested Single Axis Meters:

Cellsensor - As far as single axis meters go, I prefer this one. It has an audio and visual alarm to alert you when higher readings are detected. It also includes an attachable probe independent of the meter. Not to mention, this unit is quite affordable.

Digital EMF Meter - This meter has a digital display for better accuracy in documenting specific readouts.



TriField, or Tri-axis, (EMF) Meter -

TriField meters measure fluctuations in electromagnetic fields but in 3 axis (X, Y and Z). These devices measure in all directions.

TriField Natural EM Meter - This meter is considered the best for paranormal investigation. It measures magnetic, electric and radio/microwaves, focusing primarily on naturally occurring 'DC' fields. These currents are considered to be more indicative of paranormal activity.

TriField Meter - This meter offers magnetic, electric, and radio/microwave detection in one package. It includes an analog readout and an adjustable audio alert. However, it focuses primarily on 'AC' or man-made electrical and magnetic fields. This meter is effective for detecting man-made currents to debunk client's claims of 'feeling watched' which can be caused by faulty wiring and/or electrical leakage. For detecting paranormal activity the TriField Natural EM Meter is the better choice.




Camcorders / Video Cameras
Another basic tool for every investigation is some kind of video capture device. Camcorders (or handheld video cameras) have become a staple mainly along with the more recent affordability of them. They can be used not only for detecting paranormal activity but for documenting your investigation. There are a number of types of camcorders, modifications and accessories to mold it to your use and investigation style.

Full Spectrum Camcorders and Cameras - Most camcorders can be modified to see further into the light spectrum than we can see with our naked eye. On one end of the spectrum is Infrared (or IR) while on the opposite end is Ultraviolet (UV). Cameras can be modified through adjusting or removing filters to see deeper into either end of the spectrum. Conversion of the camera to see deeper into both IR and UV is called Full Spectrum.

There are different theories as to what constitutes good Full Spectrum. In some cases the filter is removed and in others it is replaced to see IR and UV but NOT the visible spectrum. I consider the latter (where visible light is blocked) as a multi-spectrum modification, not Full Spectrum. While this method may be practical for daylight uses where bright visible light can overlap the IR and UV, this is not an issue when conducting nighttime paranormal investigations in mostly dark. Since ghost hunting and paranormal investigating is typically done in the dark, you need all the light you can get.

Suggested Camcorders for Ghost Hunting:

Full Spectrum HD Camcorder - Modified Full Spectrum HD (High Definition) Camcorder with 12MP Camera. This video camera offers 1080p HD quality needed to capture clear evidence. This camcorder has been professionally modified with UV and IR sensitivity to view the full spectrum of light including light not seen with the human eye.

Infrared Camcorder - This camcorder will normally have been professionally modified with IR sensitivity, allowing it to view further in the spectrum of light not seen with the human eye.




Accessories
All cameras (just like our eyes) require a good light source. Many can be attached directly to your camera using a shoe mount or tripod mount. The type of light source depends on the kind of camera you are using. An Infrared (IR) sensitive camcorder should be accompanied by an IR light source which is essentially a light that gives off only Infrared light. A Full Spectrum camera should be accompanied by a special Full Spectrum light source. Some people will use a bright white light source with a Full Spectrum camera. The downside to that is lighting up the whole room while you're investigating. This can be distracting to everyone in the investigation group.

Suggested Lighting:

Full Spectrum Light - Specially made for Full Spectrum video capture this Full Spectrum light has Infrared, Red, Blue, Green, and Ultraviolet LEDs for true full spectrum illumination. No white or clear light are emitted from them helping maintain a low light room while investigating.

Infrared Camcorder Light - This light has 36 LEDs for a good IR light source. It will attach to just about any camcorder via a shoe or tripod mount.



Laser Grid

Have you ever caught movement on camera and you can't quite make out its shape or whether it even has a mass to it? Using a laser grid helps determine both!

Laser grids help to more clearly detect when movement happens and help define its shape and whether it actually has some kind of mass to it. It's best to place a laser grid in front of a running camera throughout the investigation. When reviewing if movement happens, it will be obviously apparent by the breaking of the laser pattern. You can from there go frame by frame in the video marking where the pattern shifts thereby drawing an outline shape of the entity itself. If the pattern moves a certain way you can even determine if the entity has 3-dimensional mass and map that as well.

Suggested Laser:

Laser Grid Scope - his high powered laser emits a grid of green dots useful for detecting shadows or general visual disturbances during an investigation. Set it in front of a running camera to catch potential evidence. It’s 6X STRONGER than the imitators.



Motion Detectors & Geiger Counters

Have you ever received reports of footsteps or shadow people? It's relatively common. Motion sensors and geiger counters are a good way to detect movement.

A motion sensor detects movement within a given range in front of it and alerts you to an occurrence through an audio or visual alert.

Geiger counters (or vibration meters) detect movement or vibration on the unit itself. They will essentially 'listen' to vibrations in the ground or whatever surface it's placed on. You should place a motion sensor or geiger counter on the ground near reported footsteps to be alerted when it occurs.

Suggested Motion Detectors:

Geophone Motion Sensor - This ultra-sensitive Geophone circuit 'listens' to vibrations in the ground. The LEDs with light up the moment any vibration or movement is detected. The closer it gets, the higher the LED reading.

Mel Meter Vibe - Simultaneous EMF, Vibration, Touch and Temperature readouts with a Red Illuminated Display and a Red Flashlight



Thermometers

One theory in paranormal investigations is that entities can manipulate temperature when attempting to manifest or interact with us. You may find cold or warm spots in a room where no cause in apparent. This may be indicative of something trying to make contact.

To detect these anomalies, you need a thermometer and a little common sense. If you find a cold spot, for instance, look for any possible source of the cooler temperature. Look for open vents, windows and fans as possible sources. Move the thermometer in every direction to locate where the area starts and ends. If the anomaly is relatively concentrated in one area with no attachment to possible sources, you may have something attempting to manifest. This is the time to break out your cameras and audio recorders to attempt furthering your evidence with communication and/or visuals.

The most common mistake people make with thermometers however is using the wrong kind. Here are the two main types of thermometers:


Probe Thermometers - A probe thermometer includes a small metal rod or 'bullet' used to detect ambient temperature (air surrounding the device). This means you are detecting the area around you, looking for 'pockets' or abnormal temperatures.

Example Probe Thermometer:

Mel Meter - Backlight probe thermometer with large display detects ambient temperature and EMF.

Infrared / Non-Contact Thermometers - Many people mistakenly use an infrared/non-contact thermometer to detect ambient temperature. These devices shoot an infrared signature across the room until it hits a surface. Most include a red laser light so that you can see where the device is pointing. For this purpose, let’s say you're pointing it at a wall directly across the room from you. The signature takes the temperature of the surface area and reports back to the device. What you are doing is taking the temperature of the wall across the room - NOT the temperature around you. This serves little or no purpose in detecting cold spots. However, this is effective for detecting potential sources or abnormal temperature. For instance, if you notice a temperature change in the room you are in, you'll want to find a source of that. Point the infrared thermometer at every vent and window to see if colder air is coming through.

Don't get confused! Some infrared/non-contact thermometers do not have a laser on them. So, although you may think it's a probe thermometer it may not be. Be sure to read the descriptions on the device before purchasing.

Best of Both Worlds - The best option for use in paranormal investigations is to get an infrared thermometer that ALSO includes a probe (usually called a K probe). This way you can use both techniques discussed to simultaneously detect cold/warm spots around you and their possible sources.


Suggested Infrared/Probe Thermometers:

Trigger Thermometer with IR and Ambient Readout - Great compact infrared/probe thermometer includes a probe, backlight digital display and laser target for accurate positioning.



Safety & Communication Equipment
■First Aid Kit - It's a good idea to have a first aid kit on-hand in the event anyone is hurt
■Cell Phone - For communication outside the investigation in the event you need directions to a location or need to call 911
■2-Way Radios - Great for quick communication amongst the team when separated on an investigation. In a pinch your cell phones can be used to keep in touch with team members. Most cell phone users have converted to unlimited plans, but don't assume everyone has enough available minutes. Check with your team members first and get their communication preference.