The Difference between a Ghost Hunt and a Ghost Investigation

I've been asked before what's the difference between a "Ghost Hunt" and a "Ghost Investigation". I thought I knew the answer but it prompted me to do a little research myself to find the answer. Here's a down and dirty quick explanation:


Ghost Hunt - Going to a place where there have been no sightings of ghosts and trying to capture something on video, in photos, or as recorded sounds. Graveyards are the number one place to start. Old churches, schools and other old buildings are also good potential locations.

Ghost Investigation - Going to a "known" haunted place and recording data (video, photos, audio, temperatures), notes, interviews and other evidence to prove or disprove the haunting.

Your assistance can be helping the owner with the situation or putting them in contact with experienced groups or individuals that will try to resolve the situation.

If you have the knowledge and experience you might even assist the owner in helping the spirits to move on and leave the place if the owner requests it.


Or, your assistance can be something as simple as educating the owner on what is going on and their options.


I've also been asked what are the different types of spirits I've encountered. Thankfully I've never encountered a non-human spirit, though I think I may have discovered a location where such an entity resides and I'm not sure I want to pursue it. I have to do some serious thinking first and weigh the risks versus the knowledge and experience I'll gain. Anyway, I digress. Here's another down and dirty quick explanation:

Types of Encounters:

There are generally 2 types of spirits you may encounter. One was a human at one time and it has remained on this level for some reason. It may not know it's dead and may be held here by unfinished business, guilt, etc. These spirits have the same characteristics as the person they were when they were alive. They can be good or bad, just like the living, but are not normally dangerous. This human spirit is the type you will encounter 95% of the time. You could also witness a residual haunting which is a playback of a past event. This is just like watching a video from the past playing over and over.

The other type of spirit you may encounter was never human and is generally bad news. You must be aware of this type of spirit but not obsessed with them, as the chance you will ever encounter them in a regular ghost hunt or investigation is slim.