| Suggestions and Advice For Beginners | | | | or during an investigation as their effects could cause |
| So you have decided to become a paranormal | | | | hallucinations or feelings that may not have taken |
| investigator, you have a camera and a recorder and | | | | place. No smoking on the site either, there should be a |
| know a location that's possibly haunted that's it right? | | | | designated area away from the investigation to smoke |
| Wrong, there is a lot involved in becoming a | | | | cigarettes. |
| paranormal investigator that requires patience, | | | | 5. No weapons of any kind, There is no effective way |
| paperwork, research and common sense. In this | | | | of harming a ghost. Sounds like common sense but |
| section I will discuss some etiquette and protocols that | | | | has to be stated. No guns, knives, swords, slingshots, |
| enable you to better present yourself and better | | | | etc... they will only harm you or one of your |
| represent the rest of us out there trying to bring | | | | companions. |
| respect and professionalism to this field. Having a | | | | 6. Watch you environments carefully; make sure you |
| fleeting interest and a camera does not make you a | | | | keep in mind light sources, temperatures and |
| "Professional" paranormal investigator, there is a lot of | | | | surrounding noises. These things can contaminate |
| filler that needs to also be present in order to educate | | | | evidence and make it unusable. |
| yourself and not fall into common traps. First off you | | | | 7. Try to keep a first aid kit with your team at all times |
| must decide if you either (A) want to start your own | | | | as well as all members of the team should carry their |
| group (not recommended if you have no experience | | | | own flashlights for obvious reasons. A cell phone is an |
| at all) or (B) want to join a group that exists | | | | excellent addition to the kit though it should be kept off |
| (recommended for the inexperienced beginner). Most | | | | or on vibrate (preferably off) during the investigation. |
| existing groups are more than willing to take on a | | | | 8. For beginners in this field all the equipment you will |
| dedicated beginner and train them with valuable skills | | | | need to get started is: A Digital camera and/ or 35mm |
| that will help you grow into a paranormal investigator. | | | | and a digital voice recorder (preferably with a 7 hour |
| The other option, though not recommended for the | | | | maximum record time). EMF meters, thermometers, |
| complete beginner, requires a lot of hard work. There | | | | thermal cameras, Video Cameras, etc... come much |
| is a lot to consider such as, non-profit organizational | | | | later and generally cost a lot. |
| status, equipment (this isn't a cheap field), acquiring | | | | 9. Research is key to a professional investigation, |
| permission to investigate a location, adding other | | | | study the field a lot learn the terminology, the theories, |
| investigators and determining their trustworthiness, etc. | | | | the procedures and the practice behind an |
| A name is the least of your worries but should be | | | | investigation. Knowledge is power so the more you |
| simple and down to the point. With all fields and jobs | | | | know the more professional you sound and the more |
| there is just some stuff that comes with experience | | | | professional you sound the more investigations you will |
| (Ie. Analysis skills), something you may also want to | | | | get to do. |
| consider before starting your own group. | | | | 10. Record everything you do in a log, this can be done |
| Remember that everything you do in this field reflects | | | | simply by carrying and jotting notes in a small note pad. |
| not only on you but on every other paranormal | | | | this helps later during the analysis when knowing what |
| investigation group in the country. Too much pressure? | | | | happened at a certain time could mean the difference |
| If you answer yes then consider joining a group before | | | | between actual evidence or evidence that is unusable. |
| venturing out into the field on your own. If your answer | | | | 11. When taking EVP recordings speak in a normal or |
| is no then good luck to you and make us all proud. So | | | | slightly lower voice do not yell or whisper as both could |
| now what do you do, just take pictures and recordings | | | | render the recording useless. |
| right? Wrong, before you go running about and | | | | 12. The most recommended idea is to tag along with |
| snapping pictures and taking audio recordings in | | | | an existing group a few times to get an idea as to |
| random places consider the local laws of your state or | | | | how an investigation is preformed. Remember while |
| any other state you consider doing this in. Most states | | | | along with another group the investigation is theirs and |
| have Trespassing laws and privacy laws right, | | | | as their guest you are subject to their rules and |
| Remember to obey these laws and get permission | | | | regulations. |
| before you do anything below you will find a list of | | | | This is of course a small list compiled of the "bare |
| some suggested procedures you might want to | | | | essentials" to forming your own group. This list is in no |
| consider before jumping head first into the water | | | | way a complete list as their is so much more that |
| without knowing how deep it is. | | | | comes with experience and time but rather it gives a |
| Suggested Etiquette and Protocol For Investigation | | | | point in the right direction to a fun and interesting |
| Groups | | | | experience. It should be noted in this section that this |
| 1. ALWAYS get permission to investigate a location, | | | | field is a "not for profit" field. Most of the groups out |
| trespassing is illegal and as such will bring great | | | | there do not charge any money for their services. It is |
| discredit to you and your group as well as other | | | | NOT a field in which you are going to make money, |
| Paranormal Groups. Make sure you have a signed | | | | rather you are going to find that you are in fact |
| permission form from the client for your records. | | | | spending a lot of money doing this. Consider this first |
| 2. If you know another group is in your area and you | | | | before making a quick and uneducated decision to hop |
| want an investigation, Please try to call the other group | | | | into this field for money. However this can be a great |
| first so as to make sure they are not trying to book | | | | experience for those who are dedicated enough to do |
| the same location at the same time. This will alleviate | | | | it free. If you still want to do this consider everyone in |
| the feeling of competition between the groups and will | | | | your group including yourself to have a good steady |
| also ensure the location wont be closed to any or all | | | | day job so you could all pitch in to buy the future more |
| future investigation groups. | | | | expensive equipment or even cool jackets and shirts |
| 3. Remember safety first, always make arrangements | | | | with your groups name on it. Whatever your decision is |
| to see a location prior to the investigation date. This | | | | please remember that you not only represent |
| allows you to not only note possible safety hazards | | | | yourselves but you represent all of the paranormal |
| but also meet the client and build a plan for your | | | | investigators in the country too so do it right, play it |
| equipment set up. | | | | smart and make us all proud. |
| 4. No drugs and or alcohol should be consumed before | | | | |