Forums: Investigating the Paranormal

Some paranormal websites and TV programmes mention evidence of the activity quite a bit, but how good is this evidence?  In many cases , their evidence of spitit  is essentially a picture of an orb, a photograph of some smoke a report of temperature drop. 

The following account was kindly e-mailed to Mysterousbritain some time ago. Does anyone have any ideas on the matter or know of similar sightings?

I realise that the case itself and the onsite experiments you wish to do should dictate the equipment you take on an investigation.  However, I have come across groups who bring along all the gadgets they have and think the more high tech a piece of equipment is, the more scientific it makes them appear.

There are many theories out there concerning exactly what ghosts are. No theory currently explains all aspects witnessed concerning apparitions and hauntings in general. Amongst the popular theories are that ghosts are trapped spirits, a recorded image as in the stone tape theory or perhaps hallucinations of some sort induced by an environmental factor such as Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs).

Things that go bump in the brain: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Paranormal and Anomalous Experiences
(in collaboration with UK-Skeptics – an educational charity)

I caught a few episodes of Ghost Hunters, featuring the the group that seems very popular in America these days…..TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society).  It is a good name as the two key figures are also plumbers.  Each vigil is of course done in the dark and starts off with a "thermal sweep" with somekind of thermal camera that picks up heat signatures.  Sometimes thes

Have you any embarassing stories or funny stories that don’t make your reports?  Accidents you have covered up?  We don’t names or details.

Having noticed this question on a Facebook group, I have decided to pose it here.  What makes an long term investigator tick and keep investigating year after year inputting precious time and funding.

There are many reports of the ghosts of animals, the majority of which are domesticated ones. Why though, if animals can have ghosts have we not had any reports of dinosaur ghosts?

Something someone wrote on another post got me thinking. The post said as an investigator you should try to make subjects/victims feel at ease. While I don’t think an investigator should make them feel uncomfortable, nor should they be ridiculed, I think that putting them at ease suggests that you would have to give them reassurances which couldn’t really be fulfilled.