WIBV.com

Paranormal Reality shows are everywhere today, and their popularity is more than just delving into the unknown for the sake of drama. These shows present what was once mundane location in a new light, and show that anyone has the opportunity to experience something unknown. They can experience that adventure for themselves if they're willing to look for it.

Unfortunately, many people are far too curious to be aware of the issues involved in actually investigating the paranormal at a location.

A group of fourteen amateur ghost hunters were arrested for trespassing on Sunday, Feb 24th at the former hospital for the WNY Office of Disability Development in Perrysburg NY. State Police received a call tip that led them to Perrysburg water reservoir and ultimately to the parked vehicles of the amateur investigators.

The group dubbed the "C.O.T Ghost Busters" learned that just because a property is derelict and forgotten it doesn't mean it isn't a spot of interest for the authorities.

Fourteen people accused of trespassing

Now, many paranormal investigators and amateur ghost hunters will just say that the teens were in the wrong and got what was coming to them for trespassing on the property.

The issue isn't that the amateur team was in the wrong, it's that they felt it was necessary to investigate in such a manner. Did they ask any of the reputable teams in the area for help locating a site to investigate? What about the local teams? Did they offer to help them or teach them safe methods?

What sort of atmosphere is there in the paranormal community today that amateur investigators will risk their safety, their health and even a criminal record to have an adventure in the unknown?

Now, when the police arrive on-site it's not always because the investigators are doing anything wrong, heck even the Shadow Chasers have had our encounters with the State Police. The first time was because the neighborhood watch was unaware of our investigation, when the police showed up they checked on our permission and subsequently added their own stories to our interviews. The second time was when a really questionable neighbor threatened the team and then sent the police, again we had signed waivers. One of the most noteworthy times the police showed up was during a guided tour with more than 90 people! Each time, the authorities had been notified but somehow the word was never passed along. It happens.

The primary issue for this case is what seems to be the major trend in investigating today. Everyone can be their own paranormal investigator. 

Now what is causing this mindset?

Part, seems to be the fact that most people just starting out want to have an adventure with their friends. You don't really want to go out and find some stranger to tell you what to do. You already know the basics from TV, why should you go out of your way when it's something fun for you and your friends?

The second part seems to stem from the exclusivism that many teams are showing these days. Someone wants to join and the instant response is "Nope, we're full right now but you can join our community (be a fan)..." Is it just me or does that sound entirely too condescending? This exclusivism mentality seems to be part of the 'better than thou...' mentality that many teams are showcasing lately. 

We're all part of a fringe (liminal) society in the first place, why is it a competition? Sure you can gain credibility (WITHIN THE COMMUNITY) but to everyone not part of the paranormal community we are all crazy and wasting our time. 

When someone wants to join, you can have certain expectations but there's no reason to be so condescending and exclusivist. While we've always held certain expectations for members we've never turned anyone away. We've had lectures where we worked with teens and even kids under 12 on understanding and learning the research. One of our best investigators recently is only 16, meanwhile we encountered an amateur 'pro' in his 40s that freaked  out and ran away from the same location. It's not about age.

I can't help but feel that this incident with the amateur Tonawanda teen C.O.T Ghost Busters could've been avoided if there was just one experienced investigator that they had consulted. Is the paranormal community breeding an atmosphere of exclusivism? Are we becoming unapproachable?

One of the Tonawanda investigators tweeted from the site, sharing an alleged image of an apparition.

Twitter

One of the Tonawanda investigators tweeted from the site, sharing an alleged image of an apparition.

After the State Police were on scene at the abandoned Perrysburg hospital and cited the group for trespassing, the teen ghost hunters had a dispute on Twitter about who was to blame for their unfortunate evening. 

Twitter[/caption]

In the end, it doesn't matter who within the group was responsible. The 14 Amateur Ghost Hunters were cited for trespassing and all have appearance tickets scheduled for March 7th.

Paranormal Investigating, ghost hunting, is rapidly becoming a common past-time for people especially teens and those looking for a little adventure without having to go that far. Creepy, abandoned locations are everywhere from the Perrysburg Hospital to our own local CNY Psych Center in Marcy. Many want to investigate, but all sites are subject to trespassing laws.

[Source...WIBV.com] 

1890 House/Facebook

Syfy Channel Ghost Hunters, TAPS, recently investigated The 1890 House in Cortland, NY unveiling yet another historic site that has long been rumored to be haunted.

It is widely believed that many historic sites, historical societies and museums have paranormal phenomena associated with either the historic building or the objects collected there-in. However, the vast majority of these sites have been wary of admitting that they have any form of activity.

Now, 9 years after Ghost Hunters debuted on Syfy, Para~History and Para~Tourism are the norm. A recent study found that 45% of people say that ghosts exist, 43% say ghosts can't do what you see in the movies (Finally) and a whoping 64% believe in life after death. 

This is why prestigious sites once concerned with harming their reputation by admitting to paranormal occurances are now openly admitting to having paranormal activity. They're hoping to increase foot-traffic to their site and gain some new media coverage.

So, the impressive 1890 House Museum in Cortland, NY opened up about the long rumored paranormal activity at the site and invited the Ghost Hunters to investigate the site.

History

The 1890 House Museum was once the residence of the 19th century industrialist Chester Franklin Wickwire. Constructed to mimic an impressice mansion that he saw on a trip to New York City, they began construction in 1888 and in 1890 the house was finished. It served as his home until his death in 1915 where it then sat vacant for the next 7 years. It continued to change hands and in 1975, Cortland County bought the house and opened it as The 1890 House Museum and Center for Victorian Arts.

The 1890 HouseActivity

The staff report that many visitors have reported seeing floating orbs and captured ghostly images in photos and even captured ghostly voices in one audio recording. The staff of the 1890 House also claim to have encounters with the ghostly former residents of the house. 

TAPS

Overall

The 1890 House Museum is yet another local site here in CNY that has opened itself up to Para~Tourism. While the Syfy Ghost Hunters spent less than half an episode on the investigation of the site, the museum will no doubt become inundated with ghost hunting teams, enthusiasts and the just generally curious heading to the site. The Para~History of the site is now known to the general public but will it be a benefit to the Museum?

Previously The 1890 House turned away many teams offering to investigate and do fundraisers in exchange for an investigation. Many sites investigated by Ghost Hunters, TAPS, close themselves to other teams after their debut with Syfy fame. But this closes them to fundraisers, potential evidence, activities and more.

Now that Ghost Hunters, TAPS, have investigated will the 1890 House Museum now close itself permananetly to other investigators? Will we see tours this fall? A switch to full para~tourism?

What are your thoughts on sites that do this?

[Source YNN] 

When it comes to paranormal investigations, every team has their own unique methods, technology and credentials that they bring with them. Many teams seek to document paranormal claims of the paranormal or experience it first-hand. 

It is that desire for experience or even credentials, résumé-building that drives many to strive for the experiences that they see on shows like Ghost Adventures or Ghost Hunters. Many teams do not have consistent access to a location that is known to be haunted. So, while TAPS are investigating Eastern State Penitentary and Zack and the Ghost Adventures Crew are exploring the Sloss Furnaces most teams desire to have those experiences. They want to investigate a location that is so haunted that they are bound to get activity.

No matter the reason, Paranormal Tourism, Para-Tourism, is becoming the norm for these haunted iconic sites. Many sites offer up ghost tours and ghost walks but the sites here are all ones that allow you and your team to do an actual investigation, ghost hunt. You can pay to investigate these iconic and renowned haunted locations.

Of all things, a large majority of locations that Ghost Adventures have featured are actually available for Para-Tourism and the more recent seasons of Ghost Hunters are now showcasing a number of these sites as well.

The most Iconic and renowned sites that allow you to pay to investigate, pay to for a private ghost hunt are...

Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers.

Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, this was the world’s first true “penitentiary,” a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of convicts.

Its vaulted, sky-lit cells once held many of America’s most notorious criminals, including bank robber “Slick Willie” Sutton and Al Capone. Investigated by Ghost Hunters in Season 1 and 2, Investigated by Ghost Adventures in Season 2.

Investigate - Tours are available from $15-30 but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it starts at $500. [More Info...]

"...The minimum cost to conduct a paranormal investigation at Eastern State Penitentiary is $500. Groups are charged $25 an hour for each person in the group. Each group must have at least five people at the Penitentiary for a minimum of four hours."

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum located in Weston, WV. Formerly known as the Weston State Hospital, this West Virginia facility served as a sanctuary for the mentally ill in the mid-1800’s. The history of the building holds fascinating stories of Civil War raids, a gold robbery, the "curative" effects of architecture, and the efforts of determined individuals to help better the lives of the mentally ill. Tour this nationally recognized landmark and see how it left a lasting impression on local and national history.

Investigated by Ghost Hunters in Season 4, Investigated by Ghost Adventures in Season 3.

Investigate - Tours are available from $40 but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it starts at $1,500. [More Info...]

"...Spend the night roaming the building undisturbed by other investigators. Bring all the equipment that you have and investigate your favorite hot spots. Your Asylum check in time is 9:00 p.m. and you will be released at 5:00 a.m. the following morning. Are you brave enough? Cost is $150.00/person, minimum 10 people..." Insurance Also Required**

Moundsville Penitentiary - West Virginia Penitentiary

The prison at Joliet provided the prototype for the West Virginia Penitentiary. It was an imposing stone structure fashioned in the castellated Gothic architectural style (adorned with turrets and battlements, like a castle). Only the dimensions of West Virginia's facility would differ; it would be approximately one-half the size of Joliet. No architectural drawings of the West Virginia Penitentiary have been discovered, so an understanding of the plan developed by the Board of Directors must be obtained through their 1867 report.

Investigated by Ghost Hunters in Season 3, Investigated by Ghost Adventures in Season 1.

Investigate - Tours are available from $25 but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it starts at $800. [More Info...]

"...Wednesday nights beginning at 11:59pm! Include up to twenty (20) of your fellow ghost hunters and seek out the spirits that live here. Reservations must be made online with a $150.00 non-refundable deposit. One (1) person must be responsible for the booking and supplying a valid mailing and email address. An invoice for the remaining balance will be sent within five (5) business days. Payment is due sixty (60) days from billing or two (2) weeks before the event date, whichever occurs first. MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER 6 hours (11:59pm – 6:00am)  $800 Up to 20 people PRIVATE*..."

Ohio State Reformatory - Mansfield Reformatory

The cornerstone laid on November 4, 1886 evolved into this magnificent Chateauesque structure. Cleveland architect Levi T. Scofield designed the Ohio State Reformatory using a combination of three architectural styles; Victorian Gothic, Richardsonian Romanesque and Queen Anne. This was done to encourage inmates back to a "rebirth" of their spiritual lives.

The Reformatory doors were opened to its first 150 young offenders in September 1896. After housing over 155,000 men in its lifetime, the doors to the prison closed December 31, 1990.

Investigated by Ghost Hunters in Season 2, Investigated by Ghost Adventures in Season 3.

Investigate - Tours are available from $70 for an overnight investigation but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it starts at $1200. [More Info...]

Waverly Hills Sanitorium

Originally, Waverly Hills Sanatorium was a two-story frame building, with a hipped roof and half timbering. Construction on this building began in 1908, and opened for business on July 26, 1910. The building was designed to safely accommodate 40-50 tuberculosis patients. At the time, tuberculosis was a very serious disease. People who were afflicted with tuberculosis were isolated from the general public and placed in an area where they could rest, stay calm, and have plenty of fresh air. Sanatoriums were built on high hills surrounded by peaceful woods to create a serene atmosphere to help the patients recover.

The massive, collegiate, gothic style Sanatorium that you see in the 1926 photo (left), remains standing on Waverly Hill, today. It could accommodate at least 400 patients and was considered one of the most modern and well equipped facilities at the time. Construction of this Sanatorium began in March 1924 and opened for business on October 17, 1926. The facility served as a tuberculosis hospital until 1961, when the discovery of an antibiotic that successfully treated and cured TB rendered the facility obsolete.

Investigated by Ghost Hunters in Season 2, Investigated by Ghost Adventures in Season 4.

Investigate - Tours are available from $50 for an overnight investigation but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it starts at $1000. (10 People) [More Info...]

Investigate - Tours are available from $70 for an overnight investigation but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it starts at $1200. [More Info...]

Hillview Manor

1925 as the Lawrence County Poor farm built by Architect A. L. Thayer to be a working farm unlike any of its kind, housing the county’s homeless and indigents. The building was equipped with a kitchen, hospital, laundry, separate living quarters for men and women, a cemetery, bomb shelter and an extra wing for employees and officers. It officially opened the doors to those in need in 1926. 

A few decades later in the 1970s, a skilled care wing was added along with a new name, Hill View Manor, turning it in to a nursing facility. Unfortunately, the home faced financial strain and was forced to close in February 2004. While the building appears to be empty, minus a few things including medical equipment left behind, some people believe former residents still call Hill View Manor home.

Investigated by Ghost Hunters in Season 7, Investigated by Ghost Adventures in Season 4.

Investigate - Tours are available from $65 for an overnight investigation but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it starts at $650. (10 People) [More Info...]

USS Salem

Ordered by the US Navy on 14 June, 1943, USS Salem (CA 139) was laid down on 4 July, 1945 at the Bethlehem Steel Company's Quincy Yard in Quincy, MA and launched on 25 March, 1947. She was commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard on 14 May, 1949.

USS Salem served a distinguished 10 year career as flagship of the US Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean and the Second Fleet in the Atlantic. During her career she served as host to such notables as the US Ambassador to Spain, John D. Lodge; the Honorable Thomas S. Gates, Undersecretary of the Navy; Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; the Shah of Iran; the President of Lebanon and the King and Queen of Greece.

Although Salem never fired her mighty guns in anger, her very presence served as a stimulus for peace during those troubled times that came to be called the Cold War. She served as a Lady of Diplomacy, rather than as a means of exerting brute force.

Imagine a small city placed in "mothballs", stored for 35 years, and then reopened and restored to it's former glory.

Investigated by Ghost Hunters in Season 5.

Investigate - Tours are available from $15 for an overnight investigation but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it starts at $250. (10 People) [More Info...]

Sloss Furnaces

Sloss Furnaces holds a very special place in the hearts and minds of the people of Birmingham. The original blast furnaces constructed by James Withers Sloss in the early 1880's served to propel the fledgling city of Birmingham into the pre-eminent industrial center of the South. For this reason Sloss Furnaces is a rich source of local pride and an invaluable part of our collective identity. But the Sloss Furnaces story doesn't end there. We are now looking to the future with plans to preserve Sloss Furnaces and expand on it's base as a cultural icon. You'll find these plans are big and bold, much like the towering smokestacks and enormous furnaces that made Sloss the stuff of legend.

Investigated by Ghost Hunters in Season 6, Investigated by Ghost Adventures in Season 1.

Investigate - Tours are available from $2 for a self-guided tour but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it starts at $200. + Security Deposit (5 People) [More Info...]

Old Idaho Penitentiary

Nestled at the base of the foothills off Warm Springs Avenue in Boise, the Old Idaho Penitentiary is available to rent as a unique venue for your next gathering.  Built in 1870, the “Old Pen” was home to some of the most desperate criminals in the West.  The site began as the territorial prison and grew to a complex of several distinctive buildings that was placed on the National Register of Historic Placesin 1973.  Your guests can imagine life in the sandstone cell houses, see the contrasting beauty of the historic rose gardens, and view Solitary Confinement, Death Row and the Gallows. 

Investigated by Ghost Adventures in Season 1. 

Investigate - Tours are available but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it starts at $300 per hour and the site is divided up into three separate sections that must be rented separately. [More Info...]

Preston Castle

In 1890, the 230 acre parcel of land where the Preston Castle stands was purchased from the Ione Coal & Iron Company for $30 per acre with 100 acres donated. The land was purchased to house the Preston School of Industry, established by the State Legislature as a progressive action toward rehabilitating, rather than simply imprisoning, juvenile offenders.

The Preston School of Industry remained open until 1960 when new facilities for the school were completed. The building remained vacant and fading into disrepair until September 10, 2001 when The Preston Castle Foundation received a fifty-year lease for the property. The Preston Castle has also been named a California State Historical Landmark (#867) and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NPS-75000422).

Investigated by Ghost Hunters in Season 6, Investigated by Ghost Adventures in Season 2.

Investigate - Tours are available from $100 a person but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it starts at $1000 a day. [More Info...]

 PennHurst Haunted Asylum

Pennhurst State School opened in 1908 and flourished for almost 60 years until allegations of mistreatment of residents surfaced. Over the next decade, these allegations were proven to be true and by 1986 the entire complex was abandoned, and left to rot. As nature began to reclaim the property, an effort was launched to see if there was any feasible use for these buildings. Nothing was found until now..

Investigated by Ghost Hunters in Season 7, Investigated by Ghost Adventures in Season 3.

Investigate - Tours are available from $15 a person [More Info...]

Rolling Hills Asylum

Originally, a carriage house and tavern servicing stage coaches stood there from 1790 until December 1826, when it was sold to Genesse county. The carriage house still stands on the property today. The tavern serviced travelers from Batavia, NY to Warsaw, NY traveling along what is now known as US Route 20. At that point, the facility took in paupers, unwed mothers, the insane, and orphans.

Investigated by Ghost Hunters in Season 2, Investigated by Ghost Adventures in Season 4.

Investigate - Tours are available from $35 a person but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it starts at $875 + Tax. [More Info...]

***Warning Read About Our Experience With the Site [HERE...] Before Considering This Site***

Villisca Axe Murder House

The Villisca Axe Murders occurred during the night of June 9–10, 1912 in the southwestern Iowa town of Villisca. The six members of the Moore family and two house guests were found bludgeoned in the Moore residence. All eight victims, including six children, had severe head wounds from an axe. A lengthy investigation yielded several suspects, one of which was tried twice and acquitted. The crime remains unsolved.

Investigated by Ghost Adventures in Season 4.

Investigate - Tours are available from $10 a person but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it starts at $400 (6 People). [More Info...]

Tooele Hospital (Asylum 49)

In 1873. Samuel F. Lee constructed a home for he and his family to live in Tooele, Utah. After living there for forty years, the Lee family moved out in 1913. The structure, then, was turned in to a home for the elderly. Many locals dubbed it the “County Poor House”. It was later seen for its hospital potential. 

With a few minor adjustments, the new hospital opened in 1953 for the Tooele Army Depot. It provided better accommodations for visitors including individual restrooms and a morgue as the old one had only but a designated room to hold the bodies until a local mortuary could pick them up. After the new state-of-the-art hospital was built in the county and the Old Tooele Hospital reverted back to an elderly home (This portion of the history is rather conflicting. I've found two different versions that are too similar to tell at this point which one is correct. I welcome any clarification from anyone who knows or has visited this location). While Ghost Adventures may have reintroduced Old Tooele Hospital to the public, it did initially achieve fame as the film site for two movies: The Fastest Indian and Stephen King’s The Stand. Then, officially closing in 2001 and remained empty until 2006. Today, it is the site of the Asylum 49 haunted attraction every year and numerous ghost hunts. 

Investigated by Ghost Adventures in Season 4.

Investigate - Tours are available from $20 a person but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it starts at $1600 (8 People). [More Info...]

Rochester Main Street Armory

The Main Street Armory, built in 1905 as headquarters for western New York’s 3rd Battalion, is also historically significant for its association with American military history. The volunteer militia (ie: the National Guard) has been and to an extent still is the backbone of the American military system since the colonial era. The Main Street Armory, like virtually all other National Guard armories, remains a prominent visual reminder and monument of the pivotal role played by the volunteer militia in American military history.

Investigated by Ghost Adventures in Season 7.

Investigate - Tours are available from $35 a person but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it starts at $500 (6 People). [More Info...]

Old Jail Museum

Resembling a fortress standing guard over the town of Jim Thorpe (formerly known as 
Mauch Chunk), the historic Old Jail Museum is a  beautiful two-story stone structure.  
Completed in 1871 it was used as the Carbon County Prison from 1871 until January 
1995 when it was purchased by Tom McBride and his wife, Betty Lou, of Jim Thorpe.

The building is best known as the site of the hanging of seven Irish coal miners known as Molly Maguires in the 1800s.  On June 21, 1877, today known as the Day of the Rope, Alexander Campbell, Edward Kelly, Michael Doyle and John Donohue were hanged at the same time on gallows erected inside the Old Jail Museum cell block.  On  March 28, 1878, Thomas P. Fisher was hanged here, and on January 14, 1879,  James McDonnell and Charles Sharp were hanged on the same gallows.

Investigated by Ghost Detectives Season 1.

Investigate - Tours are available from $10 a person but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it requires personal inquiry. [More Info...]

Shanley Hotel

Investigated by Ghost Hunters in Season 7

Investigate - Tours are available from $85 a person but for a formal investigation as a 'site rental' it starts at $1200 [More Info...]

Dunkirk Lighthouse

The light was first established on Point Gratiot in 1827. This light acted in tandem with a pier head beacon to guide ships to the safety of the Dunkirk Harbor. 

In 1875-1876, a 61-foot stone tower and a beautiful Victorian residence were constructed to replace the original tower, which was threatened by erosion. These structures still stand today.

Bricks from the original keeper's house formed the foundation for the new house. The old cylindrical tower was moved adjacent to the new keeper's residence. A square tower was built around the old tower "to be more compatible with the keeper's house." (Tinney, Burdett-Watkins, p. 13; Seaway Trail Video)   . Military Parade Reservation Grounds - The Dunkirk Light ship is located on these grounds.  

War of 1812 - The first shot of the 1812 War was fired near the west bank of the lighthouse.

The waters of Lake Erie off Dunkirk have been the site of several notable shipwrecks. 

• The lake's first steamboat, the Walk-on-Water, was lost to a storm in 1818. 
• 1841 the Erie burned with the loss of 141 lives. The fire was blamed on painters who stored turpentine and varnish on the deck above the ship's boilers. 
• In 1893, the steamboat Dean Richmond, which carried sacks of meal, flour, copper sheet, and gold and silver bullion, sank off Dunkirk. Dunkirk residents salvaged hundreds of bags of damp flour after the wreck. 
• 1897, the freighter Idaho was lost. Some of its cargo of Christmas items, including slabs of chocolate, were recovered by the locals. (Roberts, Jones pp.29-30) 

Investigate - Tours are available from $15 a person [More Info...]

The Naples Hotel

In 1895, Jeff R. Brown built the finest brick hotel in Ontario County. The Naples Hotel and Restaurant soon became an impressive landmark, the center for dinners, weddings and banquets. Many speeches by prominent politicians, including Robert Kennedy, were delivered from the spacious front porch. The foundation of the building is three feet thick and the walls are five bricks thick.

Today, the Naples Hotel and Restaurant strives to maintain a lively and entertaining combination of the present with days gone by. The federal period architecture of the building is virtually as it was built.

Investigated by Ghost Hunters in Season 8

Investigate - Tours are available from $30 a person [More Info...]

The Buffalo Naval Park

 

The construction of the Buffalo Naval and Servicemen's Park (later named the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park) started in 1977. The park was opened to the public on July 4, 1979. TheCleveland-class cruiser USS Little Rock, the Fletcher-class destroyerUSS The Sullivans were part of the original display. In 1988 the Gato-class submarine USS Croaker was added. In 1989 the Croaker underwent a refit.

Investigate - For a formal investigation as a 'site rental' contact Beyond Ghosts [More Info...]

Additional Sites: 

Pythain Castle - http://www.pythiancastle.com/ghosts.html

Hulbert House

Madison Seminary - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Madison-Seminary/180590777832

Old Stone fort - http://theoldstonefort.org/index.html *Ghost Hunters*

Cooper inn - http://www.cooperinn.com/ *GH*

One of the most controversial subjects in paranormal research is that of the spirit photography, ghost photos. These are a constant source of debate as so many factors can lead to false positives. The worst subject of course is that of 'Orbs.'

Spirit Orbs are essentially these little light balls that are caught in photos or in some instances, video of reportedly haunted locations. Some even have a temperature change associated with them.

Many, too many, investigators attempt to imply meaning on this phenomena. They look for patterns in the orbs examining the matrixing of those patterns or imply meaning on specific colors. Rather than being objective and analyzing what created the phenomena, they are focused on applying beliefs to an objective phenomena.

Now, in photography there are many possible explanations for these orb anomalies in photos including environmental effets like rain, mist, snow etc. Other photographic explanations include artifacting from particulates in the air, orb backscatter, errors in image processing from the camera itself and environmental kickbacks.

Therein lies the first issue with Orb phenomena, identification. Many investigators look for specific indicators in a photo to establish whether it is actually an orb or artifacting. Even professional scientists have issues when analyzing photos for this phenomena. So, rather than identifying the phenomena outright it is more plausible to eliminate the other possiblitiies until they are left with the potential of it being the phenomena.

The next issue is for validation of the phenomena. Many dispute the legitamacy of the 'Spirit Orb' phenomena even after verifying that it is not an artifact. This is also where knowledge and validation depends on research.

In the field an investigator is tracking a high EMF reading, or maybe static or RF and then another researcher takes a photo. 

The investigators capture an 'Orb' in the photo and attribute it to the paranormal. They cite that it is an indicator of a spirit or maybe even claim it IS the spirit. Skeptics immediately scoff at the finding while investigators claim validation through their meters, readings and methods.

While it is paranormal (something beyond normal) is it actually the ghost? What are the other possibilites?

Plasmoids and Ball Lightning

Ball Lightning is actually an unexplained atmospheric electrical phenomena that appears as luminous, spherical objects varying from pea-sized to several meters in diameter. Commonly associated with thunderstorms, but lasts considerably longer than the split-second flash of a lightning bolt. Interestingly enough early reports claimed that the ball eventually explodes, with fatal consequences, leaving behind the odor of sulfur. 

So what is Ball Lightning? 

Plasmoids are a coherent structure of plasma and magnetic fields that are hypothesized to explain natural phenomena such as ball lightning, magnetic bubbles in the magnetosphere, and objects in cometary tails. 

How are plasmoids created? Well, it's fairly simple actually. 

Plasmoids, while rare are created by conducting high energy through a heat source. In this demonstration high RF is passed through a flame resulting in a superchraged plasma bolt, or Orb.

In researching the paranormal, there are numerous reports of mysterious lights that seem to appear around haunted sites dating back hundreds of years. These spooklights had to have some foundation in reality, not just supersitition. As researchers examined the phenomena, a better understanding of physics came into play. 

Orb phenomena while still controversial is legitamate from a scientific stand-point. Orbs are ionized air, charged plasmoids created at or around the reportedly haunted site. The higher the energy discharge, the more opaque the captured 'ghost orbs' become. As the energy dissipates it decreases rapidly becoming more and more faint until it dissipates outright.

Are these paranormal? Yes, they are a 'beyond normal' or 'rare earth' phenomena. Are they ghosts? Unlikely. Many documented, captured orbs demonstrate an intelligence, a path of sorts and interact with changes in the environment. In reality, the orb phenomena actually follow ion currents in the environment and travel rapidly away from the point of discharge. We know how these are made, but we do not know the source of what made them. 

Investigators use 'Orb Photos' as indicators of the paranormal at a site, which is a valid hypothesis since Orb phenomena are actually a rare, paranormal, phenomena.

Should we discredit orb photos? Or does it seem more logical to attempt to identify the cause of this phenomena at a haunted site? 

Together with Terri Garofalo of Indy Paranormal/My Ghost Story Biography channel we told stories and disembarked the train in Remsen to explore three historic haunted sites

Remsen Stone Meeting House

  Capel Cerrig (Stone Church) was built in 1831, and is located in downtown Remsen. The church was built out of stone, and has remained unchanged since it was built, with the exception of a new slate roof in 1888. The Stone Meeting House, as it is now named, has often been thought to be haunted. Reports of strange lights, and feeling watched have been reported by many. Investigations of the building have revealed that those reports most likely are accurate. Photographs have been taken of the building that show a shadowy figure of a man in a top hat. Audio recordings made on the site indicate that there are at least two spirits present, a chatty female spirit and a sarcastic male spirit. [Read More...]

Train Depot

Remsen Depot, originally a union station for the Utica & Black River and the New York Central Railroad was constructed in the late 19th century serving for many years before it was torn down in 1964 and subsequently re-built in 1999. The Depot has had many late-night ghostly accounts at the stations and tracks. Reports of feeling watched in the station, the ghostly figures walking the grounds or a vanishing conductor that greets would-be passengers as they enter the station. [Read More...]

Remsen Art Center

The Remsen Art Center was originally a Baptist Church dedicated in 1893 and served for many years before being decommissioned and re-purposed multiple times over the subsequent years. Many report of organ music, phantom noises and fleeting shadow figures while in the building at night. [More Info...] 

Hosts

Terri Garofalo – artist, cartoonist, Co-founder of the paranormal team IndyPara, Terri investigates and cartoons the paranormal through her comic strip Entities-R-Us  that appears in Paranormal Underground Magazine, as well as many other publications and websites devoted to the paranormal. Terri has appeared on Big Guy Media’s Paranormal Valley episodes as well as Biography Channel’s My Ghost Story. Her first book, Entities-R-Us, Ghost Hunter Comic – Paranormal Humor for the Ghost Hunters Soul was released in the spring of 2010.

 Shadow Chasers

The Shadow Chasers have been investigating the paranormal for the last 10 years and have been featured multiple times in the media, most prominently in Cheri Farnsworth's Haunted Northern New York series, as well as in a series of documentaries produced by PBS Television. The team were the PBS TV Ghost Hunters for 3 years before partnering with Lite 98.7 WLZW. Founder PW Creighton is Author of the new supernatural thriller series Nightfall released in the spring of 2012.

Co-Founder Katya Von Heuser is the author of Chasing Shadows: New York Ghosts released Sept 2012.

The Event ~

The event began with the team meeting with Terri and Townsquare staff at Union Station in Utica. Which was a bit confusing for parking and complicated for transferring our needed supplies to the train.

We managed to get everything together and with some finagling we got everything on the train situated.

When we crossed back to the station we found we had acquired quite the crowd. Grand total was over 250 people for the train-tour!

Katya and Phil attempted to tell the local history of Union Station, the ghost stories associated with it and of the rail disasters that had occured in the Utica area over the last one hundred and fifty years. 

Unfortunately, we discovered that the station was so loud that we probably should have used a PA system between the train announcements, bus announcements and the general info constantly filling the air. It also didn't help that 250 people can't really crowd together close enough to hear under those conditions. After we concluded our review of the history a stray announcement started everyone for the train.

Aside from a few stray technical glitches the ghost train turned out to be an amazing success. Everyone learned the history of two of Remsen's strongest historic sites. Polly Wogg caught a number of Orbs at the Depot and more than thirty people witnessed shadow apparitions moving through the trees and a number of people actually captured spirit photos at the Stone Meeting House.

Terri is currently showcasing her experiences with the Ghost Train in her web comic series and was actually able to investigate the haunted hotel utica... check out her recap... 

We'll see you next year on the Ghost Train at a new stop with more exciting talent and adventures!

The Shadow Chasers are constantly persuing the most aplicable and accurate technologies available to investigate claims of the paranormal. Most of the time we leave development of new ghost hunting technology to other more ambitious individuals or just co-opt new technology on the market.

Sometimes, it just takes a bit of modification and other times we end up using that tech for is designed purpose, we just happen to use it on an investigation. Then, an a rare occasion our ambition takes hold and we try to develop technology ourselves.

After a conversation with our station engineer about inductive coils and how they could function to track stray energy fields (AC/DC EMF, ES, RF), we speculated that inductive coil technology could be used if designed properly.

If more than one unit was used, it would be possible to triangulate the fields even in outdoor locations.

Thus gave birth to the idea that through this technology we could not only hear energy fields in real-time but also track them and theoretically be able to hear EVPs in real-time as well.

We needed to develop a prototype, something cost effecient and also something that could meet a number of criteria that are necessary for a tool on an investigation.

We needed something that could not only use this tech to help us identify and track energy fields but we needed some means of documenting the results from this technology and some means of authenticating the results.

After a bit of trial-and-error with this technology we created the Sonic Probe with Enhanced Camera and Track Recording.

While we were cynical about it's effectiveness in the field, we constructed a prototype and tested it on a couple of investigations, ghost hunts. It exceeded all expectations and proved to be one of the most valuable tools in the field.

We were able to hear EVPs in real-time through the device, record them and track the fields that were creating them.

The induction coil technology allows an investigator to track down energy fields (AC/DC EMF, Static and even RF) with surprising speed. While meters are still required to verify the field strength and intensity, the probe can rapidly identify field sources.

Needing to document the results and doubling as a power source, the wand can be connected to a voice recorder or amplifier to record the sounds of the fields at a location. Providing further authentication, a Digital Camera/Camcorder flashlight has been mounted to the non-conductive wand to assist in documenting a survey of a site. Other modifications like adding a laser net or condenser mic are also possible.

Another strength is the ability to attach the probe to a signal analyzer to moniter the actual field strength and measure it.

We are looking at producing these for other teams. Let us know if you are interested.

When Ghost Hunters debuted on the Syfy channel in 2004 it revolutionized the paranormal community. Suddenly the 'reality' of the paranormal became abundantly clear.

The paranormal is everywhere, ghosts and entities exist and they can do things.

More importantly, anyone can be involved in the paranormal, anyone can be an investigator and help others with their paranormal problems.

Seemingly, ghost hunting groups sprang up everywhere overnight. Even the most remote communities and towns suddenly had their own ghost hunter teams.

The direct result of this increased interest and budding community was that Hollywood needed a different approach to connect with the community. They needed a larger audience and also a more familiar approach to increase that impact. 

Hollywood treated it like a formula. Make the paranormal activity more grounded in reality, subtle noises, movements and shadowy shapes. Then take the intimate nature of filming a ghost hunt, take a camcorder and place the audience there with the subjects. Finally, bring the activity to a very familiar setting. A setting that anyone could relate to. "What if it was your neighbor?"

Thus, the Paranormal Activity series was born in 2007(Full Release 2009). Gone were the over-the-top stories of killer ghosts and in was the story of a couple plagued by a ghost. 

In Paranormal Activity the couple Katie and Micah start to experience a bit of ghostly activity consisting of moving objects, slight noises and of course, spirit possession/obsession. Through the series of events causing increased activity, the story concludes with a full spirit posession.

Not wanting a cash-cow to fall idle, the second movie was released in 2010, this time following the events of Katie's sister and her family(set in 2006). Hollywood once again needed to 'raise the stakes' so the characters were plagued by increasingly violent and more 'Hollywood Horror' style of activity with full bodied apparitions, invisible spirits capable of dragging people around and fully posessing them. Tying the movies together, previous character Katie returns and abducts the youngest child after killing the family members present.

Falling once again into the Hollywood standard, the next Paranormal Activity (3) movie was a prequel rolling back to the 80's to explain the cause of the activity. The Hollywood influence causes more dramatic activity, an evil coven of witches that sacrifice their family for power and many more deaths.

Now, the upcoming release of Paranormal Activity 4 is set to 'revitalize' the series by swapping characters once again. Taking place five years after Paranormal Activity 2, it follows the life of teen Alice, her boyfriend Ben, her mother, and her brother Wyatt, as paranormal activity starts to occur in their home when Katie and Hunter (now called Robbie) move into the neighborhood. After Katie goes to the hospital, Alice's Mother takes Robbie (Hunter) in, which leads to strange occurrences around the house.

Undoubtedly, several characters will be killed off (Ben? Parents?), more spirit posession and more over-the-top Hollywood style activity.

What if?

Despite the rapidly deteriorating paranormal activity into a traditional Hollywood fare, it does raise a number of questions. Since the first movie debuted many people have started associating these fake hauntings with real hauntings and ask if all acitivty is like that.

As a real investigator in the community this posed an interesting thought... "What if it was a real case?" There have been a few cases of hauntings being so powerful that they could mimic some of the activity in this series, cases like The Entity or the Bell Witch or even the Vermont Poltergeist case. There are a lot of strange occurnaces out there.

The investigators/resources portrayed in the series over-react, panicking the clients and never provide a true remediation, worse still is that some demand payment.

If the case was real there would be a number of things that would play out a lot differently.

First, a quick Google search would turn up dozens of ghost hunting teams within a 10 mile radius of any one part of these cases. A quick call would draw the team over in a professional fashion and depending on who the client selected as a team the protocols, manners and solutions would differ.

Regardless of the team, they would separate the family members to interview them separately followed by a tour of the location. The team would then set up multiple cameras and tech to monitor and document the activity. *Yes the team would watch all of the amazing footage already captured but the number one thing about ghost hunter teams is that they want to capture it and experience it first-hand before helping.*

Remediation...

This is a very interesting case because the activity is focused on the individuals not on the location so there is no means to assure that the case would be resolved and activity neutralized if the home was remediated.

Similar to how a home can be remediated (either through the use of blessings, exorcisms, smudging, and other methods), a person can be remediated as well, and in a similar manner.

The method in which a person is remediated varies depending on their religious and cultural background. An client who is Catholic and believes that they are being personally plagued by an entity will be 'cleansed' in a manner different than someone of a different theological background. The Catholic church has measures in place to deal with paranormal problems, even if the are not always in support of the existence of these problems. These measures include blessings, utilizing holy water to cleanse the home and individual, and in severe cases, an exorcism, combining blessings, holy water, and the reading of select Bible passages.

The reason why theological belief is so critical to the success of a remediation is because belief is the key aspect in having these methods be successful. If the client is not convinced that the remediation will work, it will most likely fail. Absolute confidence in the success of the measure is what ensures that it will be successful. 

The second type of remediation that would most likely be attempted would be a smudging. This involves the use of incense to remove negative energy from both a home and an individual. This method is not tied to any religious beliefs, but requires confidence in the metaphysical world, and that incense can be used as a way to cleanse negative energy. Of the types of remediation presented, smudging is the easiest and fastest method. It is also very effective.

The last method of remediation is the scientific method. Science and research seems to indicate that spirits and entities are made up of an energy field which retains some level of personality and intelligence. When looked at not as a spirit, but viewed as a simple energy field, scientific methods of cancelling those energy fields begin to emerge. 

The first scientific method is utilizing a humidifier in a home. Water is a conductor of electricity, which is why we can be electrocuted while standing in water. The water spreads the electricity out, but as that electricity spreads, it becomes weaker and weaker. We can still be electrocuted, though, because that electricity has a powered source that is continually pumping power through the water, maintaining it's lethality.

When talking about a spirit or entity, however, that energy is a finite resource. They only have so much power to use, and once that is gone, it leaves them very weak. When additional water molecules are added into the air, it makes the air more conductive. When the energy pattern of a spirit comes in contact with that conductive environment, that energy pattern is spread out within the room. This greatly weakens the spirit, and makes them unable to do much. If a client is disturbed by a haunting, this is the first method suggested to help remediate the situation. Unfortunately, this is not a permanent resolution, and is not effective outside of the home.

The second scientific method is the use of EMF correctors. These are sold by electrical supply companies, and are designed to offset EMF field caused by ineffective wiring, or for utilization by those who live near high-tension power lines. The EMF correctors put out an electrical field designed to counteract the high EMF fields caused by the situations listed above, as well as spirits and entities. Again, this only works within the home, although pocket versions do exist, and can continue to work as long as there are working batteries in the device.

Given the long periods of inactivity and the activity appears to increase with the increase in emotions, the paranormal activity entity behaves very similarly to a poltergeist case. The haunting is centered on a female subject beginning with a pre-teen to teen state and recurrs with repressed emotion, or heightened emotions. While it is never clearly defined in these cases, therapy and counseling have shown in poltergeist cases to aleviate the acitivty for extended periods of time.

It becomes obvious that the scientific methods are effective when the paranormal activity occurs within a home, and is not specifically tied to an individual. With the Paranormal Activity movies, it appears that the entity in question is tied to specific members of the family, but with the exception of the 3rd movie, nothing is mentioned as occurring outside of the home, which seems to indicate that the entity in question is tied to an individual, but it's comfort zone is within the home. If a case with these circumstances is encountered, it may be beneficial to utilize the more temporary scientific methods, while a plan is developed to remediate the situation for the long term.

Looking at the remediation methods outlined, depending on the religious beliefs of the client, smudging and blessings/exorcisms, are the best way to manage a situation where a negative entity has attached to a client. But again, it is important to be aware of a client's religious beliefs, and make sure that those beliefs are addressed. 

Saturday, Sept 22nd 7-11PM

Haunted History Investigation of the Stone Meeting House in Remsen. Public investigation of the stone meeting house for Remsen-Steuben Historical Society. Learn the history of the Stone Meeting House and conduct your own investigation with the latest equipment and methods provided by the Shadow Chasers. Proceeds go towards the historic preservation of the site. Tickets $30 limited spots. Tickets available at the Historical Society Booth at the Remsen Barn Festival of the Arts.

Saturday, Sept 29nd 6-11PM

Public Investigation of the Farnam Mansion in Oneida and book signing. Book signing by author PW Creighton and the Shadow Chasers. Learn the history of the Farnam Mansion and conduct your own investigation with the latest equipment and methods provided by the Shadow Chasers. Proceeds go towards the historic preservation of the site. 

Saturday, Oct 13th 8-11PM

Haunted History Investigation of the Wellness:TE Lodge in Taberg. Public investigation of the Wellness:Te Lodge and Nature Sanctuary. Learn the history of these former Onieda Nations meeting grounds and conduct your own investigation with the latest equipment and methods provided by the Shadow Chasers.

Psychic Russ Roberts will be on hand to provide insight and readings.

Proceeds go towards the historic preservation of the site. Tickets $30 limited spots.

[Learn More...]

Saturday, Oct 20th 8-11PM

Public Investigation of the Farnam Mansion in Oneida and book signing. Learn the history of the Farnam Mansion and conduct your own investigation with the latest equipment and methods provided by the Shadow Chasers. Proceeds go towards the historic preservation of the site. 

Friday, Oct 26nd 5-11PM

On October 26th Townsquare Media are hosting the first ever ‘Haunted Rails Ghost Train’ on the Adirondack Railroad based on the CNY Paranormal series with the Shadow Chasers. Take a ride on the train with TV paranormal personalities as they tell stories of encounters with the paranormal and recount the history that could have created the ghosts.

Then disembark the train in Remsen to explore three historic haunted sites with the hosts for your chance to capture ghostly evidence first-hand.

After exploring the sites join the hosts with a cocktail party and a presentation of findings with your chance to meet the hosts personally and hear some of their latest adventures.

Tickets are Limited. [Get them Here]

Saturday, Oct 27nd 8-11PM

Haunted History Investigation of the Uptown Theater in Utica.

Learn the history of the Uptown Theater and conduct your own investigation with the latest equipment and methods provided by the Shadow Chasers.

Proceeds go towards the historic preservation of the site. Tickets $30 limited spots.

Saturday, Nov 10th 8-11PM

Haunted History Investigation of the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse.

Learn the history of the Erie Canal Museum, the only existing weighlock building and conduct your own investigation with the latest equipment and methods provided by the Shadow Chasers.

Proceeds go towards the historic preservation of the site. Tickets $15 limited spots.

[Learn More...]

The EVP

When it comes to field research, voice recorders are un-avoidable, they're needed to record witness interviews, field notes, and of course the EVP or Electronic Voice Phenomena. An EVP is an electronically generated noise that resembles speech, but are supposedly not the result of intentional voice recordings or renderings. Basically, voices that are not from natural sources.

EVPs and other Audio phenomena are what many ghost hunters and paranormal investigators rely on today to validate claims of paranormal phenomena at a site but many really do not understand the principals of audio or know what their devices are capable of in the field. Not every voice recorder is the same and just like cameras or camcorders, the different features can make all the difference.

History:

The Spiritualism Movement in the 19th century gave rise to the phenomena of Spirit Photography, essentially capturing ghosts on film but new technologies of the era including photography were employed by spiritualists in an effort to demonstrate contact with a spirit world. So popular were such ideas that Thomas Edison was asked in an interview with Scientific American to comment on the possibility of using his inventions to communicate with spirits. He replied that if the spirits were only capable of subtle influences, a sensitive recording device would provide a better chance of spirit communication than the table tipping and ouija boards mediums employed at the time.

As sound recording became widespread, mediums explored this technology to demonstrate communication with the dead. Photographer Attila von Szalay was among the first to try recording what he believed to be voices of the dead as a way to augment his investigations in photographing ghosts.

He began his attempts in 1941 using a 78 rpm record and later conducted a number of recording sessions with a custom-made apparatus, consisting of a microphone in an insulated cabinet connected to an external recording device and speaker. Szalay reported finding many sounds on the tape that could not be heard on the speaker at the time of recording, some of which were recorded when there was no one in the cabinet. He believed these sounds to be the voices of discarnate spirits.

The term Instrumental Trans-Communication (ITC) was coined by Ernst Senkowski in the 1970s to refer more generally to communication through any sort of electronic device such as tape recorders, fax machines, television sets or computers between spirits or other discarnate entities and the living.

Researchers continued to try various technologies and in 1980, William O'Neil constructed an electronic audio device called "The Spiricom." O'Neil claimed the device was built to specifications which he received psychically from George Mueller, a scientist who had died six years previously. He said that he was able to hold two-way conversations with spirits through the Spiricom device and provided the design specifications to researchers for free.

In 2002 an EVP enthusiast Frank Sumption, created the Frank's Box for supposed real-time communication with the dead, Sumption claims he received his design instructions from the spirit world. The device is described as a combination white noise generator and AM radio receiver modified to sweep back and forth through the AM band selecting split-second snippets of sound. Critics of the device say its effect is subjective and incapable of being replicated, and since it relies on radio noise, any meaningful response a user gets is purely coincidental, or simply the result of pareidolia.

Recording Audio

When it comes to fieldwork, recording audio is by-and-large the most difficult to capture reagrdless of what your projects is. If you're shooting a documentary, trying to capture bird calls or just trying to take field notes, recording clear audio can be extremely difficult.

Audio is analyzed and classified according to two primary factors; frequency, reported as a hertz level, and power reported as a decibel level. Many modern recorder attempt to limit external noises in the recorder by applying filters to the microphones so that it will only record in standard frequencies. Companies find the majority of consumers are unhappy with recorders that pick up everything. This is why Ultrasound and Infrasound are typically not recorded with standard recorders.

The Limit for Human Hearing is 20hz to 20,000hz.

Infrasound is any sound below the 20hz limit and is typically linked to paranormal phenomena. Many studies report infrasound as the source of paranormal phenomena due to the physiological effects that persistent infrasound has. Many EVPs recorded through these studies also are documented under the 20hz limit. It is unclear whether the paranormal activity is caused by the presence of the infrasound or the infrasound is caused by the presence of an unknown (paranormal) source.

The best possible practice to record clear audio in the field consists of:

• Setting up the recorder. Many digital recorders have a selection for quality. High quality (HQ) or extra high quality (XHQ), but this also can lead to limiting the audio that you will record. Some recorders apply additional filters depending on the settings restricting the frequencies recorded.
• Choose a location. EVPs can and have been recorded virtually everywhere. You don't need to be in a reportedly haunted location. It is of the highest importance that the user remain still, motionless if possible to limit audio contamination.
• Start the Session. - by stating out loud who you are, where you are, and what time it is. Do NOT whisper. Whispering can lead to false positives during review. Talk in a normal tone of voice. Ask questions. Leave adequate space between your questions to allow the recorder to pick up any possible responses.
• Note ambient noise - As you are recording, try to be very aware of noises both inside and outside of your environment. In everyday life, we have trained our brains to filter out a lot of background noise, but your recorder will pick up everything. So when you are making your recording, be aware of those noises and remark about them so they are not mistaken for EVP.
• Note the End of the Track. - As you finish the track remark the location and time again to estabilish the finish of the recording for analysis.

Analysis

When it comes to analyzing audio from a paranormal investigation a lot of investigators place immense weight on any audio anomalies, many risk their credibility and still others may actually risk professional credentials.

Unlike other more objective means of documentation, audio is subject to being removed from context and even more subject to pareidolia or matrixing as it is often termed. Pareidolia is a psychological phenomenon involving vague and random stimulus (often an image or sound) that are being perceived as significant.

In-short, since an individual is subject to a prolongued sitimulus, in this case whitenoise-static, the mind begins to percieve patterns where there are no patterns. This is a result of the mind simply trying to make sense of the chaos of static and quite frequently leads many investigators to go overboard attempting to 'clean up' the EVP so that others can hear it.

There are two primary means of analyzing audio recordings, first is to use your own ears through active listening and the second is to utilize a digital program for evaluation. Both methods are heavily dependent on subjective opinion and interpretation.

• Active Listening - Unlike the communications technique, in analysis, active listening requires the analyst to focus intently only on the audio, usually by elminating other stimulus and playing back the audio with noise-cancelling headphones.
• Digital Analysis - This technique requires the analyst to import the audio into a program where the waveform, or spectral form can be viewed and the track manipulated to clarify any audio anomalies.

Regardless of what technique is imployed to analyze the audio it is necessary to have others evaluate the findings to establish some objectivity. 

It is important to note that audio analysis is largely subjective, the only element that is neutral and completely objective is your recorder but there are limitations. Standard digital voice recorders have a number of set frequency filters and only record in single channel mono or stereo. Frequency filters are designed to provide noise cancellation on typical recordings but for EVP purposes they eliminate infrasound frequencies and restrict possible recording opportunities. Many digital voice recorders also feature an Auto Gain Circuit that automatically adjusts your recorder's microphone levels. Typically, only a higher quality Field Recorder will permit you to set the recording levels manually. 

Best Digital Voice Recorders

A voice recorder is an essential piece of equipment for every ghost hunting kit but no one can really decide on what is best. Everyone is wondering what is the best possible voice recorder for capturing EVPs. Ghost Hunters tend to use field recorders that cost more than most paranormal teams are capable of generating in a year's worth of fundraisers. Still others rely on personal equipment that they use for professional purposes while the majority of ghost hunters are lucky to purchase a cheapy digital voice recorder from the electronics section at their box giant all the while ghost hunting outfitters are trying to hock equipment to unwitting teams at ridiculous mark-ups.

So what are some of the best digital voice recorders today?

Cheap digital voice recorders typically avaialble all suffer from frequnecy filters, auto gain circuits and seemingly short life expectancies. The cheaper recorders offer fewer frequency filters but also permit more contamination of the tracks through poor quality microphones. Most recorders in this vein only seem to last for around a hundred hours of record time before dying or suffering microphone malfunctions. The best of these tend to be Sony recorders at around eighty to one hundred dollars. At that price point it is questionable to purchase a standard digital voice recorder for EVP recordings.

Another option for digital voice recorders to use out in the field that provide much more in terms of features and quality are field recorders. A field recorder is a digital voice recorder with a variety of professional features much like there are prosumer and professional cameras there are also prosumer and professional voice recorders. 

Olympus LS-20M - This Field Recorder, digital voice recorder features dual condenser mics capable of recording 24-bit / 96kHz PCM audio, and a built-in camcorder that can capture full 1080p high-definition video, the LS-20M.

While not a night vision camera, it is important to think of this as a field recorder with the benefit of being a camcorder as well. This particular unit makes it possible to record clear audio with dual channel stereo and a back-up camcorder perfect for interviews. The selectable bitrate and file types keep all of the digital voice recorder/field recorder features while adding the camcorder.

Zoom H1 and H4N - These field recorders feature dual channel XY microphones with dedicated function buttons. Its backlit display features recording levels, file format, time elapsed, remaining battery life and recording time.

Intuitive transport puts all the controls on the side with no menus on the screen. A large record button gives you complete control. Playback and pause, marker, forward and rewind buttons are all accessible by your thumb. Volume for playback and monitoring can be adjusted using your index finger. The H$N features on-board editing controls that allow you to tweak a track fo EVP playback right in the field.

Sony PCM-D50 - The PCM-D50 is a 96kHz/24-bit digital field recorder fitted with two-position (X-Y or Wide) stereo microphones, 4GB of internal flash memory and a Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo™ slot. Constructed of lightweight aluminum, this field recorder is built to withstand the demands of professional applications.

This is the digital voice recorder that is currently used by all Syfy channel shows for their EVP sessions.

The field recorder permits users to edit tracks on the unit, adjust input levels, gain and positioning of the microphones. The recorder provides clean sound but also features more concentrated frequenceny filters than other recorders. This is also the single most expensive field recorder of these recomended digital voice recorders for EVP recordings.

This unit does not offer anything more than the Olympus, Zoom or Tascams yet, it does appear to bit a bit more durable than the Zoom recorders. 

Tascam DR-05 and DR-40 - The DR-05 records in MP3 or WAV format – including 96kHz/24-bit high-resolution audio – to microSD or microSDHC media. A pair of all-new microphones handles up to 125dB SPL with the sensitivity to capture every detail. With new recording features like Peak Reduction and Quick Menu, the DR-05 puts album-quality recording in the palm of your hand.

The DR - 05 is very similar to the Zoom H1 recorder both in price and in features.

The DR-40 captures up to four tracks from built-in, high-quality condenser microphones, XLR mic or line inputs. The internal mics are adjustable from XY to AB position, helping you to tailor your recording to the sound of the room. A pair of great-sounding TASCAM microphone preamps welcome condenser microphones with phantom power, recording at up to 96kHz/24-bit resolution. It accommodates balanced XLR or 1/4" line inputs using locking Neutrik Combo jacks.

The Tascam units are very similar to the Zoom recorders although the quality of recordings differ due to the variable bitrates available and the compression codecs used by the two companies. Both yield high quality field recorders for EVP recording sessions but the prices may deter some.

Out On A Limb

 Just like selecting camcorders for their night vision capabilities, or combining survey equipment with other devices, a number of creative individuals have taken to designing equipment specifically for recording EVPs. The problem is that these devices are either experimental like the PX/Ovilus or they combine too many devices to be effective, while others are simply redundant.

DAS RT-EVP - Interactive digital voice recorder has some new hardware and firmware features, older pre-existing RT's cannot be upgraded. New Features Include: * Increased memory from 4G to 8G * Real Time (viewable) EVP Counter with Numerical Interface Counts and locates EVP's within the saved file. * Allows the user to incorporate Number Interaction as part of their EVP session. Ask a question and watch for a response on a large "0000" Display * Adjustable sensitivity allows the user to separate a Class "A" EVP from a Class "C" EVP.

Using the AVR (Auto Voice Record) it will tell you if any EVP's have been captured with the corresponding time and file location * Enhanced Audio Amplification * Includes Koss Audio 15Hz isolating earbuds with separate playback volume control. Allows the user to increase the MIC sensitivity and lower the playback volume thus reducing any playback bleed through. * Additional remote MIC included with Left and Right Channel separation capability. may allow the user to determine origin of EVP signal strength.

 Devices like the DAS RT-EVP and EVP Field Recorder provide 'the tools paranormal investigators need' but only based on common assumptions held by investigators.

The EVP field recorder is actually only a device that detects audio levels and signals them with LEDs, this is no different than a channel graph on a field recorder.  The newer model of the DAS-RT-EVP does host a new set of features more worthy of the price tag but the recording quality is substandard.

When it comes to selecting the best digitial voice recorder for EVPs, it is no different than selecting the best camcorder. You need to answer whether you want something decent that can only be used for ghost hunting or something that you can use any other time. It may be better to pick up an entry level field recorder than to invest in multiple cheap recorders that will likely contaminate results and die within a year or so.

Measuring Science

One of the fundamentals of almost every investigative method for paranormal research is that of the radiological survey. 

When it was first possible to measure environmental conditions, university researchers set about surveying a site for any possible environmental factor that could account for the paranormal phenomena and inadvertantly identified a multitude of possible factors.

While there are a number of psychological factors that could account for reported paranormal phenomena, environmental scientists discovered even more potential causes including radiation.

Everything in the universe has an Electromagnetic Field or EMF. The Earth has a DC field called the 'Geomagnetosphere' that protects us from solar radiation. Artificial sources like powerlines, electronics and such have larger AC fields. Even our bodies have a natural DC field (and an Electrostatic field) that are easily measurable. The affects of these fields and on these fields have led to many advancements but why would these have any affect on paranormal claims? 

Radiation that can cause phsyiological and psychological alterations at a site consist of Electromagnetic Radiation (both AC and DC), Electrostatic, Radio Frequency and Ionizing radiation like Alpha, Beta, Gamma and X-Ray. All of these forms of radiation have a presence in modern environments and all can result in what is termed Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity or Electromagnetic Poisoning. It is this poisoning that can lead an unaware subject to believe that they are experiencing paranormal phenomena.

Electromagnetic Poisoning Symptoms:

• chronic fatigue
• daily headaches
• insomnia
• allergies
• high blood pressure
• brain fog
• ADD/ADHD
• migraine headaches
• lymphoblastic leukemia
• miscarriages
• stress
• nausea
• fatigue
• skin conditions – burning, rashes, pain
• tinnitus and other audible noises
• chronic pain
• erratic pulse
• weak immune system
• Hallucinations

These are just some of the symptoms that one can experience when subjected to excessive amounts of Electromagnetic Radiation. By identifying the radiation in the environment, it is possible to identify the potential sources of the "paranormal" activity. This is not to say all paranormal phenomena are simply excessive radiation but the large majority of studies have identified that what does not come from a routine source may be detectable as a radiological anomaly.

Identifying potential environmental radiation and radiological anomalies are environmental science at it's finest. Physics scientists, environmental scientests, environmental geologists and environmental survey technicians study these fields and their effects every day. This is also where ghost hunters have adopted environmental survey techniques, the actual science that permits them to validate or invalidate claims from a scientific standpoint.

EMF Meters

Since ghost hunting and paranormal investigating hit the mainstream, everyone learns that you need an EMF Meter to hunt for ghosts. It's also at this point where skeptics jump up and say these devices do not detect ghosts, there is NO Science in what you are doing.

This is both true and false at the same time.

Knowing the effects electromagnetic radition can have on a person gives a researcher something to measure for, something to look for in the environment. Through a radiological survey it is possible to scientifically identify with some certainty what 'could' be the cause of some accounts. It is also important to note that NO meter is capable of detecting ghosts. Anomalies identified through a survey are just that, radiological anomalies.

If an EMF meter is used properly, then it is possible to identify potential sources and any anomalies that are within the environment.

EMF Meter vs EMF Detector

Nothing is more frustrating as a researcher than having amateur ghost hunters and would-be researchers referring to their technology based on what they've learned from TV shows. If you want to be taken seriously as a researcher, learn the science.

• EMF Meter - An EMF meter is any radiological survey device that 'measures' and provides some means of identifying field strength intensity.
• EMF Detector - An EMF Detector is any radiological survey device that can 'identify' a field and indicate the basic intensity (not a measured strength).

Many individuals always tend to argue their point both about this and the term 'debunk' but always fail to see the point. Anyone that wants to hold their work as credible strives to provide little ammunition for skeptics. Failing to understand professional terminology is the first step toward discrediting your work for any skeptic.

EMF Meter Usage

Using an EMF meter properly, or any radiological survey device for that matter, is greatly dependant on understanding the capabilities of the device, the specifications and the intended useage.

For instance the most common device is the Lutron 822-A EMF meter, this device measures on a single axis across the 30 - 400hz AC field and is designed to measure accurately 50/60hz range in either Milligauss or MicroTesla with accuracy of 4% at that range. This means it is the most accurate when measuring AC or artificial fields and loses accuracy depending on the frequency above and below that intended usage. Single Axis also means that the meter needs to be rotated to meaure on all 3 Axis.

Depending on the model, a survey meter may measure on multiple axis or it may require you to manually rotate to measure for the peak field strength.

DC EMF meters work on a very similar principle and scale however, most of these devices are subject to interference from other natural fields within the environment. These require extensive training and time to use properly to survey a site.

Another device may be an electrostatic monitor or an Air Ion counter. These measure ions as parts-per-millionth (ppm) and determine the calculated microvoltage. There are no axis to meaure with these as they measure by contact with a field.

Still, another type of meter may measure for classic raditiaton like Alpha, Beta, Gamma or X-Rays and in many instances these devices are limited in which 'band' they are measuring for in the field. The more fields that a radiological meter measures the more the accuracy of those measurements decrease.

Capacitor Circuit vs Magnetometer

The two most prominent types of devices in paranormal research at the moment are based on one of two types of technology, either a capacitive circuit or a magnetomer. 

• Capacitive Circuit - A capacitor circuit measures the change in the field of the capacitor as the energy moves the field on the electroplate. Many 'detectors' including the K-2, K II 'meters' use a capacitive circuit, the downside is that capacitive circuits can be influenced by any field effectively invalidating any results.
• Magnetometer - A magnetometer circuit comes in one of three forms; Vector, Ring Core and Search Coil sensors. The principle is a sensitive metal is pulled in a direction and the pull is measured to determine field strength. These are ALL EMF meters. This means that any sudden movement can cause changes in readings and if the motion is strong enough it could cause calibration issues.

Survey - A survey is conducted by holding the survey meter aproxiamtely 20inches from the body, stopping every 3-5ft and slowly moving in sweeping motions before advancing. If it is single axis or dual-axis it may require you to roatate the meter as you 'sweep.' Once a peak is identified that measurement it then followed to identify its source.

 It is very important to note that most hand-held meters suffer from accuracy issues and may produce different results when surveying a site multiple times. External factors like elctricity pulses in the lines, saturation of the meter's circuits and even weather conditions can affect the accuracy of these devices. If you're measuring for AC EMF fields, Electrostatic or RF there are countless contamination sources that could throw-off measurements and accuracy during a survey. Even additional electronics in hand can affect a sensor decreasing the accuracy of your survey.

Geophysicists utilize magetometers routinely and to assure their accuracy these devices are quite large, a 20-30lb backpack array, a tablet computer and a large sensor that is on a pole 5-6ft off the ground to prevent contamination. Surveys are conducted by stopping to take readings every 3-6ft in a grid-like pattern. You may have a handheld unit but just remember accuracy is an issue with those units.

Flashy Ghost Hunting

 The most scientific part of ghost hunting is the environmental survey but many regard it with awe when the ghost hunter takes out that unusual looking device with all of the blinking lights. To the lay-person this is the most interesting part of ghost hunting and to a degree it's what ghost hunters like as well. In all honesty, every paranormal investigator wants their own version of a proton pack.

In reality, conducting a site survey with EMF meters and other radiological survey meters is a very dull and laborious process.

• You estabilsh a 'baseline' for the site and make note of what would be a variation over or below that measurement.
• You systematically divide up the site, thinking of the layout in a grid.
• You follow that grid tracing readings within that space.
• You do not immediately measure electronics based on assumptions. (Accurate measurments will guide you to the source within that space).
• Decrease the interference with the survey by reducing potential radiation sources. (ie electronics on your person, contamination sources like wifi, radios etc.)
• Any fields that cannot have a source identified are noted as anomalies.

Following this basic survey method will assure the most accurate results and validate potential EMF Poisoning sources. Sadly, this is also where amateur ghost hunters can fail miserably by invalidating their own results in favor of flash.

The Proton Pack Approach

A lot of investigators want to have something flashy, their own proton pack or they just want to minimize their time spent doing a survey. So, these investigators will resort to carrying multiple electronics while conducting a survey or they will combine electronics into one device this effectively in-validates any readings with the device.

Quite often, creative investigators will take kids toys like the Eyclops Night Vision gogles and add an EMF meter to it (in this case an electro-sensor) to simplify the survey and make it 'flash.' The accuracy of the EMF meter is already questionable and adding electronics to it only assures that the device will never accurately measure.

Any readings taken when devices are combined like the eyclops/electrosensor or the camcorder/electrosensor are open to skeptics to discredit because of the inaccuracies of those readings.

If you are attempting a scientific approach to your ghost hunting then it is necessary to understand your technology, the methods and techniques required. It is very dull but you will have valid data. If you're after your own proton pack-style then expect skeptics to discredit your methods immediately. You are using a kids toy after-all.

Finally, if the dry radiological survey doesn't sound like your style then you may want to consider a different method altogether, maybe a documentarian?