The most important ingredient for a good investigation is...COMMON SENSE!

It's very easy to get caught up in the hunt for ghosts and other anomalous events and convince ourselves that we saw or heard or felt something paranormal.  But if you want to have any credibility at all, and if you truly care about obtaining reliable evidence, then that is a human trap that must be avoided.

(Anyone looking for a cheap thrill is advised to go to your nearest amusement park and ride the roller coaster.  The majority of your time on an actual investigation is spent....waiting, and waiting, and waiting.  Leave the investigation to mature people while you go off and have fun. )

So, if you are a mature person who truly desires to get involved in 'ghost hunting', or if you are someone who might be considering having an investigation done, here is what you can expect from the average but reputable ghost hunters performing an investigation.

Basic Investigation Outline

1.  Permission -- Any good team is going to first obtain permission to conduct an investigation, such as in a cemetary after dark. Of course, permission is implied if a homeowner has requested the investigation! Failure to obtain that permission can and most likely will result in the would-be ghost hunter cooling their heels in jail while their ghost hunting career comes to an abrupt halt. ;)

2.  The team will visit the area first in the daytime, in order to evaluate the best areas to set up as well as note any dangerous places to avoid or take special note of, such as an open doorway into a cellar.

3.  Interviews will normally be done at that time, any confidentiality agreements will be signed, and the investigators and family will get to know each other a little better. Members of the family will answer questions about the possible paranormal activity, giving the investigators as much information as possible so they can help determine whether or not the activity is paranormal or has a physical explanation. At no time will a reputable team of investigators ever diminish or ridicule what the family or persons in the family may be experiencing, they will be treated with respect and compassion.

4.  Once the preliminaries are taken care of, and a time agreed upon to conduct the investigation, the team will return at that time and set up their equipment before getting started. Some teams stick with minimal equipment, others have a lot of whizbang gizmo's they like to use, it just varies from group to group. But typically they will have digital cameras, digital and tape voice recorders, perhaps a couple of EMF meters, and digital thermometers with which to verify cold or warm spots. More info on the equipment on the Tools of the Trade link...

5.  Investigations are usually conducted from nine p.m. til the early morning hours, depending upon how much activity may occur or time agreed upon earlier. Base line readings such as the temperature in various areas will be documented. Team members will use their own equipment to take recordings or take turns using different pieces of equipment, going through the home or place being investigated slowly, first looking for possible natural explanations for the phenomenon reported to be taking place, as they try to get a picture or voice recording or any other piece of evidence regarding the reported event.

6.  Investigators will make notes all through the investigation, on anything they hear or see or feel or do. Temperatures will be recorded, variances noted, impressions taken note of, and these will later be compared to the base line readings obtained prior to the investigation.

7.  Most of the time will be spent waiting, with nothing going on at all beyond the team members taking pictures and waiting for something to happen. Digital voice recorders may be set up in a stationary place for passive recording, or they may carry them around with them, asking general questions such as the name of the spirit that might be there, in the hope that if there is a ghost, they will be able to say something that would be captured and heard later.

8.  Once the team leader calls it a night, all equipment is packed up, and the team heads home. The information gathered on the various devices will be evaluated, and any results will be shared with the other team members as well as the family if it was a home investigation.

Techniques Used During Investigation

Pictures -- investigative teams will use digital or film cameras to capture still photo's throughout the house, and sometimes video's will also be taken. If any anomalous event occurs, such as a sudden temperature drop, more pictures will be taken of that area, along with voice recordings, and an attempt be made to seek out a natural explanation first.

Voice -- digital and tape voice recorders are used to try and capture EVP's, electronic voice phenomenon, which will be evaluated later.

Temperatures -- base line temps are taken prior to the investigation, and taken throughout the investigation, and will be noted in the log.

EMF - electromagnetic frequency readings will be taken throughout the night and later compared to the base line readings taken prior to the investigation. Sometimes a compass is used, and any variations in it will also be recorded as well.

Subjective -- team members will record their own personal impressions and feelings throughout the investigation, noting any sensations they experience, and making note of any explainable noise or pic that might be captured in a digital voice recorder or on camera, such as noting a plane flew overhead, so anyone reviewing the recording will know there is a natural explanation for that sound.

Attitude

Prior to, throughout, and after an investigation, the team members must have a respectful attitude towards home owners and the investigation itself. Certainly, funny  things can happen, and do, and sometimes even the most seasoned investigator might get momentarily startled.

But running out of the door screaming is not only unprofessional, it is devastating to the credibility of the entire team. And it certainly doesn't help a homeowner feel any reassurance about their situation if the supposed professionals freak out.

Using common sense and staying calm are two of the most important attitudes an investigator needs to have.