The Ghost Hunter's Society
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our frequently asked questions page. The
following questions have been asked of us by seminar audience members, online
visitors and fellow investigators. We hope you find the answers to your
questions here. If not, feel free to email us and we will be more than happy to
respond.
How do I join The Ghost Hunter's Society?
Currently we have online membership open to the
public. The online membership is easy to obtain. Simply go to our links
page and copy one of our official membership tags and display it on your home
page with a link to our site. Then sign up for our official online newsletter by
using the link on our home page. It's that easy and best of all, it's
free! For full membership in G.H.S., you must pay membership dues, sign a confidentiality agreement (agreeing to keep private
residences and actual names confidential), and attend our meetings. Full
membership is currently closed at this time. However, we will let everyone
know when enrollment will begin again.
What is a ghost?
Webster's Dictionary describes a ghost as: "The
supposed disembodied spirit of a dead person, conceived of as appearing to the
living as a pale, shadowy apparition." There are also many
different types ghosts or apparitions: crisis apparitions, apparitions of the
dead, collective apparitions, reciprocal apparitions, veridical apparitions,
deathbed apparitions and apparitions in relation to reincarnation. Ghosts and
apparition experiences are also accompanied by disembodied noises or sounds,
sudden room temperature changes and unusual smells or odors. They can also
be accompanied by disembodied voices, visual images (such as locations), tactile
sensations (commonly pushing or pinching), displacement of objects and the
apparent movement of objects via P.K. energy. Apparitions can also
look transparent or as real as you or I. They can also cast shadows and do
have a reflection in mirrors.
Crisis apparitions: These apparitions are commonly
known as "living ghosts". They generally appear at the time that
their earthly agent is in a crisis or traumatic event to those who have a strong
emotional bond to them. For example, in WWII several witnesses reported
seeing a vision or apparition of their loved one at the exact time of
death. Crisis apparitions are not always harbingers of death, often the
earthly agent survives the crisis or trauma only to be told of their
"psychic projection" later. These apparitions seem to act as a
warning mechanism to friends and family members and have similarities to
reciprocal apparitions. However, these apparitions, when associated with
death, can resemble or have exact similarities to deathbed visions.
Apparitions of the dead: These apparitions
are the manifestations of the recently deceased. Usually, their purpose is
to complete unfinished business, convey information, comfort loved ones or, in
some cases, announce themselves as a spirit guide. They are generally the
most reported type of ghost phenomenon and most popular classification in many
ghost stories. They have been reported to be conscious of those present
upon their manifestation and are, at times, able to communicate to the living as
well as manipulate objects.
Collective apparitions: These apparitions are
manifestations of the living or the dead that are viewed by multiple witnesses
in multiple locations at the same moment in time. It has been estimated
that at least one third of apparitions sightings are experienced by collective
witnesses.
Reciprocal apparitions: These apparitions are
manifestations of both the agent and the witness appearing to the other
simultaneously. These cases are rare but have similar aspects of crisis
apparitions. One theory in regards to reciprocal apparitions is that there
is a strong desire in the agent and percipient to see one another unconsciously
causing an out-of-body experience.
Veridical apparitions: These are apparitions that
can be corroborated by facts. For instance: Lady A., a famous night
club singer, was murdered in the hall of her Victorian mansion with a
candlestick in 1930. The story was printed in all the local newspapers at
that time. Since then, she appears in the hall dressed as she was on that
fateful night at the exact time of her murder. She can be positively identified
by photographs taken in 1930 as well as by her one of a kind voice that can be
heard seconds before she appears. These cases are considered to be the best to
study as there has been prior documentation to back up the claims of
witnesses. In many cases these apparitions are unaware or are oblivious to
any witnesses. They appear to be replaying a specific moment in time as if
it were a video recording of the event or incident.
Deathbed apparitions: These are apparitions that
are seen by those who are about to die. Many have claimed to see religious
figures, divine beings, visual images or dead loved ones coming to guide them to
whatever existence awaits them. These apparitions have also been reported
in near-death experiences as well.
Apparitions in regards to reincarnation: These
apparitions are usually experienced in dreams where the deceased shows
him/herself to a family member (usually the mother) of the family it will next
be born into. Some Native Northwest American tribes have these dreams
frequently.
What is a haunting?
A haunting is best described as a manifestation of unexplained phenomenon
attributed to an apparition or a ghost. It incorporates unexplained
noises, smells/odors, tactile sensations and some times the sighting of a
ghost. Many hauntings revolve around a specific event that took place in
that location be it a death, a murder or even a bloody battle. Hauntings
can last only a few weeks to a few centuries and can be continuous or occur on a
specific date. For example: St. Rita's church in Chicago allegedly
has a procession of phantom monks appear every Halloween at or around
midnight. This can be considered a retro-haunting.
There are, however, retro hauntings that revolve around
historical events. For instance, a Gettysburg battlefield may
"replay" a battle for those who are lucky enough to be in the right
place at the right time. This battle would take place on the anniversary
of the battle, but not always at the same time. We can consider this to be
a historical haunting, or a haunting that can be confirmed by known facts about
the location and the events that transpired there in the past.
Why? No one really knows how or why hauntings and ghost sightings
occur. We like to subscribe to the "Electromagnetic wave
theory". The theory states that a location involving an emotional
event can actually "record" the alpha and beta waves transmitted from
the human brain and store them in an electromagnetic wave pattern. This
pattern then "replays" the event for those individuals who's brain may
be tuned to the same frequency of the wave pattern. It is also theorized
that it may only take one person in a select group to see this event
replayed. This agent then acts as a transmitter for the others in the
group causing them to experience the event as well. This theory can also
explain why ghosts in a haunting seem to be oblivious to those around them and
why they can walk through walls that may not have been present when the original
event took place.
People seem to have different reactions to hauntings as well. Many
believe that a person must have a heightened awareness or posses emotional
states that are more receptive. This would explain why true psychics are
able to pick up on hauntings more so than others. Although, it has also
been theorized that if a person is exposed to a series of hauntings or haunted
locations, that person may be more susceptible to experience them in more detail
in the future, much like learned behavior.
How does The Ghost Hunter's Society investigate paranormal activity?
When we are called upon to investigate an alleged haunting or ghost sighting,
we will take the following preliminary steps before actually investigating:
- First we will conduct an interview with the witness(es) or property
owner. This may be a person to person interview or by completing one
of our questionnaires.
- Next, we will research the property and it's prior occupants if
possible. This will give us an idea of the facts that exist for
reference as well as give us an idea of what facts are available to the
general public. This will enable us to pin point valid historical
references as well as root out the possibility of fraudulent claims.
- A follow up interview may be conducted in order to compare results from
the first interview as well as gain any new insight into the case study.
- We will then compile a list of similar cases in
order to compare possible results from the investigation.
- Finally, we will have a preliminary meeting to discuss our plan for
investigation as well as make the necessary arrangements for travel, dates,
time and permissions.
We now enter the investigation stage. Our investigation agenda will
vary from case to case. However, some elements always remain the
same. Our typical agenda is as follows:
- Upon arrival, we will get a base line reading with EMF detectors. If
we are using the M.E.S.A. system, we will take base line readings with it as
well as with EMF detectors. We will pay special attention to those
areas that have been reported to have had an event take place. This
gives us an idea of what the ambient readings are in case of any spikes in
EMF or any other fields we may be collecting data on.
- Usually while conducting the base line readings. A member or members
of the team will conduct additional interviews, gather additional
information, take preliminary photos and set up a "safe room" or
"safe area". The "safe" room or area is a specific
location, usually a good distance away from our equipment, where
investigators can go to rest, reload film or tapes, complete paperwork, eat
or simply take a break.
- Equipment set up is next on the agenda. Equipment is checked, new
batteries are installed for devices that require them, new film is
loaded into cameras and camcorders, new tapes are loaded into tape
recorders, etc.. We will target allegedly haunted and non-haunted
locations in which to set up camcorders, tape recorders, CCTV cameras,
motion sensors, M.E.S.A., thermometers, etc.. We will usually have a
good idea of where to set up devices from our interviews and floor plan or
area map.
- If there are enough investigators on the team, we will set up sub groups
to survey specific locations in the home or on the property. These sub
groups will maintain and manage the equipment in their area as well as
report any findings as they happen.
- If the investigation is taking place overnight, a rotation may be set up
to keep watch over a specific location. If in an outdoor location that
allows us to set up camp, sub groups will pitch their tents in their
assigned locations.
- Throughout the investigation, we will take control photos in allegedly
haunted locations as well as non-haunted locations, take readings with
handheld EMF detectors or other independent sensors, check stationary
equipment, monitor CCTV cameras, etc.. If an event is experienced by a
team member, they will mark down the location, time, distance, duration,
type of experience and any other relevant information in their notes as well
as shoot photos or film with a camcorder.
- Upon the completion of the investigation, we will conduct a final base
line sweep, collect our equipment, finalize our notes and paperwork, clean
up any debris or garbage, thank our host (if any) and exit the scene.
- We will then process any film, review any tapes and video, write up an
individual report and then regroup within the next few days to have a
debriefing meeting. The debriefing will bring together any
corroborating evidence or experiences, review the investigation results and
give team members a chance to comment on the investigation. A final
report may then be written and sent to the host (if any). A decision
may also be made to follow up with another investigation based on the
initial results. A follow up interview may also be conducted with the
property owner to see if any additional activity has taken place after our
investigation.
As you can see, ghost hunting isn't easy. However, if you are ever
lucky enough to obtain an unexplained photograph, E.V.P recording or something
on video; it's well worth all the work!
What kind of equipment should I use for ghost hunting?
Equipment is based on how much you are willing to invest. The following
is a list of the raw basics every ghost hunter should have in their backpack:
- 35 mm camera with a flash that can be turned on or off. additional
lenses are up to your budget. Be sure to Remove the camera
strap or wear it around your neck!
- 200 speed B&W or color film (highest quality possible for your
budget). Used for indoor/outdoor shot during daylight hours.
- 400 or higher speed B&W or color film (once again, highest quality
possible for your budget). Used for night photography with or without flash.
- clear filter to eliminate refraction or reflection of flashes.
- OPTION: Polaroid camera (best model possible on your budget).
Polaroid film can capture infrared and ultraviolet light.
- OPTION: Best Polaroid film possible on your budget.
- Tape recorder. Hand held or table model.
- OPTION: external microphone.
- Highest grade audio tape available for your budget.
- Notebook.
- Graph paper.
- Pens, pencils and chalk.
- Scissors.
- Compass. Can be used to find EMF fields.
- Flashlight or headlamp (I use a Petzl headlamp as it leaves my hands
free). Be sure to turn it off when taking photos!
- ruler or measuring tape.
- indoor/outdoor thermometer (the more sensitive the better!)
- electrical tape, duct tape, invisible tape or glow tape. Used for
marking and making field repairs.
- A first aid kit. Better to be safe than sorry.
The following is a list of equipment we currently use on investigations:
- M.E.S.A. (when available)
- Tri-field EMF detectors.
- Visual light sensors.
- Ultraviolet light sensors.
- Infrared light sensors.
- Static sensors.
- 35 mm cameras
- 200 speed B&W and color film
- 400 and above speed B&W and color film
- High end Polaroid camera.
- High end Polaroid film.
- CCTV system with four cameras with lowlight capabilities.
- VHS recorder.
- High grade VHS tapes.
- Camcorders with lowlight capabilities.
- High grade 8mm video cassettes.
- Seismograph.
- Tape recorders. Handheld and table models with external PZM
microphones.
- High end audio tapes
- Notebooks.
- Graph paper.
- Pens, pencils and chalk.
- Scissors.
- Compass.
- Flashlights and headlamps
- Ruler and measuring tape.
- indoor/outdoor digital and analog thermometers
- electrical tape, duct tape, invisible tape and glow tape.
- A first aid kit
We are always adding to our equipment list as our wallets allow.
Copyright ©2000 Michael Komen and The Ghost Hunter's Society. All rights reserved.
Revised: April 17, 2000.