*AUTHORS NOTE*
From the outset it should be made clear that what follows describes procedures and items of equipment used in ‘ghost hunting’ as opposed to ‘paranormal research’; the two are mutually exclusive and although similar are not interchangeable. I also wish to state that (A) I have more than 40 years experience in investigating all types of paranormal and UFO related phenomena, (from past experience I believe them to be wholly interchangeable), and (B) From time to time I do use various items of measuring and recording equipment. While fully accepting the existence of an afterlife with the certain knowledge that we ALL eventually achieve this state, this, in my opinion, has nothing to do with a creator God; rather, it is a function of theoretical physics, and possibly thermodynamics.
Signals from the Void
It has now become almost a prerequisite that groups of modern ghost-hunters (as opposed to paranormal researchers) must possess a considerable arsenal of hi-tech test equipment for use in their various enterprises. The reasons for this are uncertain and the ability of those who use this equipment to interpret the readings correctly even more so. Perhaps one of the contributing factors to the puzzle is the prevalence of sensationalist and perhaps bogus TV shows like ‘Most Haunted’. This particular show has at best been a two-edged sword. On one hand, although by no means the worst offender for there are similar US based shows where the investigators arrive ‘tooled up’ like extras from a Rambo film, it has introduced the valid notion that there is an afterlife accessible in a manner that organised religion has signally failed to achieve, and indeed actively suppresses.
However, on the other hand it has also created the erroneous and potentially dangerous perception that the entities inhabiting this nebulous ‘otherworld’ are fair game and ripe for exploitation. In other words ghosthunting is an enterprise that can be lifted and laid as the mood suits. We should be absolutely clear on one issue, the broadcasting act precludes transmission of programmes promoting the existence of an afterlife as fact; they are classed as entertainment and as such not to be taken seriously. Conversely, the act sees absolutely no dichotomy in broadcasting religious programmes of all persuasions as fact. It is tempting to drift off into a discussion on the etiquette and ethics of this pursuit, e.g. if the inhabitants of the afterlife are sentient and still have emotions do they perhaps resent out rude intrusions into their world, in other words are we welcome? Or, along with the loss of a physical body, do they also lose the crass, negative and largely unnecessary emotions of anger, jealousy and hatred? Evidently they still maintain curiosity and a keen interest in the subjects that they held dear while in mortal form, or so some researchers insist.
The Tools
Perhaps at its most basic, the worst aspect of the popularisation of the paranormal as a subject for mass entertainment is the upswing in the use of Ouija boards which are, perhaps, the most fundamental form of hardware required to contact the ‘other side’. These devices, the name derives from the French and German words for yes, are potentially dangerous and best avoided, except under the supervision of a good and reliable medium. They are the psychic equivalent of having a party and indiscriminately asking anyone and everyone to attend. Nevertheless they are frequently deployed at impromptu séances held during vigils; these are normally ad-hoc affairs convened without the tempering influence of mediums and extremely risky enterprises. Other frequently used items of low-tech equipment are so-called trigger objects, which usually comprise small, easily identified objects, normally wooden, with simple outlines (like a crucifix). The objects are deployed at strategic locations where they are placed on squares of white paper or card and the outline of the object is traced onto the paper. The idea is that if ‘spirit’ is present it will indicate this by causing the object to move and the movement will be picked up because of the traced outline. Actually it demonstrates nothing of the kind, for any movement could be, and most likely is, caused by an entire range of natural factors.
The list of modern equipment is impressive and usually fairly expensive; it includes at the accessible end of the scale: Electromagnetic (EMF) field meters, electrostatic (ESM) field meters, Geiger counters, anemometers, barometers, tape recorders both analogue and digital, camera’s both conventional and digital, still and video, CCTV camera and monitors, infra-red alarm sensors, thermocouple (TC) and resistance (RT) based digital thermometers, ‘point and shoot’ infra-red thermometers, usually with a laser pointer, ‘night-vision viewers’, a set of two-way radios, common or garden magnetic compasses and right on down to torches, notebooks and pencils. While at the top end, and normally under the label of paranormal research, we have such extremely expensive devices as Electro-encephalograms (ECG’s) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners. All very well and good, but what do they actually tell us? Perhaps we should look at the suitability of certain individual items. Although very tempting to speculate upon the use of the highly specialised and expensive ‘top end’ laboratory equipment, I shall confine my observations to the more easily accessible items since they are more relevant to the average ‘seeker’.
Both EMF and ESM meters are self-explanatory, but what do the readings mean? Do they indicate that there is an increase in the ambient, magnetic, electrical or electrostatic fields in any given location? Yes, of course they do; but what does that signify, the presence of a ghost/spirit/discarnate entity? Well, maybe, but probably not, check the house wiring and location of any pylons and radio masts first. Why should this dubiety occur? Because of the implications raised by the readings themselves, e.g. does this mean that the presence of EM fields indicates that a manifestation is occurring? Is the manifestation caused by the fluctuation in the field or does the manifestation cause the fluctuation, or both, or neither? Does the presence of any elevated EM field create the neurological conditions for the human brain to ‘see’ these events, or do ‘they’ perhaps exist as a blip in the ubiquitous background ocean of radiation that surrounds us.
The truth is, in fact, that in spite of frequent and fevered claims to the contrary we do not know one way or the other; we can only hypothesise, as the readings are both anomalous and frequently spurious. Having said that I have known of paper plates with iron filings lightly sprinkled over them used to good effect to capture transient external EM fields that periodically swept though one particular house. I have also known of wire wool being teased out and attached to a short piece of wood or other suitable non-conductive material. To this construction some small, metallic, ‘cat bells’ were attached; these responded audibly to, once again, transient magnetic fields. The magnetic compass is also a valid tool to measure variations in the local magnetic field, but it is a bit limited in how it can be used.
Perhaps the next item for consideration should be thermometers; especially the ‘point and shoot’ laser pointer variety already mentioned. Other than for cosmetic effect, these are of no use whatsoever, because they are not designed for the purpose for which they are used. These devices, snazzy and hi-tech though they look, are designed to take surface readings from, e.g., the bearings on running items of heavy plant, (industrial electric motors and pumps are a good example), or from in-service engine casings. They are in effect the modern equivalent of the optical pyrometers used to take the temperature of blast furnaces etc; they are NOT however designed to sample mid air temperatures in open spaces because they operate by bouncing an infrared beam of the surface to be measured, they are therefore totally useless for mid air readings. Conventional thermocouple (T/C) or resistance thermometer (R/T) ‘probe based’ digital thermometers (and even mercury or alcohol in glass devices, although a little slow) are exactly what are required for this purpose. One must then ask, ‘What is the significance of a temperature drop/increase and does it indicate the presence of ‘spirit’? Once again, although this may sometimes be the case, any answer (yes, I do have one based on the laws of thermodynamics) is entirely hypothetical.
The use of various types of voice recording devices serve the purpose of acting as ‘instant notebooks’ to record passing thoughts and impressions, with the additional advantage of serving as a possible recording medium for alleged electronic voice phenomena (EVP). I am pretty neutral on this aspect of the subject and have heard good arguments both for and against its validity, however; in general, voice recorders do make life much easier. Cameras of all sorts are vital for investigating and recording the multitude of phenomena attributed to ghost-hunts, but great care must be taken in interpreting the images captured, especially on digital cameras both still and video. It is these two methods that, in the main but not exclusively, appear to capture images of so called ‘energy vortices’, ‘spirits’ and ‘entities’, but especially alleged ‘orbs’. Sure, I have managed to photograph orbs time and time again on my own investigations and captured some truly astonishing images; but what does this mean? If they are not light reflected from dust/moisture, are they purely a feature of the technology used in the cameras or are they something else. Once again in spite of some breathtaking images much is hypothetical and contextual.
Night vision equipment does make some aspects of vigils a bit easier but, once again, are of dubious use in determining anything truly ‘paranormal’, I have yet to hear (or see) anything, other than ‘orbs’ actually caught by using these somewhat bulky devices. Should anything actually be seen like physical movement in total darkness perhaps, how does one interpret it? Well, although the darkness is total from our standpoint it is not total darkness, because, although these devices will function unaided in very low light situations, there is always the presence of the infra-red illumination unit required to allow it to function in complete darkness, unless of course one has access to the latest generation (is it the fourth now?) of these devices. These evidently use the heat from bodies and do not require the use of an illuminator. But if using one of these then how would an inanimate object be seen since it does not have a heat signature greater (or less) than the ambient temperature.
If an entity was seen, then does this indicate that it generates heat or cold and if so why? Before leaving this aspect of the ‘investigators arsenal’, I should say that I have seen moving images taken at a séance using infrared cameras; they appeared to show entities emerging from the abdomen of the medium. They also appear to show entities moving very quickly among the people seated in the circle. This itself is most unusual as most good physical mediums currently operating refuse to allow ANY form of illumination at the séances, evidently ‘spirit’ is inhibited by the presence of light. Is this a factor of the frequency of the illumination interfering with the frequency at with the entity exists? As for the other pieces of kit, the torches, notebooks and pencils are probably the most practical and useful non-technical items used on a regular basis.
Conclusion
On the face of it measuring and recording devices are fine, but be aware that they are not infallible and are open to misinterpretation. There is no doubt that the client is most impressed when a team arrives brandishing a van load of expensive equipment, but, as we have seen it is of limited use. The best items by far are the senses we were born with…plus of course the elusive and unfortunately ephemeral ‘sixth sense’ that we also possess, but in most cases through atrophy, are unable to use. The best person to take along on cases is a good and reliable medium; they are worth their weight in gold and save hours of waiting around in draughty buildings. OK, as a social exercise vigils are fine but achieve little, to get results one really needs a catalyst, something that will ‘shake things loose’ and that is when a good medium is paramount.
Finally, in some circumstances, especially when confronting what we think of as the supernatural, electronics and gadgets are no substitute for natural human senses; this is why the human brain is infinitely superior to any computer in existence today. The reason for this is simple, computers can only do what they are told, as yet (fortunately) they are not intuitive nor are they capable of original thought. We, as biological machines, exist in a given part of the EM spectrum, and our invisible companions in another and apart from highly exceptional circumstances we will never meet. Machines and devices can indicate that the flux of radiation that surrounds us is permeable and that, just perhaps, other beings can manipulate it to their advantage. However, to rely on these objects as some sort of philosopher’s stone that indicates the presence of the dead is sheer nonsense, and the sooner we realise this the better.
©2009 Brian J. Allan
***
Other articles from the March 2009 Newsletter
by Ellis Taylor
A supernatural encounter in a Western Australian forest.
by Ellis Taylor
The possession of John Ritchie (Sid Vicious)
Signals from the Void
Ghosthunting and the suitability of electronic measuring devices
©2009 Brian Allan
Any thoughts expressed in any articles on this website are the writer's personal views - unless otherwise stated, or implied. All links and articles are provided for your personal consideration and do not indicate Ellis Taylor's agreement with, or support for, all of the material they present.
Visit the
for the latest articles, news and fascinating insights
CALLING
ALL
RESEARCHER/AUTHORS
AT
ALBION EDITORIAL
WE SPECIALISE IN THE SUBJECTS OUR MAINSTREAM RIVALS WON'T TOUCH.
Whatever your subject matter, our specialist researchers will work with you to hone and improve your material, at a highly affordable cost.
For more details,
call Ben on 07982 022261
or email bcfairhall@gmail.com
References available
Books by Ellis Taylor
For readers who would like to receive occasional news on new articles, updates, conferences, special offers and other stuff please click on the icon above to subscribe.
Books by Brian Allan
