Guidelines

The difference between a ghost hunt and an investigation 

     Many other organizations believe a ghost hunt and an investigation are the same thing, but G.H.O.S.T.S. does not support that view.  G.H.O.S.T.S. feels that ghost hunting and investigating are two separate elements, which are a series of phases within the research process to perform a successful case.  If the location has already been established and documented to be haunted, then a ghost hunt is not required -- you know they are there! 

     But what if the locale has no reported history of a haunting and you have a gut feeling that it is?  This is the first phase of any case that you will perform, the ghost hunt.  Within this step you are going to try and find enough evidence that will support the theory of an active haunting and the need for further research.  If the decision has been made to research further, then you have now entered the second phase, the investigation.  During this phase, you will gather all of the information need to determine the nature and status of the haunting.  You will need to know and witness the phenomena itself, what brought about the activity, the type of entity you are dealing with, and what actions and precautions should be taken to approach the situation. 
 

Before the investigation 

     Check out the area in daylight so you are familiar with the layout.  Look for dangerous places and obstacles that you will not be able to see in the dark.  Look for no trespassing signs, and make sure your not. You can obtain permission from many owners and or caretakers.  We will often notify the local police that we will be in a graveyard taking pictures so they are aware of our presence.  If you are asked to leave, do so immediately! Find out all you can about the history of the site.  Newspapers, town historians, the Internet, and books can be helpful in finding folklore or hard facts about the site. 
 

More helpful hints and G.H.O.S.T.S. guidelines for an investigation 

• Make sure you bring ID. (drivers license) 
If the police question you , you can provide information about who you are. 
• Never go to an investigation site alone. 
If you get hurt, who would get help? A team of three is recommended. 
• The best times are from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. 
Most people are asleep at this time so there is less traffic and less “hustle and bustle”, you are able to concentrate on the investigation more. 
• A written log of events should be produced. 
If you don't then you really don't have much research information. An example of this is one investigator gets an EMF reading that's high and never writes it down.  Another investigator takes a picture of the same area but is not aware of the reading and obtains an anomalous image.  Without that EMF reading the picture is worth less in evidence value. Many investigators use a pocket recorder. 
• Be extremely cautious when performing EVP experiments. 
If you sneeze or cough, note it. We wouldn't want your sneeze to be confused as a ghostly voice! Use a brand new cassette for each investigation- do not record over anything. If you do, you could get an audio double exposure! Try and use a recorder with a detachable microphone, so as not to pick up the machines noise. 
• Do not conduct investigations in poor weather. 
Reschedule an outdoor investigation if it is raining, snowing, or there is visible fog present. 
• Do not smoke on the investigation site. Do not drink, or use drugs for obvious reasons. 

• Keep an open mind. 
Many investigators believe that a negative mind will drive spirits away, after all how would you feel if someone was in a bad mood?!! 
• Make sure you let someone outside of the group know where you will be and what time you will return. 

 More guidelines of an outdoor investigation 

•  Decide who will be responsible for each piece of equipment. Do not load film or tapes yet. 

• Walk around the area to get a feel for the surroundings. Log in your start time and weather conditions and any other relevant information. You can also set up stationary equipment at this time. 

• Now you may open your film and load your cassettes. Be sure to note anything unusual that happens. Note temperature readings, visual sightings, strange sounds, feelings and emotions.  Investigators will compare notes and look for similarities in readings and feelings in certain areas or at certain times. 

Photography guidelines 

Use 800 speed 35 mm film when taking pictures.   Black and white film works well also. If you are an experienced photographer, you may want to use infrared film, which also has had excellent results in the past. 

Make sure you note any lights in the area. You don't want to confuse a streetlight with an orb! 

Clean your Lens regularly. 

Remove camera straps and tie hair back so not to be confused with a vortex. 

Be careful of reflective surfaces. Mirrors, polished grave stones, and windows could alter the reputation of the photo. 

Be conscious of your breath in cold weather situations. 

When getting film developed, let them know to print all frames! They may not print pictures that to them look damaged, when actually you have captured an anomaly! 

Get double prints. One for the G.H.O.S.T.S. and one for the personal investigator.