| Protocols |
| By Ruth |
1. Always get permission to be on a property. If there are no signs, such as ‘no
Trespassing” or “Keep Out” then it is fair game. If you happen to find a sign while already
on the property, the investigation is over.
2. Always carry proper ID. Proper ID is a license and/or some kind of picture identification.
3. Always check out an area beforehand. This is either through a preliminary investigation
or a simple walk-through at the cemetery.
4. Always treat the owners/operators and their properties with respect, as if it were your
own. Conduct yourself in a professional manner during the investigation.
5. All equipment should be checked prior to leaving for the investigation, as well as when
you arrive at the location. This means you have plenty of fresh or charged batteries on hand.
6. Camera straps are removed or wrapped tightly around the hand and/or wrist.
7. Long hair is tied back or kept under a hat.
8. No perfumes or colognes are worn during investigations.
9. Photos and/or video taken in cold weather are done with your breathing in mind. Take
steps to insure you don’t snap a nice picture of your frozen breath.
10. Do not conduct outside investigations during bad weather. This includes rain, fog, snow
and during heat waves.
11. Photographs are not taken indoors if there is an obvious problem with dust. If you can
see it in the viewfinder, so can the camera.
12. Camera lenses are cleaned only at the beginning of a new roll of film or disk.
13. No whispering is permitted during recording sessions.
14. During these same recording sessions, make note of any external, natural noises. These
include trains passing by, motor vehicles, planes, dogs barking, etc.
15. Analog recorders must make use of an external microphone to eliminate noise from the
recorders internal gears.
16. All investigators are broken up into teams of at least two each. This is for safety as well a
having another person to witness an experience.
17. Evidence is not discussed with owners/operators u tile members can evaluate it first.
You don’t want to jump the gun, so to speak.
18. No smoking is tolerated during any investigation. If the investigation is going to be
exceptionally long, or an overnighter, then a designated smoking area will be assigned and
the investigation will break until at least 10 minutes after the cigarette has been
extinguished. This allows time for the smoke to totally dissipate.
19. No drugs or alcohol is permitted before, during or after an investigation. This is just
common sense.
20. During any private home investigation, it’s recommended that only two people (the
owners) be present. Any more than that can and will cause a disruption with the
investigation.
21. The most important guideline to follow is to arrive with an open mind. Arrive with the
idea that there may be something going on, but also understand that it could have a totally
natural explanation. You must decide for yourself.
Trespassing” or “Keep Out” then it is fair game. If you happen to find a sign while already
on the property, the investigation is over.
2. Always carry proper ID. Proper ID is a license and/or some kind of picture identification.
3. Always check out an area beforehand. This is either through a preliminary investigation
or a simple walk-through at the cemetery.
4. Always treat the owners/operators and their properties with respect, as if it were your
own. Conduct yourself in a professional manner during the investigation.
5. All equipment should be checked prior to leaving for the investigation, as well as when
you arrive at the location. This means you have plenty of fresh or charged batteries on hand.
6. Camera straps are removed or wrapped tightly around the hand and/or wrist.
7. Long hair is tied back or kept under a hat.
8. No perfumes or colognes are worn during investigations.
9. Photos and/or video taken in cold weather are done with your breathing in mind. Take
steps to insure you don’t snap a nice picture of your frozen breath.
10. Do not conduct outside investigations during bad weather. This includes rain, fog, snow
and during heat waves.
11. Photographs are not taken indoors if there is an obvious problem with dust. If you can
see it in the viewfinder, so can the camera.
12. Camera lenses are cleaned only at the beginning of a new roll of film or disk.
13. No whispering is permitted during recording sessions.
14. During these same recording sessions, make note of any external, natural noises. These
include trains passing by, motor vehicles, planes, dogs barking, etc.
15. Analog recorders must make use of an external microphone to eliminate noise from the
recorders internal gears.
16. All investigators are broken up into teams of at least two each. This is for safety as well a
having another person to witness an experience.
17. Evidence is not discussed with owners/operators u tile members can evaluate it first.
You don’t want to jump the gun, so to speak.
18. No smoking is tolerated during any investigation. If the investigation is going to be
exceptionally long, or an overnighter, then a designated smoking area will be assigned and
the investigation will break until at least 10 minutes after the cigarette has been
extinguished. This allows time for the smoke to totally dissipate.
19. No drugs or alcohol is permitted before, during or after an investigation. This is just
common sense.
20. During any private home investigation, it’s recommended that only two people (the
owners) be present. Any more than that can and will cause a disruption with the
investigation.
21. The most important guideline to follow is to arrive with an open mind. Arrive with the
idea that there may be something going on, but also understand that it could have a totally
natural explanation. You must decide for yourself.
| Bibliography |
| Biddle, Kennth- A guide to Paranormal Investigation (2007) Taylor. Troy-Ghost Hunter’s Guidebook: The Essential Guide to Investigating Ghosts & Hauntings (2007) |