Air Ion
Counter: This is an
expensive piece of equipment and it
is used to measure the amount of
positive and negative ions in the
area. Ghosts can create a lot of
positive ions because they give off
high amounts of electromagnetic
discharges.
Baby Powder:
People have used baby powder to try
to get ghostly footsteps or
handprints. If the ghost has a habit
of moving an object or pushing it
around, you could sprinkle it with
baby powder to see if hand prints
appear.
Barometer:
Ghost investigators have tried using barometers
during investigations. Some believe that paranormal activity can affect
barometric pressure.
Cameras: Any
camera will do, but most paranormal
investigators seem to feel that 35mm
cameras are less likely to cause
false anomalies in photos.
35mm cameras also have the advantage
of having a negative, which can also
support the possibility of a real
ghostly capture on film.
Remember to remove any camera
straps, to avoid them getting into a
photo accidentally. Also be
sure to tie back long hair (or
better yet, pin it up) to avoid it
getting into the shot. Be
careful of how you hold your camera
to avoid getting your fingertips in
the photo.
Color film is fine to use, but some
researchers have gotten good results
using black and white film and
infrared film. Be forewarned
however, that infrared film is
very sensitive as well as
expensive. 400 speed film
seems to be the most commonly used
for capturing ghosts or spirits on
film. Don't forget to take
along extra batteries and rolls of
film. Make sure that you cover
all your battery needs when packing
extra batteries, too. Not all
equipment uses the same type of
battery. A tripod can be very
useful to bring along, if you don't
mind carrying the extra equipment.
A camera mounted on a tripod helps
to insure that your camera is as
still as possible when taking
photos. A timer is better,
because you won't even have to
chance moving the camera when you
press the button to snap the shot.
When you have your film developed,
be sure to tell your developer that
you want all the shots on the
roll returned to you, including the
"bad" ones. I've even gone so
far as to tell them that it's for
paranormal research. But if
you're uncomfortable with that, tell
them it's for a school photography
class project. It works, too.
Candles: A few candles
are a good idea to have as backup in
case your flashlights and
batteries fail. Be sure the
candles are of a kind that have a
wide base and can be set down so
that your hands are free. To
be on the safe side, buy waterproof
matches or a waterproof container
for your matches. Both of
these items can be found in Camping
or Military Surplus stores.
Cell Phone:
Don't leave home without it.
You don't want to be waaay out in
the middle of nowhere in some
cemetery when an emergency happens
and not be able to call for help.
Make sure that someone in your group
has a cellphone. If it's not
possible to have a cellphone, then
please try to find investigations
that aren't out in the middle of
nowhere for your own safety.
And if you are going out to the
boonies, make sure that someone at
home knows where you'll be.
And if you can, make sure that
there's at least one other cellphone
in your group in case one fails for
some reason.
Compass:
Some investigators will use a
compass, because a compass can be
affected by electromagnetic
energy, indicating the presence
of a ghost.
EMF Detector:
EMF detectors are widely used by
Paranormal Investigators.
They're normally used to check for
leaks in microwave ovens, but it was
discovered that they seem to be able
to pick up the fields generated by
ghosts. There are various
types of EMF detectors, and they
vary in price.
Extra
Batteries: Don't forget
them. 'Nuff said. :)
Flashlights:
It's a good idea to pack several
flashlights. Not only do
batteries fail, but so do bulbs.
It's nice to have a spare for a
friend, too. It's also a good
idea to clip your keys to your belt
loop, or put a flashing light on
your keys. You don't want to
lose your keys out in a dark
cemetery!
First Aid
Kit: Take along a first
aid kit in case someone get injured
on the investigation.. Cemeteries,
fields and abandoned buildings can
be hazardous in the dark!
Headsets or
Walkie-Talkies: These can
provide you with a way to stay in
touch with other investigators in
your group.
Headsets have the advantage of
keeping your hands free to do other
things, like take photos.
Map:
Always a good idea,
especially if you're in unfamiliar
territory.
Motion
Detectors: Usually used
in tandem with cameras, they pick up
any kind of movement in a room,
triggering the camera to snap a
shot.
Night Vision
Scopes: These scopes seem
to be able to pick up ghosts in an
infrared field, similar to infrared
film. Some investigators swear
by them.
Notebook and
pen: Use these to record
information about your
investigation. It's a good
idea to have such information as
location, who was present, date,
time, and weather conditions.
It's also a good idea to have them
along to write down events as they
happen, instead of trying to recall
them later on.
Tape Recorder: A
tape recorder can be used for
recording EVP, or Electronic Voice
Phenomena. Here are some tips
for getting a good recording:
1: Set
the recorder in a quiet area away
from windows. If set by a
window, they will pick up any sounds
coming from outside (cars, people,
etc), even if the window is closed.
2: Use
a recorder that has an external or
plug-in microphone. An
internal or built-in microphone will
record the whirring sound that the
gears of the recorder makes. Try to
buy a small one, not a bulky, heavy
one. Carry extra tapes, and
only use brand new, unopened tapes.
Never reuse tapes.
3: When
you first start recording, say the
date, time, and place that the
recorder is located. Say this
in a normal speaking voice, so that
your voice is easily identified on
the tape. After that, try not
to speak when in the vicinity of the
recorder, or better yet, go
elsewhere while it records an empty
room. Ghosts are oftentimes
difficult to hear on tape, as they
usually make faint sounds.
4: If
you must speak around a tape
recorder while it's running, do so
in normal voices. Ghosts
usually speak very softly, and if
you're whispering, it will be hard
to tell if it's you or a ghost.
5: When
reviewing your tape, play it back at
home in a quiet room. You may
have to turn the volume up, but I
would recommend that you listen to
it once at a lower volume, in case
there is something sudden and loud
on the tape. Our ears don't
always hear ghosts on
investigations, and tape recorders
can catch some surprising things.
You may need to replay an softer
voice repeatedly, until you can
figure out what it's saying.
Ghosts don't have vocal cords, so
they can't speak as clearly as we
do.
Thermal
Scanner: This measures
temperature changes in a specific
area. Ghosts need to absorb
energy that's around them in order
to materialize, and there will be
temperature changes as a result of
this. These areas are usually
colder than the surrounding area,
and referred to as "cold spots",
although there are rarer cases of
"hot spots" as well. A Thermal
Imaging scope is usually used along
with the scanner, and it will allow
you to see the exact shape of any
temperature anomaly.
Watch:
Great for keeping track of time as
well as for documenting what time
events occur.
Windchimes: Some
researchers recommend using small
metallic windchimes in an
investigation, especially where
breezes are felt. Photos can
be snapped when the windchime alerts
the investigators.
Ziplock
Baggies: These can be used to
collect evidence. It's not very
often that you find physical
evidence but sometimes you get
lucky. Ziplock baggies are
recommended because they will seal
tight, insuring against any leakage.
