How to Investigate a Haunted House
Ghost hunting is becoming increasingly popular. With the growing popularity of shows such as "Ghost Hunters," many amateurs are trying their hand at investigating the paranormal. If you are interested in investigating a haunted house or land, you will need to do some research beforehand. Make sure you have the necessary knowledge and equipment to conduct your investigation.
- Ask permission before entering the house. If the house belongs to you or a friend, then permission is easily granted. Do not enter a house without permission of the owner. This is trespassing and it is a punishable offense.
- Take a team with you. You should never investigate a haunted house alone. There is safety in numbers. Also, by having a team, you will have witnesses for any paranormal activity that occurs.
- Have proper documentation. Ask the current owner to thoroughly describe any paranormal activity that they have witnessed. Include background information when recording the stories. The time of day, weather, names of other people in the home and any other available information should be recorded. This information can help you establish patterns and assist in finding natural causes for the activity.
- Research the property. Some investigators prefer to do this after the investigation, while others prefer to do it before. Visit the local library and research the property, including the date of construction, past owners and any incidents that may have occurred in the house or on the grounds.
- Gather the necessary equipment and learn how to use it. At the very least, you will want to have audio and video recorders, as well as flash lights and note pads. More sophisticated equipment includes electromagnetic field (EMF) meters, laser thermometers, and night vision cameras. Before you begin your investigation, familiarize yourself with your equipment. Learn how to adjust the settings, change the batteries and change the tapes. Learn what settings the equipment needs to be on in order to work during your investigation. Test the equipment prior to beginning your investigation. Have extra batteries on hand.
- Complete your investigation. Most investigators prefer to investigate at night. Theories state that paranormal activity is greater at night. Many teams will disconnect any electronics that are not necessary to their investigation and turn off all interior lights. This creates less interference in electronic evidence, such as video or audio recordings. Gather as much evidence as possible. Ask questions and allow plenty of time to record an answer.
- Review your evidence. Carefully screen all of your video and audio recordings. Rule out any possible natural causes. If you are left with evidence that has no obvious natural cause, it might just be evidence of a haunting.