del.icio.usParanormal Investigation Equipment
The 4 most important things you will need are an EMF meter, a laser thermometer, a torch, and a camera.
Other useful equipment will include an MP3 recorder, nightvision camcorder, clipboard with flashlight attachment, beam barrier alarm, and a motion detector. More sophisticated investigation groups will also have 2-way radios, multiple cameras, FLIR (forward looking infrared) cameras, remote cameras, and remote sound and temperature recording equipment.
In order to analyse the recordings made you will need audio and video editing software on your computer so that you can play-back and edit your findings in order to spot anything possibly paranormal that you may not have noticed when making the recording(s).
We have our very own Paranormal Investigation Kit available for hire (terms and conditions apply) for those of you wanting us to organise a paranormal investigation with you.
EMF Meter
It is a common misconception that higher levels of EMF prove the existance of ghosts. In fact, it is known that EMF can emphasise your levels of expectation and make you more prone to thinking that some form of paranormal activity is taking place. So before beginning your investigation you should measure the normal levels of EMF present, and only suspect paranormal activity if these levels rise significantly without any "normal" reason such as the presence of electrical currents caused by electrical junctions, wiring, or transformers.
The latest, most useful type of EMF meter is the K2 or KII EMF meter. The K2 meter uses lights to indicate the energy instead of a needle, flashing and then finally staying light at the level found with the meter.
When the K2 meter is on, you can ask a question from the spirits, asking them to respond with 'flash once for no, twice for yes', or a similar method. If you get a response when setting up this method and it works, then continue on with further questions that can be answered in a yes or no form. The K2 meter has been reported as being tested not only by Chris Fleming, but by other paranormal investigators as well, and seems to be getting good reviews. If the K2 EMF detector can indeed communicate with ghosts in real time, this will be a small breakthrough in the paranormal research field.
Laser thermometer
When experiencing suspected paranormal activity, people often report a drop in the temperature. It is important to measure this accurately with a laser thermometer which will give a pin-point temperature reading on a given point. Make a note of the actual findings and write them down. In the cold light of day you may simply determine that the temperature drop was down to changes in the weather, or other environmental events.
Motion detectors and barrier alarms
Both motion detectors and beam barrier alarms can be setup to monitor for movement or the crossing of a passageway in remote locations. They provide an audible alarm when an event is triggered. This can be useful to monitor one or more rooms whilst you are in another room, for any such paranormal or other activity.
EVP recording equipment
An MP3 recorder can be used to make electronic recordings of the sounds around you or in another room. Sometimes EVP (electronic voice phenonema) may occur and will reproduce sounds recorded that may not have been heard at the time. These sounds may possibly be produced by paranormal voices.