Paranormal Investigation 101: Debunking Claims of the Paranormal
STEP ONE: Get a detailed account from any witnesses.
When asking questions you should know certain information, that is why we always recommend the client begin a journal for their paranormal experiences. The journal should include the date, time, percipients, feelings, and detailed accounting of the actual experience. Each of these elements could be a piece to the puzzle when you are attempting to debunk the experiences. If the client doesn't have a detailed journal or didn't write it down, seek multiple points of view from those who have experience or knowledge of the location.
STEP TWO: Ask necessary questions to clarify the timeline of events and their validity.
I am going to be harshly honest, you will be able to determine if the person is serious about their paranormal case if they actually follow through with these questions and the interview stages. Many times when we ask a potential client for information we get crickets. Every single honest and serious client has and will follow through to make sure that you get the information you need to help them with their case. It is imperative that when the case is a private residence, you make sure that every detail of the case is CONFIDENTIAL. This can be one of their hang-ups about sharing the information and as they should, it is their home after all. (Note: Not everyone is honest and not everyone is actually interested in finding the truth about their "paranormal claims", some just want a dog and pony show, or to say they got to experience a paranormal team investigate their home. Beware that not everything is as it seems and it is your obligation to make sure that you and your team is safe.)
Here are a few things you need to ask and the reasoning behind it...
*Who was in the location? What was everyone doing? (People and Pets.) Kind of the like cause and effect, one persons actions can influence another's experience. Opening or closing doors, can cause other doors to open or close. Knowing where everyone was located and what they were doing could give a huge amount of information that would help with the debunking.
*How does the object, electronic device, etc. operate? (Doors, chairs, lights, appliances) Just as you would research and experiment with your paranormal equipment, you should know how the objects or devices may work that are involved with the paranormal claim. What would make a door shut that is open with no known force? What could make a light bulb blow? Why would the television turn on by itself? Are their sloped surfaces or tricky angles that make something move? There are reasons for each of these and it is your obligation to learn if they are a possibility to validate the claims. Remember that just because you find a potential reason, it doesn't invalidate the experience completely unless you can recreate it. (Note: This includes their phones or cameras. Things like orbs in photographs and video are almost always easily recreated. Beat a cloth surface and snap a photo with a flash, record the room in low light with a flash on for video.)
*What were the environmental variables at the time? Circling back to pets and the weather, these are also very important things to note. Humidity, wind, sun, heat, cold... Each of these can have an impact on the location and its contents. Doors sticking/ not closing all the way, materials changing temperature and making sounds, new drafts that aren't noted, and more. The client may not have an awareness of these (especially if they just moved in) and they may help to explain why they experienced something. Revisiting the documentation of pets, sometimes pets can be a condition or variable that the client doesn't have any awareness of during the event. Make sure that you track any movement of the pet and its habits so that you can rule out any influence they may have had without the client knowing.
*Is anyone in the home on any controlled substances, mood altering drugs, or have any illness? This is a TOUCHY subject. As I have said in many other blogs or posts, if anyone in the location does not have these under control it is best for the safety of everyone for them to get that under control before doing any type of investigation. These can influence their perception of events and it can make them unreasonable, not to mention they can be the cause of the activity. Remember, we are not there as medical professionals, we are there for the paranormal. Do not give any advice to clients in the medical capacity, but you should always recommend before ever asking any questions that anyone in the home in these situations should address them by a medical professional before approaching the case as paranormal in nature.
STEP THREE: Attempt to recreate any experiences in person in similar conditions.
Now obviously you are not necessarily going to have the temperature just right, the humidity just right, or all the variables exactly the same, but you will get a better idea of the possibility of natural events when in the location with similar conditions. If you are unable to form a conclusion or unsure of any of these items, call or request an expert to check things out. You should....
*Check to see if there are any electronic interference if it involves electronics. Use industrial grade meters or readers to find verifiable data. I recommend that you involve someone who is educated on electronics or electrical components to explain how these components work if you are not experienced. Always find someone who is an expert in their field to help validate the concerns.
*Check for any disrepair, rodents, or any type of infestation. You would be surprised at how often a locations disrepair or creepy crawlies can exhibit as something unexplainable. Whether you are attempting to debunk or are just collecting information for the case file, always look for these components. If you are unsure, call or ask a professional (construction or exterminator) to determine if there is a possibility of these being present.
*Check for any ambient sounds in the home or sounds that can be reproduced. I used to live in a home that you could hear the neighbors talking in their homes through my sink in the kitchen. Weird, but true. Even if it sounds crazier than a spirit chatting them up, rule out everything. Sounds have a habit of traveling and distorting, new residents could be unaware of how their new home sounds, weather or variable conditions like mentioned above could alter the normal sounds of the location, new devices or objects could have infrasound that wasn't there before. There are so many sounds that can be reproduced and explained, make sure you seek them out and record them.
*Check to see how things can be documented. Shine lights through areas involved, take pictures, record video and audio, and more. Creating a detailed profile of these anomalies that could just be a misinterpretation of natural events, could go a long way in helping a client feel safer in the location (especially if it is their home).
*Check and research any items involved that may be complex to understand their function. Remember that the layman (including you) may not understand how things work and the potential malfunctions they may have. Just because you think "it shouldn't do that" doesn't mean that it isn't possible. Call the manufacturer, look for forums, or ask experienced individuals in the field that the complex system was created to understand it's potential malfunctions.
*Check to see if any objects or devices may have been manipulated. I will say it over and over, not everyone is honest. There are a lot of people out there looking for their moment of fame or interest, be careful of what you believe.
When you are attempting to debunk any experience, you should always attempt to find facts. If that means you call in an expert in the field, you should. We are all not carpenters, electricians, or engineers. It is okay to get information outside the team but be careful of the information you provide if the case is confidential. Your goal shouldn't be to validate all the claims, but to seek truth. If you support the claims of the client and they continue to believe something is paranormal but can be explained by a natural event, you are not doing your due diligence. Always seek to calm a clients fears, not exacerbate them. And, don't entertain the frauds.
Rebecca Boyer
Co-Founder/ Case Manager
Antietam Paranormal Society
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