Paranormal Investigation 101: Doing a Pre-Investigation Walk Through

There is only so much information you can gather from a potential client through phone calls and emails, so it can be really important to do a pre-investigation walk through a week to a few days before the investigation itself. While it isn't always possible to schedule a walk through, it is a great way to be fully prepared the day of the investigation. If you can't do it in advance of the investigation day, use this guide on the day of to do a walk through when you arrive. As with every step and stage of the pre-investigation process make sure that you are only gathering information and not offering any type of conclusions for the client. While you may have a hunch of what may be happening it is easy for the client to misinterpret your communications or even for the case to switch directions when new information comes to light. During the walk through make sure you present yourself and your team in a professional manner, the client is looking to you for help and I am sure they want to see a confident and knowledgeable team in their location. I am going to preface the rest of this blog by stating, if it seems unsafe or you have red flags, LEAVE.

SCHEDULING THE WALK THROUGH 

During your discussions with your client make sure to include the walk through as one of the protocols that is a standard procedure for every case. Give them a short run down of what will occur during the walk through. I always recommend asking the client to have any associates, family members, or friends that have experienced the paranormal phenomena attend so that they can be interviewed. Mention that you will be walking through the entire location, so they should have a plan for any areas that may be off limits. 

YOUR WALK THROUGH KIT SHOULD INCLUDE:

*Digital Voice Recorder

*Still Camera or Smart Phone

*Watch

*Compass

*Video Camera

*Notebook and Pencil

*Measuring Tape

*Multi-Field Meter

*Flashlight

*Thermometer

*Thermal Leak Detector (optional but recommended)

*Air Quality Monitor (optional but recommended)

*Carbon Monoxide Detector (optional but recommended)

*Radon Meter (optional but recommended)

RECORD AND PHOTOGRAPH THE WALK THROUGH

Don't forget to bring your digital voice recorder, a still camera, and maybe even a video camera. I always start my digital voice recorder at the beginning of the walk through to capture every detail of the conversation and interview we do with the client. I have actually captured a few EVP during our walk throughs (but that isn't the goal)! Not only will you have documentation for your planning or debunking, you also have proof of what was communicated to you in case the story changes or information is lost in translation. I would recommend having more than one person from the team doing the walk through, one to hold the recorder and one to take still pictures. You can use your phone for taking pictures (which is probably one of the only times I would say, use your phone) but do not use your phone for both audio and still photos. Pictures should illustrate the entire room from various vantage points, placement of objects, hotspot areas, and they should be used for posterity (for future interest in the case and how the location looked at the time of the investigation). A video camera can be used if you plan to do some debunking during the walk through. It is VERY important to record and document debunking processes so that they can be reviewed with the client when you do their post analysis case review.

WALK THROUGH THE ENTIRE LOCATION

While clients may have off limit areas, request to view these areas to make sure there aren't any electrical, hazardous, or variables that could contaminate the data you will be collecting during the investigation. I may be important to mention that doing a walk through too far in advance gives the client opportunity to change the location, request that nothing be changed until after the investigation. Every detail is important and moving items could disrupt the activity or even alter your investigation plan.

INTERVIEW THE CLIENT AND OTHERS

When interviewing the client and anyone who may have experienced the phenomena; ask the right questions which will help you to attempt to debunk, plan equipment set up, and form a general approach to the case. They may ask you questions that in an attempt force you to form conclusions you are not ready to give, let them know immediately that you cannot say until you and your team have reviewed all the data. During this process you may also get a lot of "legends" and history about the location, which is important when you are doing a historical write up prior to the investigation. Always, always, always validate any information that you get from the client regarding the history. If you can't find it documented in newspapers, court documents, or through historical societies; you should NOT use it for your investigation and you need to note that it can not be validated.

MAKE NOTE OF HOTSPOTS

While you are walking through, interviewing the client, and asking questions; make sure you are making notes of the hotspots. These can be spots that paranormal phenomena is experienced the most and areas that a psychic or a sensitive feels relevant. These areas should be evaluated, metered, and fully analyzed for possible natural conclusions; which in turn will lead to forming a plan to possibly debunk and recreate the experiences. Many hotspots are the areas that investigators use for their sessions during the investigation, however there may be more than meets the eye for these areas. 

MEASURE AND COLLECT DATA

While much of your data collection should be done during the investigation, it can be important to collect data while you are doing the walk through. It is important to note that you may not get similar opportunities to collect pertinent data, every condition and variable changes rapidly. If an area is a hotspot, an area with activity, or just an area that feels weird; take down some readings to determine if they can be explained or if they may be hazardous to your team. Note the list of optional but recommended equipment on the kit, these items could alert you to a larger problem than the paranormal.

ATTEMPT TO DEBUNK OR RECREATE

While you may not have a huge opportunity to do extensive debunking or recreate experiences, it may be important to see how things work prior to the investigation. This could allow you to get information and data on any objects, electronics, or naturally present variables that could have caused the events or experiences to occur. Make sure you check makes and models of any appliances or electronics so that you can check for any known issues. Document as you go.

MAKE NOTES OF SECURITY, SAFETY, AND OTHER HAZARDS

Before you even walk through the door, you are going to get an idea of whether the neighborhood or area of the location is safe. In this day and age, scope out the area before you ever take the case. When approaching the location and doing the walk through make notes of any safety hazards or disrepair that may be present. Take photographs, make detailed verbal notes with your recorder, and map out the areas with your paper and pencil. No matter what your safety is more important than anything, make sure that none of these security, safety or disrepairs could harm the team or the client. An important component to the initial questions you ask the client is mental health and substance abuse concerns. These components should be addressed by the client before even approaching the idea of a paranormal investigation.

GO OVER PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES

When you are gathering your supplies for the walk through, go ahead and gather your forms that may need to be signed by the client. Confidentiality waivers, liability waivers, permission to investigate, etc.; can be addressed before you begin the investigation. Once the forms are reviewed and complete, go over the investigation protocols and procedure. Times, who can be present, details about animals, your set up, how long you will be there, and your review process. It is important for the client to understand the importance to following any guidelines you may have and it is important for the team to adhere to the clients rules and goals for their case. 

In the end there is no such thing as too much information. Take as many notes and pictures that you can. Ask all the questions you can. When attempting to form a conclusion for a client, no detail should be left out. Make sure that you are doing your investigations safely!

Rebecca Boyer

Co-Founder/ Case Manager

Antietam Paranormal Society