Primary Equipment | |
Barometer Measures the atmospheric pressure on water, air or mercury. Standard barometers consist of a glass tube of about thirty inches in height, closed at one end with liquid mercury resting inside. High pressures force the mercury column higher while decreased pressures lower the mercury level. Higher temperatures can affect the density of the liquid mercury but the scale reflects this possible environmental deviation. One atmospheric unit is equivalent to 29.9 inches or 760 millimeters of mercury. Paranormal investigations have found roaming pockets of low-pressure that manifest and dissipate. These could be indicative of paranormal activity. | |
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Camera A device use to capture still images or a sequence of moving images. They operate with the light from the visible, infrared and other electromagnetic spectrums. A basic camera consists of a small opening at one end that allows light to enter, a photosensitive material for recording and a lens for focusing. Photographic film or plates were eventually outmoded through the use of a charge coupled device (CCD) or CMOS sensor. This technology is mainly utilized in most digital cameras used to capture and store images. It is important to recognize shutter speed, flash and brightness of the environment so that one can avoid possible false positives. | |
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Digital Recorder A device used to capture and encode audio into a digital format. Non-digital sources are processed using analog-to-digital (ADC) conversion while playback capability utilizes digital-to-analog (DAC) conversion. Basic digital recording interprets changes in air pressure, chroma and luminance values through time into a stream of numbers. These numbers represent the signal received and decoded into digital format. The most difficult technological hurdle involves simultaneously receiving signal data while coding these signals into digital bits of information. Recording two channels of audio at 44.1 kHz requires the digital recording software to handle 1,411,200 bps (bits per second). The number of bits representing any specific sound wave, otherwise known as the word size, affects signal distortion. If the word size is greater than 24 bits, it more than likely will overload the analog circuitry. Digital recorders cannot process anything higher than this current maximum, in regards to the signal-to-noise ratio. Additionally, if the sample rate is too low or high, the output will be corrupted. Digital recorders are a great investigative tool and usually lend the most credible form of evidence in the form of EVP. | |
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EMF Meter A scientific instrument used to measure electromagnetic field radiation. The two largest categories of EMF meter are single axis and tri-axis. Single axis measure only in one direction, tri axis meters can cover all three dimensions. The flux density or amplitude of emitted radiation over time represents a given reading. Electromagnetic fields are either AC (Alternating current) or DC (Direct current). Alternating current usually originates from man-made electronics while direct current occurs naturally through the earth's geomagnetic field. Ambient direct current can affect electronic equipment and disrupt their respective alternating field strengths. EMF radiation is measure in milligauss. A reading of 2-3 milligauss is usually a normal baseline. Meters are engineered to interpret alternating currents ranging from 50-60Hz (the range used by most US and European electronics). Meters that have higher input range and tri axis can be more expensive as they are more accurate. Field investigators use EMF meters to determine pockets of roaming electromagnetic energies that cannot be explain naturally or attributed to man-made electronics. | |
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Thermal/Infrared Imaging Thermography, or the science of infrared imaging, detects radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum (900-14,000 nanometers). The black body radiation law dictates that one can see an environment without the need of visible illumination because objects body temperatures emit radiation. Warm surfaces stand contrast well against cooler backgrounds. Used primarily in the military, security, engineering and fire-protection; thermal imaging is utilized to find people or a localized heat source. A thermographic camera use a CMOS focal plane array (FPA) instead of CCD sensors. Common formats of FPA technology: InSb, InGaAs, HgCdTe and QWIP. Newest technology employs un-cooled microbolometers FPA sensors. Two forms of thermography, passive and active. Passive shows features of interest stand out prominently against a cooler ambient background. Active displays more of a thermal contrast between differing surfaces temperatures. The ability to visualize temperature fluctuations remains a valuable tool for paranormal investigators. | |
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Night Vision This technology is made possible through two techniques: sufficient spectral and sufficient intensity range. Spectral range methods help the viewer become more sensitive to light. Enhancing the spectral range allows the observer to visualize near-infrared or ultraviolet radiation. Intensity range dictates that the human visual system can potentially perceive single photons under the most ideal of conditions; however, due to neurological and environmental noise, we are limited to a few tens of photons. Animals have better night-vision than humans due to a larger eyeball, lens, optical aperture, more retinal rods, tapetum lucidum and improved neurological filtering developed through evolution and biology. Intensity range finders utilize image intensifiers, a gain multiplication CCD, or other low-noise, high-sensitivity array of photo detectors. Night-vision is useful like thermal imaging because it allows field investigators to perceive their environment more completely while operating in near total darkness. | |
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Motion Detectors A device used that contains a physical, electronic or infrared sensor array that quantifies motion into a triggered response. Electronic motion transcribes motion into an electrical signal. Often, optical or acoustical changes are measured within the detector's field of view is required. Dual technology motion detectors can have a series of sensor arrays, measuring numerous forms of motion and produce a myriad of tiered responses. Passive infrared sensors look for heat fluctuations that cross the beam. Active ultrasonic sensors bounce pulses of low-frequency sound and measure the reflection off a passing object. Active microwave sensors send out microwave pulses and measure the reflection off the nearby object, similar to a police radar gun. These devices are great tools for both preventing intrusion into an uncontaminated site and to verify roaming EMF or temperature fluctuations. | |
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Thermometer This is a device that measures the temperature gradient using several key principles. A thermometer consists of a container/device, a temperature sensor (mercury bulb) and a scale/digital readout. Primary thermometers measure matter properties approximately without any unknown quantities. Secondary thermometers are more sensitive than primary but are still calibrated against a primary for fixed temperature readings. The official fixed point temperature scale (International Temperature Scale of 1990) extends from .65 K to 1358 K or -272.5 °C to 1085 °C. Principles of certain substances, namely air, expand and contract as the "temperature" changes. A substance, such as, mercury or water will rise and fall with this air fluctuation, creating a viable scale for measurement. Investigators use thermometers to record ambient air temperature and determine roaming temperature fluctuations. | |
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Humidity Meter This is a meter that gauges the amount of water vapor in a given parcel of air. Humidity is represented as absolute and specific. Absolute humidity is the quantity of water that exists in a particular parcel of air, measured in cubic meters. Relative humidity is measured as the ratio of partial water vapor pressure to the saturated vapor pressure at a specific air temperature. The dew point is the temperature at which water vapor saturates a given parcel of air. Simply put, the dew point equals one hundred percent humidity. Measuring the moisture content in ambient air will allow investigators to attributive photographic or video evidence to water vapor, mist or fog. Conversely, the higher the humidity, the higher energy potential for a given parcel of air. This can hypothetically influence our visualization of physical manifestations. | |
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Video Camera This device is used for electronic motion picture acquisition. Solid-state images sensors (CCD) and subsequent CMOS active pixel sensors. A video camera either feeds real time images directly to a screen as output or archives them for further processing through optical disc media or computer memory. Signals are converted from analog-to-digital and/or digital-to-analog before they are presented as output. LCD produce near real-time representations of optical input and allow various editing functions. Video camcorders are extremely useful for investigators in the aspect that this technology can best represent and record any personal experience. Various light filters also increase the sensitivity of these devices (infrared, night vision). | |
Supplemental | |
Evidence Bags These bags are used to collect possible evidence on-site and store for further analysis. Probable analysis includes testing for fingerprints, molecular residue and foreign substances. These bags can also be used for securing equipment or site prior to investigating. | |
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Control Object These object include anything that has interaction with a paranormal event. Control objects may constitute evidence but this is not always the case. Certain items may be placed or manipulated to induce paranormal activity. | |
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Communication Devices Communication with other team members during an investigation should be kept at a minimum; however, if the need arises or there is an emergency, investigators are best equipped. In extreme cases, walkie-talkies can accidentally pick up EVP when left on an open channel. | |
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Dust/Powders A specific control object used to document impressions. These substances cover a specific area, in order to capture physical prints from an unknown source. They can also inform/confirm an investigator if the perimeter of a closed off area has been breached, and contamination of the site. | |
Essential | |
Extra Batteries Investigations usually take six to eight hours so it is imperative to have extra batteries to maintain your equipment power levels. Also, there is the possibility of battery drain which occasionally occurs paranormally. It is best to prepare for every contingency. | |
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Film If not using a digital camera, it is important to bring adequate rolls of film. The more pictures you take, the higher probability you have of capturing something paranormal. If utilizing digital technology, bring along extra memory cards if you intend on taking thousands of pictures or groupings of pictures in continuous succession. | |
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Flashlights Whenever operating in a near total dark environment, it is a good idea to bring mobile light sources with you. Flashlights can help your team coordinate and sometimes find your way out of a confusing or overwhelming situation. They can also induce paranormal activity in rare cases. | |
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Natural Light Other mobile light sources include candles, torches, matches, etc. It is extremely unlikely and unwise to use natural light in place of flashlights for safety concerns. You don't want to accidentally drop a candle onto a homeowner's carpet, burning their place to the ground! It�s best to just use natural light in a controlled environment and/or for inducing paranormal activity. | |
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