Main Line Paranormal Investigators - Your Questions Answered

What constitutes the paranormal?

Any phenomena or experience that lacks a logical explanation.

How does one validate paranormal phenomena?

We first determine if the activity follows a set-pattern or occurs randomly. After which, we attempt to attribute natural processes to aforementioned phenomena. If we cannot determine a logical explanation, the occurrences are paranormal. This process may require numerous separate investigations before any assessment is finalized. It is important to note that nothing is conclusive in either sense.

What techniques are used?

Environmental conditions are recorded to develop a "base-line". We then attempt to discern a natural explanation for reported activity. During this process, we investigate both passively and actively. We either leave equipment on-site to review later or go out into the field to record experiences. Various techniques include: EVP sessions, photographic/videographic analysis, EMF analysis and environmental readings.

What specific equipment is used to detect paranormal activity?

The instruments we primarily utilize are digital voice recorders, digital photo/video, EMF detectors, motion detectors and environmental measurement devices. Other equipment is employed as it is procured or designed. We attempt to correlate the timestamp and environmental conditions during the recording of any audio, photograph or video we gather. This will both increase the quality of our evidence and add a level of creditability.

What is EMF?

The electromagnetic field (EMF) is a physical field produced by electrically charged objects. It affects all other charged objects in its vicinity. The field propagates through electromagnetic radiation and comprises of: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays. The field can be viewed as the combination of an electric field and a magnetic field. Depending on your perspective, it can be viewed as a smooth, continuous field, propagated in a wavelike manner or on a quantum level, being composed of individual photons.

How is an EMF meter/detector used in the field?

EMF meters fall into two categories: single-axis and tri-axis. Single-axis meters are cheaper and measure only one dimension of the field. Tri-axis is preferred because they measure all three axes simultaneously. Most of these meters measure the electromagnetic radiation flux density or the amplitude of any emitted radiation. Electromagnetic fields are either AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current). AC is usually from man-made sources and DC is emitted naturally from the earth's geomagnetic field. EMF meters measure this radiation in milligauss and will read 0 milligauss in the absence of a moving magnetic field. Most meters are calibrated to measure electromagnetic radiation between 50 - 60 Hz but other meters are more sensitive to frequencies as low as 20 Hz.

What is an EVP?

Thomas Edison first detected electronic voice phenomena (EVP) during the later years of his life. He professed to communicate with spirits with his newly invented voice recorder. Supposedly, spirits manipulate electro-magnetic fields to interact with the surrounding environment. Their interaction with the environment causes an electro-magnetic (EM) disruption. This disruption can create voices, previously imperceptible to human hearing. The proper placement of recorders in a noiseless environment is paramount to documenting this occurrence. The investigator can ask questions to draw out an intelligent response or simply leave his recorder in a remote location. There are three classifications of EVP: Class A, Class B and Class C. Class A: content is easily discernable. Class B: amplification and headphones needed to discern content. Class C: amplification, filtering and headphones needed to discern content with a measurable possibility of error. The importance of historical research is paramount to determine what words or phrases would trigger a response.

How are "cold spots" or drops in temperature indicative of paranormal activity?

Two prevailing thoughts explain these phenomena. Some believe paranormal activity draws energy out of the surrounding environment so it can manifest. This would explain battery operated devices failing, drastic drops in temperature/barometric pressure and a specific heaviness to the air. Others believe that this force itself embodies coldness and drops the temperature ephemerally. In any case, anomalous, free-floating cold spots are regularly experienced during any paranormal investigation. By themselves, they are just an interesting phenomenon unless one can correlate other evidence during their passing.

How does enhanced visual equipment aid investigators at catching paranormal activity?

Since the human eye perceives only a small sliver of the electromagnetic spectrum, digital audio/video is utilized to broaden their senses. This equipment can capture moments in great clarity and into the infrared range. Various filters can assist to broaden their range into the ultraviolet or infrared. Thermal imaging measures infrared radiation emitted by all objects (black body - radiation) and allows investigators to navigate in near/total darkness. Night vision allows the viewer to take advantage of non-visible sources of electromagnetic radiation (near infrared or ultraviolet).