Once in a while, I find myself visiting websites from other paranormal groups, normally to take a gander at the results they’ve collected and how they were able to capture their particular piece of evidence. After all, I’m a huge fan of the paranormal right? I am looking as a fan to appreciate what was captured on that incredible night of apparent paranormal activity. Yet, most of the time I find myself fairly disappointed. Why?

At this point, I think that most people already know why or hope that they do anyway! Orbs! Yes, the infamous orb and their amazing ability to showcase their existence for the camera. How incredibleis it that they seem to appear at night while someone is taking a photograph using their flash?

"Look!" "There must be seven over that headstone that’s erected from that small mound of dirt." "There are pink ones in the attic at that house just down the street!" "They’ve even showed up while we were outside on the dinner cruise"" If you magnify it, you can almost see a face…" The list and comments are endless and quite frankly, I am embarrassed. Is this what you are submitting to homeowners as the reason for their claims of paranormal activity?

While many more people feel the same, these photos are always present. It’s rarely disregarded as possible dust, moisture, dander, insulation, or any other explainable cause. It’s always "the orb". It doesn’t stop there either. After the photo, comes the assumption that this photograph is that of a spirit from Aunt Trudy that died 3 years ago to the day or it must be the 6 family members that were killed 2 blocks down.

What I want to know is this. Who or what ever drew the comparison of these ridiculous orbs to that of a spirit or ghost? How can anyone come to this conclusion?  What is the relation? It’s certainly not ’paranormal’ because the term "paranormal" in it’s most simple form means "above the normal". Any one of us can go out tonight right now kick some dirt around, walk by a pond, flop on the couch, and so forth while taking a picture with the flash on and capture multiple orbs. It’s normal, not paranormal.

Still don’t believe me? Due some due diligence and find out how these orbs appear close or distant, how the reflection works from your flash and how close the flash bulb is to your camera lens. How many more orbs have been shown since the compact camera was invented? Ever notice that these magical orbs do not appear often, if at all, from photographs taken in the 1940’s or 50’s? Go speak with a photographer and ask them their opinion.

The truth of the matter is that there may still be some slight curiosity as to why one photo may show nothing while the next photo taken immediately after shows 5 orbs, and the third doesn’t show any. However, it’s still not impressive and if you really want photos of a true orb, make sure it emits it’s own light. Think of a glow in the dark ball or a ball of light that floats or moves with a purpose. If not, I’m calling it dust… and so will many others, including the homeowner and thus risking your credibility.

Remember, it’s better to have captured nothing at all then to have captured something you hope others will believe.

 
- Bobby Hewitson
Paranormal Research Organization Of Florida (P.R.O.O.F.)
www.flghost.com

You may have heard the term ’residual energy’ or or a type of paranormal activity called a ’residual haunting’.  Many researchers believe that these types of scenarios are a recording of stored energy that is only to be played back during the right atmospheric conditions, a specific date, or a particular time of day.  It is this type of paranormal activity that is considered to occur regardless if someone was there to witness it or not.   Is it really possible that we can have certain areas that are able to conduct such energy while also having the ability to play it back?

Ok, so I might be playing somewhat of a devil’s advocate here, but what if residual energy doesn’t exist when it comes to a haunting? While it is true that energy cannot be created nor destroyed, what happens to it? Where does it really go? What if energy from the past was simply able to be moved and does not ’reside’ at its previous location or any location for that matter? How often do you hear about someone witnessing seeing an entity dressed in period clothing from the 1700’s? Why do we not hear sightings of people from the renaissance era? If the apparent energy cannot be destroyed, what happened to the ’older’ energy?  

Is it a stretch to consider for as moment that these spirits are still living their lives as they remember it, going about their regular routine unaware that we are witnessing their activity?  Aren’t we just as unaware of spirits that me be watching over us day after day?

- Bobby Hewitson
Paranormal Research Organization Of Florida (P.R.O.O.F.)
www.flghost.com

Once people learn that I am a paranormal investigator, it doesnt take them long to question me about the type of equipment we use when conducting an investigation. My first response is to let them know that there are few ghost gadgets that are predominantly used for paranormal investigating and that much of what is used are items that they are probably familiar with.

Gauges to measure the environment around us, such as EMF meters, tri-field meter and digital thermometers are used frequently in investigations.  EMF and tri-field meters give us the ability to measure the electro-magnetic field of an area.  Every person has an electro-magnetic field that surrounds them, while electrical equipment, appliances, and other things have an increased field that surrounds them. When measuring these fields for the paranormal, the investigator is looking for a constant reading.  If that measurement spikes without a justifiable cause, a theory is that an entity is drawing energy from these resources which causes this sudden increase in EMF activity. Both the EMF and tri-field meters can both serve as a way to disprove a reported haunting or may also give us an area where we may want to focus in the event of an unexplained spike. Digital thermometers are used to look for a sudden drop in temperature of the ambient air.  The theory is that an entity draws energy in order to manifest. Since heat is energy, this is the reason for the drop in temperature.

The most valuable piece of equipment that Paranormal Research Organization of Florida uses is the video camera.  This allows us to not only have the opportunity to capture visual evidence, but also record audio evidence.  Because of this we feel we can never have too many video cameras, P.R.O.O.F. currently has nine video cameras at our disposal.  We believe that its the video camera that will keep skeptics on their heels and investigators wanting more.

We also use digital cameras and produce a minimum of 200 still photos during an investigation.  While the information gathered from these photos is not as extensive as that from the video camera, the digital photographs allow us to capture evidence with instant results.  A still photo may also capture a variety of items such as mist or an apparition that may not have been recognized on video.  Careful examination of each and every photo is conducted in order to try and discern what is normal to that which may be paranormal.

Audio recording devices, such as digital recorders, are used in hopes of capturing an EVP or Electronic Voice Phenomena.  This is a voice or noise recording that is generally only heard during playback. Because these sounds can only be heard during playback, many people are skeptical about how it is possible to be in a quiet environment and not hear a sound, yet the sound was still captured These recordings are usually recorded in a range from 0 -300 Hz, while human speech is generally within 500-2000 Hz. Its important to note that the human voice has never been recorded below 300 Hz.

While these and many other types of equipment are used while conducting a paranormal investigation, it is my opinion that a commonly forgotten paranormal tool is YOU!  Sure, youve loaded up the cameras, tested your equipment, checked all of your batteries, and verified that the checklist is complete, but did you remember you?

At times, investigators spend too much time concerned with the operation of the equipment and rely solely as to what readings or captured evidence they may have obtained. By all means, the equipment is very important, but instinct and your senses are important as well.  It is important to not only become familiar with the environment that is being investigated, but to also become comfortable in it.

You may hear an voice or sound which can not be explained; see something unusual which is out of the norm; smell something unusual such as cigarette smoke in a non-smoking home; or may also have the experience of feeling touched with no one around you within arms length. All of these senses can easily remain unnoticed or ignored if not for being in touch with your senses.

Everyone is able to use their own senses in order to assist in capturing evidence or having a personal paranormal experience. If you are able to accomplish this, then you have the ability to really focus your attention with your senses.

Remember to use your senses...the commonly forgotten paranormal tool.

Bobby Hewitson
Paranormal Research Organization Of Florida (P.R.O.O.F.)
www.flghost.com

The Sci-Fi Channel's television series, Ghost Hunters (http://www.scifi.com/ghosthunters/) has been quite successful with Jason Hawes & Grant Wilson heading their team of paranormal investigators from their home town of Warwick, Rhode Island.  This team has investigated many different type of locations such as historical hotels, a battleship, a lighthouse, private residence's, and much more.

I have personally heard some criticism of the show, TAPS (off the air), and the professionalism of Jason and Grant. However, it is my opinion that the investigations themselves are done quite well, especially considering their use of more scientific methods.  They use instruments such as EMF meters, digital thermometers, video cameras, infrared, thermal imaging, etc.  Many hours are spent reviewing pictures, photos, and EVP's (electronic voice phenomenon).

Ghost Hunters also does very well in explaining TAPS procedures, beliefs, as well as paranormal terminology to someone that might be a first-time viewer of the show.

There are other television series such as Most Haunted (http://travel.discovery.com/fansites/mosthaunted/mosthaunted.html), which rely mostly on mediums, Ouija boards, table tipping, and other non-traditional practices. Their little use of any equipment and their over-used practice of using medium Derek Acorah keep even a paranormal investigator, such as me, quite a skeptic regarding any of their investigations. 

Upon reading their message boards myself, it is rumored that TAPS will be visiting St Augustine in January or February of this year. I think that visiting the nation's oldest city, in our great state of Florida, may just open some additional investigations such as Cassadaga, Key West, St. Petersburg, or Ybor City.

TAPS can be visited at http://www.the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com/, and is one of the best for information and reading of the paranormal.