The Paranormal Investigators Toolbox

Cameras

You will need a 35mm digital camera with autofocus, and a flash. You don't necessarily need an expensive camera to get good results, and you can find one to fit your budget. 400 speed is good for indoors and 800 speed for outdoors.

Tips For Taking Pictures

- Log all you pictures by number in a case file

- Check out your surroundings, walk around the location for 20 minutes first. Make sure you not any other lights in the area so when you view your developed pictures you will not think a street light is an orb.

- Make sure to clean your camera lens regularly

- Do not smoke at the location, it can appear as mist. And you don't want to contaminate your evidence.

- Watch for dust or dirt being stirred up in the area you are photographing. They can give a false positive result.

- Tie back long hair

- Tie up or remove camera straps

- Don't bother with the view finder just point and click. This will help in the winter, you won't fog up the lens with your breath.

- Watch for reflective surfaces and make notes of them.

- Let everyone know when you are going to photograph so there are no double flashes.

- Be conscious of your breath in the cold weather.

- Ask the spirit to take its picture (what could it hurt!)

- Take pictures anywhere and everywhere. Especially if you feel something!

- If you see orbs, mist or sparkles take pictures a spirit may be near.

- Don't get discouraged if you don't get many or any pictures.

- Make sure to always have an extra memory card

You can also use motion sensor scouting cameras, when something trips the sensor it will take a picture.

Video and Audio Recorder

You will need a camcorder with night vision. You will also want to consider getting an IR light extender for your camcoder, this increases the distance you can film in total darkness from 10-100 ft.

Also invest in a wireless camera setup, you can hook it up to a laptop to view directly.

Handheld recorders are invaluable, if you use tape recorders use an external microphone. If you use a digital voice recorder you will not need an external microphone.

Tips For Recording Video and Audio

- You can set up cameras on tripods or walk with them.

- While you are recording ask questions to see if the spirit will reply

- Make sure you view or listen to the whole tape

- Review notes where you explained any noises that you heard, this way you know if you have positive evidence

EMF Detector

EMF (Electromagnetic Field detectors) are extremely useful in the field when used properly. These meters detect fluctuations in EM fields, the rangers are from 3 to 30 feet. This detector will be your tracking device for the spirit, it tracks and locates energy sources. Many different things will give readings on an EMF meter, what you are looking for are abnormal and unnatural readings that are tied to spirit activity. There are many different types of EMF detectors and you will surely find one in your price range.

Before using the EMF do a walk through of the site, take initial readings around all energy sources. Be sure to document these in your notes. To avoid getting a false reading eliminate as many electric energy sources as possible.

Temperature Sensing Equipment

This is another good tool for recording cold spots and other temperature anomalies. Each brand of thermometer will have different price ranges, and different temperature ranges. This is another piece of equipment that will easily be in your price range. If you purchase one with a laser beam you just point, shoot, and you get a reading. There are also dual air temperature (regular) and surface temperature (IR thermometer).

There are two types: regular digital thermometers and infrared non contact thermometers. When using this on an investigation it will aid you in detecting the presence of a spirit. Rapid temperature drops of 10 degrees or more could indicate the presence of a spirit.

You can purchase a USB datalogger to plug into your computer and program it to check the temp., humidity, and dew point at different time intervals. You unplug it and leave it at the location,, after you plug it back in to get a chart & graph of all the fluctuations. Prices start at $90.

Motion Detectors

This is an inexpensive tool to add to your toolbox. The detector gives off an audible signal when the sensor detects something with a large IR heat signature enters the area.

Other Useful Equipment

- Cell phone

- A compass - it can aid on an investigation when the need cannot come to a precise heading or spins erratically, it can signal a presence

- Candles and matches- batteries are often effected and run low during investigations. Be careful using candles around motion detectors, they will set them off.

- Hand held radios or Walkie Talkies - are very useful in large, outdoor areas. They are also great in an emergency situation, but they can also give off an EMF reading.

- Flashlights

- Extra batteries

- Plenty of extra tapes, memory cards, DVD's, etc.

- Holy water, blessed salt, religious pendants, other religious icons.

I am sure there are other items that you will personally want to add to your Ghost Hunting Toolbox.

April Denton

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