One aspect of paranormal investigation is the attempt to rule out natural phenomena as cause for events labeled as supernatural.  However, there is a greater issue at stake here: ruling out investigator assumption that an event, such as an investigation, will always be in a haunted location.

Television shows have teams that come in to locations to prove or disprove a haunting.  Often, these locations have a history of lore that links them to a ghostly phenomena or at least a violent/mysterious past.  For the average team, however, working with the public, these venues may not always be accessible.  This is why the SPIRITS of St. Petersburg has an active call out for non-haunted and haunted locations to host investigations.

Bridgeview is one example of a venue that was not haunted.  Only slight anomalies were reported by the homeowner.  These included:

*The family dog barked at 3 a.m. on some nights.  Having met the pooch in question, however, we noted that it was a toy breed and very active.  While this can be one sign of haunted phenomena, the timing could relate to a scheduled event that the homeowners did not notice.  Not enough information was supplied for this to really reach the realm of the supernatural, but after observation of the dog and when added with the other small amounts of reported phenomena it did not amount to “paranormal.”

*Her mother heard herself called by the homeowner (“mom”) when no one was there.    However, mothers and children have often reported hearing each other calling when no one speaks; perhaps this could relay to a form of ESP, memory regurgitation, or other such phenomena.  A single isolated event in a decent amount of time did not necessarily equate to a ghostly presence. 

*Lastly, the homeowner saw a box of laundry detergent fall on its own.  This is the only event that cannot be easily explained, though a number of factors could have caused the detergent to fall.  Had other items moved, the detergent repeatedly been moved despite attempts to replace it, or other phenomena been reported then this would seem more supernatural than a one-time phenomena.

Ruling these out as supernatural, the purpose of the exercise, then, was to evaluate the SPIRITS’ investigation processes.  This included noting how well the contact who set up the investigation maintained confidentiality without leaking any information to the team, to determine what team sensitives found on the location and how accurate that data was, and to see how equipment reacted on the site.

These were the conclusions:

The team did not report any “leaked” information from the contact.  The investigation continued in a normal manner with sensitives reporting information, orbs captured on film, and EVPs attempted.  The investigation ran a normal length of time and SPIRITS members concluded that the house was not haunted.  They seemed pleased when, at the end of the investigation, the homeowner and then the contact confirmed this.

Sensitives did attempt to pick up data.  Only minor bits of information were detected, though it could have been relevant to the family’s daily lives.  The most interesting aspect was the name “Roosevelt” that one person picked up on, only to learn that the homeowner’s husband, who was not present at the time of the investigation, was reading a book on FDR.

Orb images were produced by digital cameras.  The orbs were few and far between, but one, at least, showed the typical signs of what many orb believers would mark as paranormal.  Yet, the homeowner did have a dog, cat, and other small pets in the home and orbs captured were likely dander.  It continues to build the argument that standard round white orbs, even with texture and which appear self-illuminating, may not be valid proof of a haunting.

EMF was detected and the meter did spike even without a presence.  Investigators did attempt to unplug miscellaneous electronics and requested that the homeowner turn off her satellite dish.  The spikes slowed but were still produced.  Additional study into EMF spikes and what produces EMF was later conducted and the team did add natural EM meters, as well as a variety of other brands of EMF detectors, to the equipment roster to help reduce false positives.

EVPs did produce one odd sound of tapping, but even during the investigation and before the team was told that the house was not haunted the EVP was ruled out as natural phenomena.  This took some time but it was good to see that even during an investigation EVPs recorded on computer could be ruled out as natural.

Overall, the exercise is well worth doing.  While it does not produce an exciting investigation report it does help the team to monitor its own behavior and modify its techniques.  This can only lead to improved investigations and more accurate results for the future which is the desired outcome. This allows us to provide better service to our clients and that, after all, is the end goal.

Bridgeview

9-9-06

HOME

Bridgeview Drive

Debbie’s Report 09-09-2006

Environment:  Storms with lots of lightning very warm and humid.

Team Members:  Brandy, Denise, Mary, Evie and myself

Equipment:  Fujitsu LifeBook with WavePro recording software, Casio Exilim 6.0 camera with image stabilization (new), ExTech IR Dual readout thermometer with probe (new)  and SPIRITS Team IR thermometer, note pad and pen.

Arrived at the investigation location carpooling with Evie, Brandy and Mary. 

Investigation site was a 4-bedroom (one room being utilized as an office) split plan pool home.  Pets on location: 3-dogs, 2-cats, 1 guinea pig and one turtle.  The two central AC units were running then turned off by request.  The homeowner and her mother were present at the start of the investigation but her mother was only present for a moment.

Brandy opened the investigation in the usual and customary manner.

Temperature remained a constant 79-80 degrees throughout the home.  Since the Extech IR thermometer was a new piece of equipment, I made comparison readings in each room of the home using the experienced team IR thermometer that read a consistent 2 degrees higher for the entire investigation. EMF registered .3 on the 0-3 scale.  The homeowner had both wireless Internet and satellite TV that she disconnected to reduce EMF emissions.  The lightning from the storms continued throughout the investigation and did affect the EMF meter to some extent. 

After the silent walk through we examined our photos and stated our impressions.  Denise did not pick up any psy-impressions nor did any member of the team relate any odd, negative or unusual “feelings” Multiple orbs were photographed in the kitchen.  However, it must be noted that the guinea pig gage was placed up against the kitchen counter and that could explain the orbs in this one area.  I did capture orbs in the 2nd blue bedroom but this is a new camera, which is still undergoing the trial and error phase for false-positives.  This camera seems to be sensitive to any reflections of the flash from photographed object producing false positive orbs.  However, one photograph taken in the kitchen has a nice appearing orb in it, though the combined evidence indicates this orb to be a false positive, and I have included it for the website.  While investigating the garage there were 3 very strong EMF spikes into the .4 - 1.2 range.  I attempted to see if any temperature changes existed at the spot of the stronger EMF spikes, there was not change. The garage temperature held at 87 degrees.

Denise took the time to compare lightning flashes to EMF spikes and there appeared to be a correlation, mostly dependent on closeness of the lightning flash.  However, we did agree to attempt EVPs in the kitchen area.  I’m pretty sure that the 3-pizzas that was generously supplied by the homeowner and waiting for us in the kitchen had absolutely nothing to do with our decision to do EVP work in that location.  EVP work began as soon as everyone had a pizza slice. 

EVPs:  Denise led the EVP questioning.  There were some EMF spiking to questions asked but I am not convinced that is was anything other then the lightning flashing around this investigation area.  The dogs were allowed to run freely run around during the recording session and their nails were clicking on the hardwood floors, lap water and one of the cats meowed twice.  These sounds were all vocalized during the recording session to minimize false positives during playback.  Except for some strange clacking sounds EVP was negative.

Homeowner Statement:  The homeowner related to the team that she was the first owner of the new home and had been in the home for approximately 1-year.  She explains that around 2:00-3: a.m. one of her dogs will begin barking in the kitchen area and also will bark at the outside area.  Back in February of this year, the homeowner stated that, again around 3:00 a.m., a large box of laundry detergent was “thrown” off the top self in the laundry room, denting the new washer/dryer and making a mess.  Once when the homeowner’s mother was in the house alone, she thought she heard her daughter call out loudly to her.  However, the daughter was not home at the time of this incident.  The homeowner also stated that she has a “bad” feeling when she enters the laundry room. 

Impression:  This pleasant home has a very welcoming and friendly inviting feeling to it.  The dog barking could simply be that this brand new residential development has encroached into natural Florida land and what is left of natural Florida with various wildlife such as wild boars, deer, opossums and raccoons crossing on a much used nature trail might elicit the dog to bark at a given time in the early morning hours.  I could not find an explanation for the laundry soap incident and can only speculate a natural event though I believe it was a natural event.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Brandy's report:

9-9-06

Stormy weather (lightning, etc.)

Investigators present:  Brandy, Denise, Mary, Evie, Debbie

Homeowner, 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 turtles, 1 guinea pig

Unless otherwise noted, the EMF meter is set on the 0 - 3 scale.

Sitting room/computer room:

80 degres

.3 EMF

Some flux in the meter, but we determined that it was caused by machinery in the room.

Bedroom 1:

79 - 80 degrees

1.5 EMF (spikes) likely cuased by a satallite dish in the room.  Stopped when unplugged.

Living room: 

.2 EMF

80 degrees

2 slight spikes, .2 - .4 EMF

Bedroom 2:

.2 EMF

78-79

Slight flux.  Orb image on digital.

I discovered that my digital camera has the capacity to work in black and white, negative, and through filters.  I proceeded to use the black and white filter and the negative setting.

Kitchen:

EMF near dog dish, stove, microwave, etc.

80 degrees.

Bedroom 3:

.2 EMF

80 degrees

Satallite feed, not picked up by EMF (uncertain as to why other rooms had a response when the dish was unplugged).

Bathroom 2:

.2 EMF

77 - 79 degrees

Dining Area:

.2 - .4 EMF

81 degrees.

Garage: 

.2 EMF, but with three signficant spikes (.4 - 1.2 EMF).

85 degrees

Discussion:

Brandy:  Flux in bedroom 1, 3, and garage.

Orbs showed up on film in bedroom 2.

Evie:  Orb in kitchen.  House had a comfortable feeling.

Denise:  Ntohing, no family, friends, etc.

Debbie:  Temp constant 79 - 80 degrees.  New camera with multiple shots; 2 light wall anomalies; orbs showed up in 1st bedroom.

Group decided to try an EVP in the kitchen.

Questions:

1)  Is anyone here?  (EMF beeped)

2)  Name?

3)  Last year that you remember?

4)  Live in area?

5)  How old when you died?  (EMF spike.  Denise heard the term "Roosevelt")

6)  Related to the homeowners?

7)  Try to let yourself be known?

8)  Move things?

11)  Like animals in the house? (2 beeps)

12) Related to wife?

13)  Related to husband?  beep.

14)  Message you want to pass on to homeowner?

Reviewed the recording.  Heard odd tapping sounds; tested for EVP possibiities (finger nails clicking, dog toe nails, keyboard sounds, etc.)  Determined it was likely a natural cause.

Homeowner discussion:

Mostly a test home.  Has become interested in the paranormal and noticed that after investigations in Feb. activity picked up.

Activity included:  One of her dogs barking at the outside every morning at 3 a.m.

A box of laundry detergent falling/thrown off the shelf in the laundry room.  As a seperate event, homeowner's mother heard the homeowner call "mom" from the laundry room, no one there.

Did acknowledge that her husband's father passed and that she felt the two were close.  It may have been the "Roosevelt" reference.  Her husband also was reading a book on Roosevelt.

_________________

Mary's report
September 9, 2006, 6:00 PM

5 Spirit Members met at a home in Brandon to investigate possible paranormal activitiy. We knew nothing about the reason for the investigation request. This is a large home with lots of pets, 3 dogs, a cat, a guiney pig, & a turtle. There are no children in the home.There are no electrical lines or electrical transmission lines around the house.

We officially opened the hunt and did a walk through of all the rooms. When we met to discuss our findings and check our pictures, we had no unaccounted EMT spikes, no unusual temperature fluctuations and our physic had no feelings of any current activity. All of us had a few pictures with possible orbs, mostly in the kitchen area.

We went back to the kitchen area and set up the EVP equipment in hopes of getting a voice recording. Nothing significant. I also took more pictures of the areas where I found orbs in the first pictures.

At closing, the home owner told us something had been thrown off the top shelf of the laundry room and one of the dogs barks at exactly 3:00 am. a lot of nights. Other adult members of the family had heard conversation in the laundry room when no one was there.

In conclusion, we could find nothing out of the ordinary. Out of 34 pictures taken with a digital camera, I had four pictures with possible orbs. On two of the pictures, the orbs were very light. These two pictures (borth taken in the kitchen/dining room area) have clearly defined orbs (best viewed at full screen).

Debbie's pic: