Ghost Investigations - going to a known haunted place and recording data (video, photos, audio, temperatures), notes, interviews and other  evidence to prove/disprove the haunting and to assist the owners and the spirits in moving on and leaving the place if they want that.   The assistance can be either directly assisting the owner with the situation or putting them in contact with experienced groups or individuals that  will try to resolve the situation.

EVP-Electronic Voice Phenomenon -  EVP is a way to communicate with spirits. Researchers believe that the voices of the dead can be recorded and played back on magnetic audio tape. It is the most modern way to communicate with the spirit world. Some skeptics believe that they are not voices of the dead but radio or CB transmissions.

EMF Detector - The Electromagnetic Field Detector, also known as an EMF, is the modern day ghost researcher’s tracking device, a very important piece of equipment.  With this instrument it is possible to locate and track energy sources.   It will detect fluctuations in electromagnetic fields and low strength moving EMF fields that have no source.  It is a common theory that spirits disrupt this field in such a way that you can tell one is present by higher than normal readings with this meter.  Before using the EMF as a ghost research tool on an investigation be sure to walk around the area and take initial readings around energy sources such as light poles or electrical outlets to be sure of the readings you receive while scanning the area during the investigation.  Most units when purchased come with a manual describing most household and major appliances and their corresponding electromagnetic reading.   When using the EMF as a tracking device look for fluctuations of 2.0 to 7.0, this usually indicates spirit presence.  Anything higher or lower is normally has a natural source.

Residual Hauntings - Do you see the same apparition doing the same things all the time?  Do you hear the same noises, possibly at the same time of day, each time they are heard?  Does that ghost seem to not even realize that you are there?  If the answer is yes to any of these, you may be witnessing what is known as a residual haunting.  Some of the most famous hauntings appear to be residual ones.  A residual haunting is a playback of a past event.  The apparitions involved are not spirits, they are “recordings” of the event.  I believe that this will be the first type of haunting that main stream researchers will recognize and study.  There are numerous theories on how these residual hauntings come to be.  The main one will be discussed here.

Video and audio tapes capture sounds and images on a film of special material that has been oxidized or rusted.  Certain building materials, such as slate used in older castles and stone structures and iron nails used in many older buildings, have properties similar to that of the tapes.  When a traumatic event occurs or a time of heightened emotions, these materials record the event for future playback.  Everything is made up of energy and energy cannot be destroyed.  The materials store the energy created by these traumatic events and plays them back at a later time.  The Tower of London’s ghost of Anne Boleyn and the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall are two famous examples of residual hauntings.  We are not sure what causes the playback of the events, that still remains a mystery.  Is it the right weather conditions, the witness’s energy or sensitivity or some type of energy release?  That is the question that we as researchers are trying to answer.

As I said, in a residual haunting, there is no spirit involved.  This type of event is not dangerous at all so if you ever have the chance to witness one, do so without fear and enjoy it. This type of haunting has to be considered when investigating a haunting.  When my group goes to a haunted location, we spend the first hour split into two teams.  One team maps out the area, noting any EMF readings and Temperature readings so we have guidelines to judge other readings by.  We also make note of how the building is constructed and set up.  The other team is conducting interviews with witnesses.  The questions are setup to find out if the activity sounds like a spirit, poltergeist, residual haunting, etc.  If we feel the activity is a residual haunting we will set up a stakeout in the location the ghost is often seen or heard.  This is the best way to observe and possibly capture evidence of the event.  It may take many return trips and hours of sitting there staring at nothing.  It is very tedious but if it something occurs, you will forget very quickly about all the time you sat waiting for it to happen.

Intelligent Hauntings - Intelligent hauntings are those in which the ghost interacts with the present. It is intelligent, in that it may communicate with those on the earthly plane. The disembodied person has elected for some reason to stay or maybe just visit the physical world, due to a connection with a person, place or thing. Intelligent hauntings may also occur due to a spirit’s compelling need to deliver a message from the other side of the grave, or to watch over loved ones. In addition, it is also plausible that intelligent hauntings occur due to attachments the ghostly person feels through memories, trauma, tragedy or any other emotional tie, effectively binding the mind to:

1. Maybe not realize the person’s body is indeed deceased
2. Completing unfinished earthly business
3. Re-living traumatic events, as the mind replays the event in trying to comprehend
4. Perhaps hang around loved ones or persons the ghost finds like company with
5. Not letting go due to fear of death and moving on to a new world

Intelligent hauntings manifest typically in what some may consider “signs.” Hiding or moving objects, doors opening and closing, strange sounds, spiritual presence (Goosebumps, e.g.), Disturbance of electrical devices are all examples of ghosts attempting to gain someone’s attention and communicate from the spirit realm. One may also experience dreams and visions of loved ones, especially right before or after sleep when most are open to contact (and the left brain is quieted down). It is also not uncommon to physically see a ghostly loved on, as well. The best thing one can do is remain open to the contact and listen to what is heard deep within, as that is how ghosts primarily communicate. Speak to the spirit, your ghostly friend, in words of peace, understanding, blessing and love.

Poltergeist Hauntings - Poltergeists hauntings may be the most misunderstood type of haunting. Some believe that poltergeist hauntings are not even a haunting at all.  The German word, “poltergeist,” means “noisy ghost.”  The best defining mark of a poltergeist is if there is any manipulation of the physical environment such as the movement of objects, physical attack, spontaneous combustions, etc, then this is a poltergeist- type of haunting. A common thread between different poltergeist hauntings has strongly indicated that they are caused by psychokinesis (the ability to move things by power of the mind alone).  The question becomes whether the psychokinesis is from the people who live within (or visit) the place where the activity takes place, or if it is actually occurring from an unseen troubled spirit, called a ghost.  The reason for this is because typically poltergeist hauntings center around an adolescent girl (although young males and even adults have exhibited the same phenomena) in the household. Typically, this central person is usually emotionally disturbed in some fashion and is somehow the root cause of objects moving, knocking sounds (and other noises), the turning on and off of lights and electrical appliances, etc.

What is interesting is that the person, whom the activity centers around, is unaware that they are the one who is bringing about the disturbance.  But in true poltergeist hauntings, none of the activity will continue after the person is removed from the environment, as they are not there to create it or influence an unseen entity.  However, it has been reported that activity can return later if the “right” person visits or lives in a notably poltergeist-haunted place.  This would lead one to believe that it requires a combined psychic energy to manifest such terrible hauntings. The central figure in a poltergeist haunting actually brings additional energy which the troubled ghost then uses to manifest with physical attacks or manipulation.  This can be especially true if one is somewhat psychic and/or full of fear.  The ghostly entity seems to feed off of low energies such as fear.  This is when more harmful attacks can occur.  Sometimes the effects of a poltergeist are more playful than harmful but have been known to be downright nasty.  Reports of scratches, bites, harmful objects being put in one’s way (such as glass shards on a pillow or tacks under a bed sheet) have been noted,”Ghosts haunt houses; poltergeists haunt people.”  Perhaps many times, the troubled spirit wants only to communicate a message to those who still are in bodies.

Whatever the truth of the poltergeist phenomena, poltergeist hauntings are a powerful demonstration of the human psyche.  Mysteriously, poltergeist hauntings seemingly go away as quickly as they began.  The most famous and terrible accounts of a poltergeist attacking a family is the Bell Witch. John Bell’s daughter was severely troubled and central to the haunting.  Many believe she was sexually abused by her father and this is what sparked a nightmare for the family.

Non Human or Demonic Hauntings - Demonic non human A  demon (unlike a Ghost)  is a spirit that has never lived, was never born  and  therefore  never  died.  Demonic spirits  can  take  on  the appearance  of  benevolent  spirits  of  the deceased for the purpose  of  gaining  our  trust  and  then  be  able to  move unhindered until it accomplishes  its  goal  of  destruction.  By the time you realize what you are really dealing  with,  the  demon has  infested  not only your home but  also  your   life.  Demonic  activity  can create  a horde of disturbances for you,  including but not limited to Health, Money and  Relationship problems. They very often appear in cases dealing with Ouija boards, black magic and satanic worship. This is why a ghost hunter should never attempt to use a Ouija board to attempt contact with spirits. This type of spirit is very dangerous, and CAN cause harm to the living. If you encounter an entity of this type, never attempt to “exorcise” them yourself. This type of haunting should be dealt with by spiritual experts.

This list compiled through the help of Shadowlands Ghost Hunters and C W Paranormal Consultants