The following is a copy of the guidelines  that we give to new  members of P.A.T.S.   We realize that it is intuition, common sense and experience that make the best investigators.  Nevertheless, we offer these tips and tricks of the trade!   Enjoy!

PLEASE DO NOT REPRODUCE THIS DOCUMENT IN PART OR IN WHOLE WITHOUT SPECIFIC WRITTEN CONSENT!!!

COPYRIGHT PARANORMAL ACTIVITY TESTING SOCIETY 2006

Basic Rule of Thumb for a Paranormal Investigator....

....have an open mind, an open heart, and good running shoes!

Seriously, we all love to have fun when conducting a paranormal investigation but it is very important, to be mindful of others' fears and concerns. Be especially careful when your are conducting an investigation in someone's home. Always remember that you are an invited guest. The homeowner has invited you into their life for a reason, don't make them regret it. Be respectful and courteous at all times. You are not only representing the P.A.T.S. Investigative team, you are also representing the rest of the paranormal field.

Some important things to remember when conducting an investigation:

Clients and Courtesy

Never assume the client has a pre existing knowledge of all things paranormal. Always take the time to sit with them and discuss what concerns they are having. Go the extra mile to explain that what they are going through is perfectly normal and probably more common than they realize. Refer them to books they can read on the subjects of the paranormal, websites they can go to, or maybe even a religious leader they can go to if things get really serious.

Be mindful of the client's religious beliefs. For example, if you do an investigation in a home where the family's primary religion is Christian, it probably isn't a good idea to offer up a Pagan ritual to cleanse the house. Always discuss these issues with the client before you begin your investigation. You should try to gain as much information about the occupants of the home before you conduct your investigation.

If a client should become aggressive or seems overly upset, calmly offer to come back at a later date, quickly pack your things and go. Do not ever argue with a client. Chances are, no matter what you have to say, at this point it won't matter.

Initial Interview

The initial client interview is crucial to a paranormal investigator. The interview should be done as close to the date of the investigation as possible. This is your chance to try to get your client to really open up to you and let you into their life, so to speak. Ask lots of questions but, let them do most of the talking. Be sure to record the interview for review by the rest of the team later. 

Interview How To

Dress to impress. First impressions are a must.

Never go to an initial interview alone. Before you get there, designate who will do the interviewing. You don't want to make the client feel as if they are being interrogated.

Be sure to have your name badge and ID (driver's license for example) ready to show them. It may seem a bit mundane to you but, keep in mind that you are a stranger to this person. You want to do everything you can to gain their trust so they will feel comfortable around you.

Greet the client with a strong handshake and a friendly smile.

The first question you should ask a client should be a reassuring inquiry. "Are you OK?", "Are you feeling a bit better than you did when we last spoke?", etc.

The Q & A

First, allow the client to tell his story. Listen intently and make mental (or physical notes) of detail of the who's, why's, and when's of the story. After they have finished explaining their experience(s) to you, start off by asking a few simple questions. Remember, it is important not to make the client feel as if they are being interrogated. You must make them feel at ease talking to you. The interview should be more conversational than anything else. Do not interrupt them when they are speaking or try to rush them. The initial interview should reveal the follow factors:

1. Where there any witness other than yourself? (Would he/she be willing to be interviewed?)
2. Do you happen to remember any specific details of that day? What was the weather like?
3. Can you tell me the approximate date and time the event(s) took place?
4. What were you doing when the incident occurred?
5. Where there other people in the home?
6. How often does this happen and when did it start?
7. Is there any particular resident the paranormal activity revolves around?
8. Has anyone in the family recently suffered a great deal of stress, serious illness, or mental afflictions recently? (These are very sensitive issues and deeply personal. They can also be vital to your investigation so tread lightly)
9. Are objects be thrown or moved about in plain sight?
10. If an entity or anomaly was witnessed in the home, what did it look like? Was it a shadowy figure, clearly human, or was it simply a blur out of the corner of an eye? Details like these are most important.
11. What locations in the home does the activity seem to occur most?
12. Did the entity acknowledge the witness in anyway? Did it attempt to speak to, look at, or touch the witness(s)?
13. Have you attempted to contact the "spirit" by use of séance, medium, Ouija board, or any other method?
14. Have you or anyone else in the family ever been physically harmed or seriously frightened?
15. Have you attempted to document any of the activity and what were the results?
16. Does the homeowner know any history of the home or property? Sometimes, people will give rumored past events, speculations, and mixed history. Take what historical information given in stride but, don't completely cast it off as hearsay. Rumor mills can sometimes be the best way to start your historical research, especially in small towns.

How P.A.T.S. rolls....

The first thing to do is, of course, to figure out where to set up all of your equipment. All video cameras, audio recorders should be set up in the “hot spots” shown to you by the occupants of the home. After all equipment is set up, the team should designate 2 members to do a walk through of the home with an EMF detector and a laser thermometer. The dynamic walk-thru duo should document the readings of both the EMF detector and the thermometer from various areas of each room. During this time, a list of defects or physical oddities (floor cracks, drafty windows, loud street sounds from outside, outdoor dogs barking, leaky plumbing, anything lying around that could cause the team to trip during the investigation, unusually cold or hot areas of the home, odors, electronic toys, etc.) of the home should be made. It is a good idea to have this list made up ahead of time so that you can simply check off what you need instead of having to write them down individually.

At the same time, another dashing duo will do a sound check. They will use an audio recorder and test for odd sounds and voice travel in each room for later comparison. A good way to do this is to have a set method for testing. For example, have a team member go to the room next to you and whisper a pre-discussed phrase. Next have him speak normally, the same phrase, then a bit louder. Repeat this in various spots in the house until you are satisfied that you have covered as much of the house as necessary.

In the meantime, two more team members need to take the time once more to briefly explain to the homeowner/occupants what you will be doing in their home. Make sure they understand that their full cooperation will not only make the investigation flow more smoothly but, it will help the team yield the best possible evidence. Explain to them not to get discouraged if the team doesn’t find anything on their first try. This is also the perfect opportunity to explain to them how to use their Events Journal (a journal given to clients of the P.A.T.S. team that makes documenting their experiences simple). Take them through step by step what methods you will be using and assure them that they are in good hands.

After the EMF/Temp walk-thru, the team photographer should go room to room and photograph several photos (see the Ghost Portrait How To) before the lights are turned off. This is best done alone. The fewer people in the room, the less chance there is of interference. If the house has a reported violent history of paranormal activity, then another team member should escort the photographer.

Now, you are ready to roll. It's lights out and time to get serious. Usually P.A.T.S. team members travel in 2's and 3's. As you investigate room to room, it is a good idea to first attempt to figure out a rational, worldly explanation for the paranormal activity. See if you can find any reason for the things that go bump in the night, so to speak. Some people call this "debunking" or “disproving“. We do not like to use these terms. The words alone sound pretty harmless but, if you are telling someone you “debunked” or “disproved” their story of an apparition in the closet, for example, it can sound a bit harsh. You need to think it of easing the mind of client by giving them a tangible reason for what they may been hearing and/or feeling. Choose your words carefully when telling a client that their “ghost” was actually the shadow of a dress hanging in their closet. Some clients will be relieved with such news, others will be gravely disappointed. This is one of many reasons the initial interview is vital to your investigation. You need to get to know your client as well as possible in a very short amount of time.

Here are some guidelines to assist you in your investigation:

EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena)
Be conversational. Treat the situation as if there is someone standing right in front of you.
Provoking a ghost should always be a last resort and should be done tactfully. Especially when you are in someone else's home, you should avoid foul language. Be forewarned however, if you decide to provoke the entity in the home with teasing and so forth, be prepared for things to get ugly. This doesn't always happen but it is always a lingering possibility.
Do not ask, "Are you stuck here?", or "How did you die?" The odds are that whatever is haunting the residence doesn't realize it shouldn't be there.
Some general questions to ask: 1. What is your name?
2. How old are you?
3. What year is it?
4. Tell me about yourself?
5. Do you like it here?
6. Do you need help?
Be careful not to rub the side of your voice recorder. Keep it still and as stationary as possible.
Do not chew gum when attempting to collect EVP. Some recorders are sensitive enough to pick up the chewing sounds if you are close enough.
DO NOT WHISPER! If you have something to say to your team member(s), speak in a clear, low tone so that when your voice will be obvious during playback.
If you are investigating close to a road or the neighbors have a noisy dog tied up outside that just won't shut up, you might want to note that on the recorder.
Also note any noises you make; your stomach growling, belching, knocking something over, etc

Getting That Perfect Ghost Portrait

- Taking Care of Your Camera

First thing's first. If you have a dirty lens, you might as well leave your camera at home. Do a regular inspection of your camera(s) before each investigation. Take the time to look them over paying special attention to the lens.
Check for scratches, fingerprints, debris, smudges and so forth.
Only clean your camera with tools and chemicals designed for your type of camera to avoid scratches to your lens.
Check the rim of your lens. Make sure there are no warping or dents. This will cause random black anomalies to appear in your photos, especially if you are using 35mm film.
If you use a digital camera, remove the batteries after each use and check for corrupted files on the hard drive and on the memory card you wish to use. It is always a good idea to pack extra batteries (rechargeable or regular) and an extra memory card if you have one.
If you use a 35mm camera, it is a good idea to load the film just minutes before you begin your investigation. Make this a habit and you won't end up shooting 24 photos only to realize you forgot your film. If the camera uses an external flash be sure to test it before hand. Take several rolls of film with you and if your camera needs them, lots and lots of batteries.


- Photography 101

Do not smoke when attempting to collect paranormal photographs. Smoke is often mistaken for all sorts of anomalies; vortexes, mist, full blown entities, etc. And....it will make your lungs cry.
Be aware of your surroundings. Are there insects flying about? Is there is dampness in the air? Is it snowing or raining? Is the environment dusty? These conditions can lead to heeded debates and hurt feelings. If you are snapping photos in a dusty basement or an attic with lots of insects, your photos will yield all sorts of orbs.
When using a flash in the dark, it is a good idea to know what range your camera's flash has. The distance varies between 5 and 15 feet with most standard cameras.
Avoid pointing the camera in the direction of reflective surfaces such as window, mirrors, curio cabinets, and polished tables.
When taking photos, it is best to shoot at least 3 pictures in sync. This will give you more than one photograph for comparison. For the best results, use a tripod and if possible use the slr setting if your camera has that option.
Do not use a camera strap around your wrist. These often swing in front of the camera giving false evidence.
Keep lens covers in your camera bag. As with the strap, do not let them dangle about.
Keep your hair pulled back
Sometimes it is a good idea to ask, "May I take your picture?" Sometimes I even take it a step further by telling the unseen that they look exceptionally good today and that I would love to have a photo of them for my album.

- Video

With video cameras, you should follow the same guidelines for keeping your lenses free of debris, fingerprints and smudges and only use cleaning tools designed for your type of video camera. Keep an extra battery with you just in case. It is also a good idea to not reuse video tapes. Understandably, this can get expensive but by reusing video tapes, you run the risk of overlay and double exposure. This doesn't happen often but, if you are looking for hard evidence to support a client's claim or back up your theories, the risk of over exposure is just too great. Before each investigation, check your camera(s) thoroughly. Make sure everything is working properly. Your best chance of tangible evidence is your video camera. Treat it like family.

Videoing is pretty self explanatory. If you have more than one camera to set up, make sure you use them in the spots where the bulk of the activity has taken place. Use a watch timer or other such device to remind you when to change out the video tapes. Be mindful of the environmental conditions.

It is always good practice to set up your video cameras in a manner that will reveal any pranksters. If possible, put the camera in the corner of a room so that no one can turn it on or off without being caught on tape. It is also a good idea to walk around the room and make various normal and exaggerated movements. This will test for shadows and other events that could be later mistaken for a “ghost”.

General Guidelines for Happy Hunting

-Have fun

-NEVER investigate a property that you do not have explicit permission to investigate. This is trespassing. It is considered breaking and entering which is illegal and straight up reckless.

-When conducting interviews and investigations, never go it alone. Your safety is more important than catching a ghost on film, period!

-Do not smoke, drink alcohol or take any kind of drug legal or otherwise before or during an investigation. Such things can alter your perception. It is also just a plain stupid thing to do.
If you have been prescribed a new medication with anticipated side effects, it may be a good idea to sit out of the investigation, especially if you have never it taken before or have just started the medication.

-Keep your conversations Rated G. Do not gossip, use foul language, or harsh words. It is a P.A.T.S. general rule to not say anything to or in the company of a client that you could not walk into a Kindergarten class and say.

-Have respect for private property and the dead when investigating cemeteries and historical sites.

-Experiment with lunar cycles, solar storms. During these conditions, geomagnetic fields tend to peak and some speculate that paranormal activity is greater during this time. Keep a detailed record of your investigations and how the correlate with these peaks.

-A positive attitude is important. If you give off “bad vibes” then there’s a good chance no ghost will want to come out and greet you.

-Skeptics stay at home. To be cautious when hearing about someone’s claims of paranormal activity, makes you a good investigator. To go into an investigation refusing to believe anything that’s been reported makes you a jerk.

-Ouija boards, pendants, séances, and mediums are not good investigation tools. They not only scare the tinkles out of the average Joe but, if used improperly the results can be less than desirable.

-Dowsing rods, ghost detectors and the like should be used sparingly and with caution. Think of them as experimental paranormal investigative tools only.

-If a client requests a psychic and just won’t hear otherwise, don’t leave them hanging. Do your best to first guide them to the light, so to speak by explaining to them why that practice is not always a good idea. If the client persists, do your best to convince them to let you be present when the psychic visits the home. Caution the client about using Ouija Boards and other conjuring tools.

-Always let someone outside the P.A.T.S. team know where you are going and when you expect to return.

-Wear comfortable clothing. Make sure your clothes don’t have shiny, reflective surfaces such as sequins, rhinestones or metallic lettering. Do not wear earrings if possible.

-Avoid using strong deodorants and perfumes to better help you identify sudden odors

-When you make an appointment with a client to investigate their home or property, do your very best to keep it. If you cannot, be sure to let them know as far in advance as possible.

-If you break it, you buy it. Cliché as that may sound, it is a strict rule for P.A.T.S. members. If you are invited into someone’s life to investigate, you must respect their properties. Be courteous and refrain from horseplay during an investigation. Even if you are very careful, accidents do happen. In the event that something of the client’s gets damaged or broken, stop the investigation immediately, gather your team members and contact the client. Inform them that your team is willing to be held responsible and ask them to give an estimated value of the property that has been damaged. If it seems a bit steep, you can always get an estimate later. Express your apologies and make arrangements to reimburse the client. Only offer to continue the investigation once your are satisfied the situation is settled. To avoid these situations, discuss your concerns with the client ahead of time. Ask them to put away any valuable objects that might be easily knocked over or broken. If this is not possible, have them point them out to you and take extra steps to avoid them.
-Ask before you plug it, an important rule to adhere to especially when you are working in an older home. Some homes are not wired to handle several cameras, lap tops, and other electrical devices at once. Make sure you have enough battery back ups with you just in case. Although this is an important thing to know before you get there, it is also something that is easily forgotten.

-If you forget a piece of equipment, don’t blow up or show your frustrations in front of the client. This kind of scene can make them very uneasy and that is the last thing you want to do. Improvise with what you have and do the best you can.

-You are human. You will mess up from time to time. Equipment will malfunction. Batteries will die and video cameras will eat tapes. Dogs can pee on your tripod. These things and worse can and will happen so prepare yourself for them. The most important thing to remember is to stay calm and don’t lose your temper, especially in front of a client. Deal with the situation as best you can and move on. If the problem is so terrible that your investigation can’t continue be open and honest to the client and ask to reschedule at a later date.

-Late nights, long drives, and no caffeine, With such conditions there is a pretty good chance your team members will get under your skin once in a while. Be an adult. Don’t act like a 3 year old.