(by Larry Lawson)
So, there is a paranormal investigation tonight. Excitement and anticipation are high that it is going to be successful based on the information that has come from the location to be investigated. You get there and break out the usual array of gear and begin your investigation using the same tried and true techniques. You begin with an Electronic Voice Phenomenon session followed by using dowsing rods. Then you break out the Spirit/Ghost Box. All of this is videotaped because you want to record all of the evidence you found. A few more of these sessions repeated and you’re done. Examine the data, store it and move on – only to prepare the same routine for the next investigation.
Routine can be good. It displays consistency in your methods and it allows you to show that you collect your evidence in a structured way that leads to credibility. All good! But have you ever thought about adding an experiment to your arsenal of techniques?
Conducting an experiment can provide information that could help prove or disprove your theory about what really exists after we die. So, what kind of experiments you ask? The subject is wide open. For example, you theorize (and let’s face the fact that most of what we do during paranormal investigations is based on theory) that spirits must draw energy from around them in order to manifest themselves. We see investigators using commercially built EM (electromagnetic) pumps to get more energy in the air while they investigate. We have all heard of or experienced battery drain from our equipment during investigations. Why not design an experiment to:
A) See if this phenomenon really does happen.
And if it does,
B) What is the most effective method to provide this extra energy?
My team (The Florida Bureau of Paranormal Investigation) used discarded batteries that still had energy left. We placed them in a pile to see if a spirit source would draw energy from them. The experiment did not prove conclusive as of yet.
You should of course apply the scientific method to any experiments. The scientific method is defined as a set of principles and procedures that identify the problem or question, create the hypothesis, create an experiment to test the hypothesis, analyze the results of the experiment, find a conclusion and then share the information with others. It’s also important to try the experiment a number of times and see if you get the same results.
There are more ways to experiment in this field than can ever be discussed here. Does light have affect, weather conditions, solar conditions, how we use our equipment. Be innovative, find new ways to locate and collect evidence. You just might come up with an experiment that will be the break we have all been waiting for! You know unless you try.
See you on the other side!
