Going on a public ghost hunt can be fun, but it’s not without caveats. Some paranormal groups offer them around Halloween, when interest is highest. These events show how an organization conducts a typical paranormal investigation, only with more participants. Whether manifestations are products of the mind or truly supernatural is up to each participant to decide.
Every organization handles the season differently. The Vancouver Paranormal Society offers public evidence reveals year-round. Peter Renn, leader of VPS, sees public events positively—people get to meet the team and see how skilled they are. Darryl Pearson of Northern Paranormal Investigations said his team was invited to appear on TV but never received follow-ups when he explained what his group represented.
“Zak Bagans; he’s done a lot for the field. From my perspective, his show is entertainment only. You get 20 minutes of the highlights,” said Pearson.
Pearson prefers programs with less dramatization and more discussion. He fondly recalls Leonard Nimoy’s In Search of… and eagerly awaits the reboot with Zachary Quinto.
Regarding mediums and sensitives, Renn stated, “I believe 99% are full of it. Their motives are often questionable.” He’s seen many offering vague guidance rather than detailed, actionable information. They can aid investigations, but whether clients accept their input varies. As long as the group shares the same goal, it works.
“I developed as a clairvoyant/medium about 20 years ago,” said Dawn Kirkham, founder of Beyond Belief Paranormal Events. “Friends suggested I join paranormal investigations to hone my skills. I’ve worked with spirits needing help crossing over.”
She recounted cases of spirits seeking justice, including one young woman falsely accused and hanged. “I physically felt the rope around my neck—it was overwhelming. I had to disconnect to continue safely,” said Kirkham.
Old-school spiritualist tools like table tipping, glass moving, and Ouija boards are not inherently ineffective. “A skilled medium doesn’t need tools,” Kirkham explained. “I use them in public investigations for those not sensitive enough to communicate with spirits directly.”
Whether such tools work is subjective. Validity depends on proper methodology. Pearson emphasized evaluating energy sources carefully, noting that telekinesis and remote viewing have changed little since the Cold War. “NPI has about 50% sensitives, with skeptics, believers, and everyone in between. Tools can offer ideas, but they aren’t evidence unless backed by research,” he said.
Equipment familiarity is crucial. Digital devices reduce mechanical noise, but older devices require careful handling to avoid false readings.
Bigger organizations like WSPIR offer training courses to safely introduce newcomers to investigation techniques. Certificates are secondary; education is ongoing.
Renn noted, “There’s dishonesty in the field. Teams out for fame or profit reflect poorly on all of us.” Groups like NPI adhere to established ethics codes.
Dedicated researchers and historians strengthen investigative groups, ensuring findings are backed by data rather than anecdote. Questioning everything remains central: “Thinking outside the box in this field is required,” concluded Renn.
Afterwards: Thoughts on Paranormal Investigation as a Hobby
My own journey in paranormal investigation began years ago. Early challenges included finding like-minded individuals in the 90s. The 2008 Got Ghosts Conference helped connect me to active groups. Though our team eventually disbanded due to life priorities and rival egos, the experience laid the foundation for my continued work as a researcher and consultant.
I continue to read extensively on the subject, exploring historical case files from The Society of Psychical Research and university parapsychology courses. Figures like Robin Skelton inspire me, as do exceptions in the modern era like Brad Steiger and Loyd Auerbach. Historical literature, including Alfred Hitchcock’s interactions with The Three Investigators, shows that investigation has always blended observation, documentation, and ethical consideration.
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