Across the Great Divide
Investigation Procedures: Presentation and Follow-up (Part 5 of 5)
If you’ve been following this series we’ve covered quite a bit of information for carrying out a successful investigation into claims of paranormal activity. You’ve designed and organized your group, researched the case and its history, carried out the hands-on aspects of the investigation, and meticulously analyzed your data. In this final installment of the Investigation Procedures series we will cover the process of presenting your findings to the client and follow-up protocols you should consider and practice in regards to concluding your investigation.
You and your crack team have thoroughly gone over every last bit of data not once, but several times to make sure you’ve covered everything. Every nanosecond of audio/visual evidence, every pixel of every picture has been combed, and all your historical and environmental research has been concluded. Leaving no stone unturned you’re analysis is complete and you’re ready to take your findings back to your client. As soon as possible, within a few days at most, you’ll want to return to the client to present your report.
At best you’ve got some logical answers to debunk some of the claims and with any luck some awesome evidence to present to your client to support their claims. Even if you don’t, it doesn’t mean a failure for the investigation. Keep a level head and remember that all investigations are a gamble- sometimes you can catch good evidence, but most of the time it results in no valid paranormal evidence whatsoever but each investigation is a learning experience and that has no price tag.
It could very well be that a client may be comforted by the fact nothing paranormal was going on and whatever logical, natural explanations you may have for the events in the house could put them at ease. At the same time, if substantial evidence is found it can also aide the clients so when friends and family give them a crooked eye they can present professional proof to support their claims.
First and most important, thank the client for inviting you into their home or business to investigate. Not only is this professional but proper etiquette as well. This is a volunteer agreement on both sides and putting your best foot forward goes a long way toward being taken seriously, being asked back, and having your spotless reputation spread through positive word of mouth. Explain the tools and techniques used in the investigation, procedures followed, and answer any questions they may have about equipment, research methods, and reasoning. If nothing of merit was discovered explain that often this is the case with most investigations. Explain that it does not mean that the location is not haunted or that their claims have no validity, it simply means the results were inconclusive at that time and the case will remain open for further investigation.
If there were specific results, go through each one at a pace comfortable for both the client and the presenters. Both parties will be anxious and eager to view evidence but don’t rush it. Take time to explain how each piece of evidence was captured, where it was captured, and offer theories to explain the phenomena both natural and supernatural.
It should be stressed NOT to lead with what YOU think a sound or voice could be saying. The power of suggestion can skew the clients’ objectivity into seeing things the way you want. Let them hear the recordings first and then discuss what they think it says, or if the sounds are familiar or routine. They know their house better than you do and a paranormal sound to you could be something quite mundane and familiar to them. After they have given their opinion, state the group’s position and discuss the reasoning behind it.
After all quantifiable evidence is dealt with then you could move on to any personal experiences that occurred during the night. Point out that these are not “proof” but additions to the lore of the location. If these personal experiences are substantial enough and can be backed up by the evidence then you as a group must determine if you would officially classify the location as haunted before telling the client one way or the other.
Even if you’ve captured irrefutable evidence of paranormal activity, it should not mark the end of your investigation with this client. Schedule a time and date for future investigations. These could be right away or a few weeks apart.
Many groups visit once for a few hours and that’s it. Evidence or no evidence- case closed. This is NOT scientific. Your research methods must be put to the test. Follow-up investigations need to be carried out for many reasons. If no evidence was captured, perhaps the energy wasn’t there that night to manifest the results, or in the case of an intelligent haunt they simply didn’t want to play along that night. There are many logical reasons as to why nothing of merit turned up, both scientific and supernatural. Don’t just assume there isn’t any support for the claims just because of one bad night.
By the same token, if valid evidence was found, see if it can be recreated. In the case of anomalous photos, recreate the conditions with those who were present to see if there was some logical explanation that was missed; if you had clear responses to questions or commands on audio, see if they recur. Will they answer the same question or comment again in the same way?
Do one investigation during the day, one at night, and a few using various control situations. After a solid batch of visits, you’ll have more evidence to support either theory and will be more confident to make a final conclusion.
When you’re ready to close the case, leave the client your contact information and offer follow-up services should circumstances change or warrant third-party assistance. Make yourself available for questions and concerns as well as support services. Suppose after all the painstaking research it is determined that there is no basis for claiming paranormal activity. Let them know you can still be a phone call away to address any concerns they have. If you’re final claim is that the place is haunted, many people don’t take kindly to spirits making themselves uninvited guests in their homes. If they are troubled by the evidence or the situation provide spiritual or psychological counseling if you are qualified to do so, or point them in the direction of a qualified person or organization that can. Let them know that at any time if the events continue to occur, worsen, or even dissipate in the wake of the investigation they can call for further assistance. Above all let them know they are not alone and your organization will be there for them, now and in the future.
Share your findings with other groups who may want to visit the location themselves and collaborate on the findings. True researchers share their knowledge; not horde it for personal gain. Remember that word of mouth is a powerful thing. Positive or negative comments and reviews could make you or break you.
Keep former or future clients updated and involved on past, current, and future investigations and group activities. In this wired world you’ll also want to keep an active online profile to share information about the group, offer services, and post evidence and reviews of past investigations.
So there you are. Your investigation is complete. With the knowledge and experience gained from this outing your next one will be better and your team will strengthen and grow, not only in skill but in recognition.
On a personal note, as I write this, the holiday season is upon us and Thanksgiving is but a week away. Soon the hustle and bustle of the season will be in full swing as we close in on the end of 2010. So whatever you celebrate, stay happy, laugh often, and cherish your friends and loved ones. With that in mind, it is now time for what has become my traditional holiday message. Enjoy.
To all my friends, family, fans, and loyal readers:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the secular winter festival season, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all; and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2011, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped to make America great (not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country or is the only “AMERICA” in the western hemisphere), and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, or choice of computer and/or smartphone platform of the wishee.*
Best Wishes,
R. Wolf Baldassarro
* By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.