greater maryland paranormal society

Tools Of The Trade

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The field of paranormal investigation uses lots of different kinds of equipment during an investigation. Below is a small list of tools that the GMPS uses during an investigation. And it is very important to remember that there is no companys out there that make ghost hunting equipment. Everything used in the field is made for something else, and adapted to use in paranormal investigations.

Digital Cameras

While there are alot of teams who prefer to use cameras that take film, we opt to use digital only. It gives us the chance to see right away if anything was caught in a picture and allow us to take as many photos as needed during a investigation. And on some cases we shot well over a hundred photos in the course of one nights investigation.

Flashlights

Yeah that is a no brainer. Lots of times when we investigate, it is in a total-near total dark area. We have several flashlights in stock, but a colored lens or a black light flashlight works best at keeping alot of light out of the cameras.

Electro-Magnetic Field Detectors

Otherwise referred to as EMF meters, these devices can add an important element to any investigation. Their purpose is to detect the presence of electro-magnetic fields. Such fields can be generated by ghosts and has been related to haunting activity. Be careful of jumping to conclusions if you do get an EMF reading. First, you must rule out the possibility of an electrical or magnetic source. Televisions, appliances, electrical wires and (strangely) pipes in the walls or ground can generate EMF's. EMF meters can range from the relatively cheap ($20) to somewhat expensive ($200). We use a number of differnt kinds during an investigation. Everything from a KII to a tri-filed.

Thermometer with a k-type prob

A nice addition to our equipment is a temperature reading device. Cold spots are a frequent finding in paranormal situations. The K-type prob allows us to monitor the air temp in any given location and allows us to detect if there is any changes in the temp as it happens. We use a few of these as well as the Thermal Scanner that uses infrared technology to instantly detect temperature differences on surfaces.

Hand Held Video Cameras

This handy piece of equipment can capture strange events as they occur. Most house holds have one (or at least access to one). We carry it with us or strategically place it somewhere depending on the need. What can we expect to see? We look for anything unusual. Objects moving of their own accord, unexplained shadows or lights, and just some other things that can presented themselves during a investigation. Our handhelds also have night vision on them.

Audio Recorders

Ghost hunters have come to know that ghosts are able to leave little tidbits of their existence called EVP's. Otherwise known as electronic voice phenomena, the EVP is a fascinating event for any investigation. Any recorder can be used to obtain an EVP. And in most cases we use one in each room of a location we investigate.

Motion Detectors

Motion detectors can alert you to movement in an area where there should be none. Easily, an entire room or hallway can be monitored with just one device. Could be a great indoor tool! We carry two of them with us, but dont use it all that much as we find that they can be set off with radios and other things.

8 Channel DVR Security System

This is part of the GMPS base system. During an investigation we run 8 night vision cameras that are connected to the DVR to different parts of a location that is known for activity. We record the entire investigation with this system, and it allows us the chance to see live if anything happens with in any location covered by the cameras. It also helps us to monitor the GMPS team members in any given location and should something happen in that area, we might just be able to back up a team members personal experience with video evidence.

Infrared Illuminators

The illuminators are placed in the rooms where the DVR cameras are set up. They produce a bright light that can only been seen on the cameras. To the naked eye just just look like a bunch or dim red lights.

Pen and Paper

The most basic of all the items used by the team. While we dont count personal experiences as evidence, we do log everything from cold spots, sounds, emf changes to even personal experiences. So at evidence review we can listen and watch more intently to the times reported to see if anything is caught that backs up what was loged.

An Open Mind

Something we all try to keep during investigations.