protocol
by Beth Trimble
Generally speaking, protocol is all. The reason being is that if you do regular investigations, and everyone follows protocol, then it is easier to establish the authenticity of your evidence. This is true for singular investigations by yourself, or with a group.
What we do at S.P.I.R.I.T is set in stone.
First, make sure everyone has extra batteries - sometimes batteries drain mysteriously just as you are experiencing something.
(We call this 'ghost suck')
Make sure everyone has synchronized their watches and equipment times. You may have to refer to an EVP recording against a video recording to verify (or debunk) a finding.
When doing EVP sessions, try to ask a question, then pause, in case there's an answer.
EVPs also show up while investigators are talking amongst themselves, as if joining in to the conversation.
Make sure you have safety in mind. Bats and other delights carry disease (face masks are a good thing when wandering in an old cellar or attic.) Know your terrain. Are the floors solid?
Make sure you have full permission to investigate, either on tape, recording or in writing.
Although you may be tempted to let a video just run and run and run and run, please realize that later you will have to listen or watch it run and run and run and run.... boredom happens, and you may miss something with a yawn or distraction. We try to keep our hand held video recordings to 15 minutes or less. Then we stop, and start again so that you can review in increments.
If running a standing video (located in one spot to record while you are not there) please take the time to go back, turn it off, and restart a new video. Trust us, you will thank us later when reviewing. We might let a standing video run an half an hour at a time. That's a half an hour watching the same static scene. No commercials. No blinking. Yeah. It's all that.
When entering a room (alone, or in a group):
First have the photographer (or yourself) photograph the room from the doorway as much as possible, in all directions.
This is to show the room as it is, untouched, before you enter (and also before you stir up dust.)
Then others may enter to do their own recordings, evp work, etc. As mentioned in the EVP faq, please use low voices, but not whispers. Note if there are noises (cars, someone in the group gasping or coughing, etc) when recording. A stomach grumble can sound like a demon from hell arising if you don't remember to say "That was Kirk's stomach. We will get him a sandwich. Please, for the love of God, disregard".
Never taunt or be aggressive to entities. Be nice.
Always thank any possible entities for participating (even if you don't realize it at the time) when leaving. We actually get more next time by being polite.
Remember, entities are not used to being spoken to. They are like the lonely wallflowers standing alone and forgotten at a party. When you address them directly, it may take some time for them to realize you are actually talking to them. It's a learning process, both ways, for you, and for them. Have patience.
If something happens to you physically (a touch, a hair pull, a tickle on your neck) please stop and try to document it immediately either on paper or in a recording/video. Note the time if you can. If you hear something unexplained (and it's not you or a person with you,) mark it on your recording or video so that later when you hear that, or refer to your paperwork, you can go to that spot in your recording or video to listen and watch more carefully.
If you feel unwell suddenly, excuse yourself and go to a safe place (car, meeting room, somewhere with lights and comfort.)
Speaking of patience: The hunt is cool. The review is... boring. You may be watching a static shot of the same hallway for a long, long time.
Just remember....that one second of movement, or that shadow, or that evp is electrifying!
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