How to Conduct a Ghost Hunt

Steps to Conduct Your Own Ghost Hunt

• 1

  The first thing to do is to find a location where there is suspected ghostly activity. Best places are graveyards, battlefields, historic buildings, castles and theaters.
  Do a preliminary check in daylight, prior to your hunt. Take pictures and/or video, do a thermal scan and EMF readings. Write your results as the control group. As the control group, these will be compared to any "findings" you may have when you review the material collected after the hunt. Ghost hunting is a science and you should proceed by using the scientific method. The scientific method starts with an hypothesis (which in this case would be: Is X place haunted?). From there, you collect data, compare data to the control group and get your results.

• 2

  Gather your hunting group. Remember, it is not safe to hunt alone. Always bring at least one friend. Ideally, a group should consist of 4 to 8 people, thus allowing everyone to carry equipment and participate at various levels.

• 3

  Before you arrive at the location for the hunt, check for full charge of all electronic equipment. Also, check equipment for proper function. Nothing is more frustrating then finding out your equipment is broken or isn't working when you have an important event happening right in front of you. Also broken equipment could skew the results and invalidate your hunt.
  When you arrive at the site, do an initial sweep of the area to familiarize yourself (and team) with the site. If an owner or caretaker is present, allow them to show you the site. They may have tips or valuable information which could come in handy.

• 4

  Ready your equipment, the camera and the video recorder.
  Begin walking slowly into each area or room. Take pictures of the entire room from different angles, focus on anything that draws your interest as well. Begin recording with the video after the still photographs have been taken. Again, photograph the entire room. If you are in a large, open place, such as a cemetery, be certain to pare it down into smaller parts and work slowly to cover the entire area.
  It is entirely possible that you may capture orbs (balls of energy or light) or other images without seeing them at the time of photography. These may be visible upon reviewing the video and photographs.

• 5

  Ready the voice recorder and be certain the team is aware that you will be recording. Try to eliminate excess movement, talking or any outside noise. Begin the voice recording by stating the exact time, date and location. Ask questions but allow a few moments between. This will perhaps garner an electronic voice phenomenon (EVP). AN EVP is a voice that can only be heard upon play back of the recording.
  Questions you might ask during your voice recording time include: "Who are you," "Why are you here," "Do you wish to tell me anything," and, "Are you aware that it is (insert year)." Be creative or use some information the owner or caretaker has given you, such as a possible name.
  If you have other equipment such as an Electromagnetic Field Detector or thermometer, feel free to use these after recording with the voice recorder.

• 6

  After a thorough investigation has been done, review each piece slowly, noting anything unusual or different. Record any evidence on the paper next to the control information. Review tapes, pictures and recordings multiple times (and if possible by multiple people) to ensure accuracy.