Ghost Hunting Basics with Dusty Smith
Getting Down to the Basics for a Successful Ghost Hunt
Smith, president of the Daytona Beach Paranormal Research Group (DBPRG), is also an author and speaker, and holds certifications as a ghost hunter and paranormal investigator; as well as several degrees in other areas such as biology, psychology, history and theology, which aid the investigator in her scientific approach towards the paranormal field.
In addition, the engaging redhead was featured in several episodes on Discovery Channel’s series, A Haunting. She's been in a myraid of situations and knows where to look and what to look for.
Where are the Local Haunted Sites?
“Ask around,” says Smith. “The local library, museums, bookstores and historical societies have a wealth of information. Stay out of locations such as abandoned buildings and public locations with hours that close before dark. Not only is there a safety factor, but a possible bail factor involved in these types of places.”
Those who research beforehand should be able to uncover some interesting sites, paranormally speaking, to check out. Smith's first ghost hunt, which took place in October of 1997, was a memorable one, to be sure.
An Amazing First Ghost Hunt for Smith
“A few of my friends and I went to St. Augustine, Florida to see if we could put any evidence behind some of the purported hauntings," Smith shares. "The one location that we got a great deal of activity was Huguenot Cemetery." "Not only did we get some EVPs, but a full body apparition on 35 MM film, and some interesting readings on the EMF and temperature meter," she adds. "I was pleased with the results we acquired. The results were what I had hoped for.”
What Tools Does a Ghost Hunter Need?
What specific tools should ghost hunters bring along? “Our best piece of equipment is ourselves,” shares Smith. “Our brains, including logic, empathy, being skeptical, compassion, our senses and so on." According to Smith, “You have to be a detective. Your instincts and senses are paramount in the field. It doesn’t matter how much equipment you have, if you don’t know how to use it or aren’t looking for natural or man made sources for activity, your evidence is useless.”
Smith makes it clear how important it is for a ghost hunter to remain skeptical. “Debunk before being convinced,” she stresses. “As for hand held, man made equipment, Smith indicates that they regularly use “IR thermometers, EMF meters, digital & 35 MM cameras, video cameras, night vision surveillance cameras, Geiger counters, anemometers, dowsing rods, C02 detectors, two way radios, TV monitors, lap top computers, parabolic microphones, digital voice recorders, audio recorders, and lots of batteries." Yes, that’s a whole lot of equipment, but remember; Smith has been in the business for over a decade, and she offers advice for those, sans the big eqipment, who are just starting out.
Inexpensive Tools Can be Used for Ghost Hunting Success
“You don’t have to have a lot of expensive equipment,” the DBPRG President notes. “A compass can be used as an EMF meter (it spins and cannot find north in the presence of electrical activity), baking flour can be used to track movement, as well as string and candles. A $10 thermometer can detect activity as well. Also, disposable 35 MM cameras can photograph paranormal activity as well as an expensive model.”
When investigating a location it is also important to have done your homework up front. Knowing the basic information about the site can help speed things along and ward off unwanted complications, such as what areas you’re allowed to enter or not enter, and what is the most “active” area in the location, from your interviews/research beforehand.
The odds of having as successful a first ghost hunt as Smith did are slim (recording a full body apparaition is rare), but the odds of having a great time seeking to uncover a snippet of the hidden paranormal world are decidedly higher.
Dusty Smith, President of the DBPRG
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