When investigating the paranormal or supernatural, proper debunking is just as important as using the right equipment. Let these examples show how.
The most important part of any paranormal investigation is the ability to debunk a location. This means that one must be willing to explore alternative explanations in order to properly address a potential haunting. The true measure of a paranormal investigator is their commitment to the truth.
Observation of visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli should be carefully examined from all possible angles.
Case Example #1: Lights
A common cause of mysterious lights that appear in a certain place can be explained as reflections, or the lights from a passing car. But in the case of a light that appeared only for a few minutes and only on certain nights, it almost got the best of these investigators.
The light would appear on the nights immediately before, during, and after a full moon. After noting that the lights never appeared during storms, the investigators took a closer look at the room in question, speculating that it might have something to do with the light from the moon.
They discovered that on the nights when the moon was at its fullest, the light would reflect off of the aluminum frame of the window at just the right angle to shine through a small gap in the blinds, thereby projecting the light into a corner of the room.
Case Example #2: Tactile
Tactile refers to the sensation of feeling touched by something that isn’t there. Tactile sensations most often occur when some or all of the body’s senses are deprived, i.e., total darkness, complete silence, etc. Goose bumps, for example, can be caused by stress, cold, or fear.
The most amusing case of tactile debunking during one investigation had one investigator hopping from foot to foot. After shining a little light on the situation, the attacker was discovered to be nothing more than a harmless dust bunny.
Case Example #3: Music
In one case, an investigator was conducting research in a cemetery and began to hear faint music. Standing quietly, the investigator was able to determine the direction of the sound and aimed a flashlight toward it. After a few moments a brief reflection flashed, and the investigator began moving toward it.
Upon reaching a fence, the investigator shined the flashlight a bit further into a small wooded area and discovered wind chimes hanging in a tree. The gentle evening breeze had caused the chiming, and the chimes were just far enough away to be heard but remained out of sight.
Case Example #4: Sounds
In another example, the living room of a house displayed a shelf of antique dolls. The owner stated that late at night the sound of a typewriter could be heard coming from somewhere behind the dolls. The investigator volunteered to spend the night in the living room and listen for the mysterious sounds.
Later that night, the investigator followed the sound to its point of origin. The ‘typing’ sound was actually caused by a toilet tank in the adjoining room refilling at different times during the night due to a slow leak. During the daytime hours, the sound was drowned out by other household activity.
In short, observation skills are very important in the field of paranormal research. Try not to jump to conclusions. Keep an open mind, and have open eyes and ears. As Sherlock Holmes once said, "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
