The Investigators vs. The Groupies

The continuing increase of attention on paranormal phenomena has brought with it the unavoidable emergence of “groupies” trying to pass themselves off as actual investigators. As a result it has become common to see articles with titles such as “Ghost Hunters Arrested For Trespassing,” which  understandably cause many to assume such actions are how everyone involved in the paranormal field operate. Although paranormal investigation is not thought of as a genuine field of study, that does not mean that there are not professionals with valid skills and experience who are seeking to legitimately research and understand the paranormal.

As there is no certification or required qualifications to investigate paranormal claims the rise of groupies has become widespread anywhere you look. Even so, whether you are looking to become involved with an organization, or looking for a team of investigators to examine an experience you have had, there are certain things that you should look for that are expected from any other service. Do they have a clear and presented history? Is contact information prominently provided? Has there been any recognition or do they offer reference? Do they make claims that are simply not possible, such as calling themselves “certified paranormal investigators” or “trained in paranormal investigation?” And although there is no licensing for paranormal organizations, serious groups will have gone through the process of becoming a registered business, which is something that is listed in public records and can be searched or provided.

The next things to consider are how the organization approaches the subject of the paranormal. Do they present themselves as “groupies” who believe everything strange is automatically paranormal, or do they offer up logical thought in addition to beliefs? Do they overuse pop-culture terms like “ghost hunters,” “demonologists,” “hauntings,” “entities,” and other expressions that draw more on the TV viewpoint than any basis in reality? Are they open to questions about their methods, technology, and investigations? Do they welcome your questions, or do they only ask you to contact them if you are looking for an investigation? And most importantly, do they provide you with any biographical information about their organization and the people involved with them? If you don’t see photographs, descriptions, and information about their experience than you should immediately be apprehensive.      

There are two final things to consider, and they are what a group claims to provide, as well as what they claim to be able to prove. Groups that specifically try to press actions like “exorcisms,” “cleansings,” or “clearings” during investigations are disturbing. The main focus of investigators should be to examine the claims and locations related to an experience, and while I support the use of some practices like those mentioned if it what an individual wishes, they are a more belief-based approach and should only be done by those with background and experience in such areas. And remember that an investigation team should not be coming in with the assumption that anything needs to be “cleansed” as they should be looking at whether or not anything unusual is even detected first.

This brings me to the last and most essential of these things to consider: what does the group claim to PROVE? Any group that claims it can prove that a “ghost” exists or that a place is “haunted” is extending beyond reason. This does not mean that paranormal investigation and organizations are baseless, it merely means that we must recognize what we truly can or cannot produce. And in this field of study “proof positive” remains elusive. Complete believers don’t like the term “debunking” because they think is something negative, but the fact of the matter is that at the end of the day any genuine paranormal investigators will admit that far more winds up explained than unexplained. There are plenty of natural occurrences which can lead someone to feel they are experiencing something paranormal. From the presence of high Electromagnetic Fields to simple results of aging or settling buildings, an investigation group should be well-aware of possibilities that exist. In short, we are dealing with the unknown; the best we can do is conclude that an experience or event has no presently known or identified explanation.

So what do paranormal organizations provide to people? We provide analytical examination of claims. We provide a place where people don’t have to worry about being ridiculed for what they believe. We provide resources to explore questions about the unexplained. And we provide the encouragement that we should all realize that there is far more mystery in our world than that which can be so easily written off.  

Being open minded, drawing your own conclusions, and believing in things that can’t be fully explained are great and keeping these things in mind you will be able to easily distinguish the investigators from the groupies that are out there.