Audio Recorder: The audio recorder is perhaps one of the simplest pieces of equipment to use on an investigation; yet, it can become one of the most important. Not only does it record interviews with property owners, but it can also record sounds that were not heard during the investigation. Countless EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) have been documented as answers to questions during inves¬tigations. Many questions are asked in an attempt to establish who the spirit is and why it's present, so don't dismiss the audio recorder. If you buy an analog recorder, be sure to get one with an exter¬nal microphone so you can eliminate some of the recorder's internal mechanical noises.

Camcorder: There are several types of video recorders, analog and digital. They use a variety of media tapes and cards or disks and there are other options and accessories to consider. The one accessory that I could not do without however is the additional infrared light, which extends the range of the night vision up to one hundred feet.

Digital Camera: The digital camera is the most com¬monly used piece of equipment during paranormal investigations. The digital camera does not require the changing, storage, and development of film and can provide quick and immediate verification of an anomaly captured on the disk.

EMF (electromagnetic field): Spirits use energy to make things happen. It might be to move around themselves, make other things move, or even make themselves manifest as an orb, ectoplasm, or as a visible being. It is also speculated that they have some energy of their own, but many times will zap the energy from a nearby source such as a battery, or directly from the atmosphere causing a sudden drop in air temperature. When this energy (known as an electromagnetic field) is concentrated into one location, it can be detected with the appropriate equipment, an EMF Detector.

EMF Detector: During investigations, I use two types of EMF detectors. The EMF detector I use to take base readings (the property's normal reading) of an area is the GausMaster. Using a needle gauge and an audio signal, it will quickly let you know if there is an electrical anomaly present. In addition to the GausMaster, a KII EMF detector is recommended. This device uses a series of five lights to indicate the presence of electrical discharges and has been said to be of assistance in having communications with spirits through a series of questions that can be answered with a 'yes' or 'no.'

EVP (electronic voice phenomena): During interviews, vigils, and investigations, I used an audio recorder or a camcorder. Sometimes, when recordings are played back, voices that were not heard during the real time conversation are present. Sometimes these voices are clear and distinguishable while other times they can barely be made out. Sometimes it's not a voice, but a noise such as footsteps, doors opening and closing, tapping, or knocking.

Ghost Hunt: A ghost hunt is performed at a location where there has been no previous evidence of a haunting. This is sometimes a more casual event utilizing less staff and equipment.

Ghost Investigation: A ghost investigation is performed when there have been reports of a haunting that has already taken place. The investigation is approached with a plan of action to answer the what, where, when, who, and how questions.

Infrared: The invisible portion of light that makes it possible to see in the dark. Infrared lighting is what is used by video cameras and camcorders to allow recording in a building in the dark or outside at night when it is impractical to use spot or floodlights.

Intelligent Haunting: The intelligent haunting is just that. One might see a partial or full-bodied appari¬tion. Someone might answer a question or move an object upon request or one just might experience a bump in the night. A person may smell an odor such as smoke when there is none to be found. One may see an orb, a cloud of ectoplasmic mist, but most commonly, a shadow will pass in a person's peripheral vision. These spirits are grounded or earthbound, continuing to exist or live in this plane.

Orb: A circle, a sphere, or a round object related to the energy of a spirit that is often captured on film. In the paranormal field, it is an object captured on film or seen with the naked eye. Many if not most paranormal skeptics do not believe that an orb is related to the energy of a spirit. They believe that all orbs are nothing more than an error or flaw in the camera's ability to properly focus or it is a piece of dust, pollen, or moisture that is floating in the air and too close to the camera lens. Although I will agree that some cameras do have this problem, I do not agree that all orbs captured on film are dust, pollen, or moisture just as I do not believe that everything that falls from the sky is always rain and can be nothing else.

Residual Haunting: This type of haunting can best be thought of as if a person were watching a video or movie. An object or a place can capture the energy of an event and when atmospheric conditions al¬low, the event will be played back over and over as if recorded in time. Keep in mind that a piece of tape used in audio and video recordings is just film to which the images and sounds can adhere. One cannot interact with residual hauntings; one can only see or hear them as they repeat themselves, trapped in time. How many times have you heard a door close or someone walk up or down the stairs or hallway? That just might be a residual haunting.

Thermal Detector: Like all the other pieces of equipment mentioned in this list, the thermal detector comes in several different styles and has multiple purposes. There are detectors that will read surface tempera¬tures and ones that will read air temperature. The latter is perhaps the most usable and accurate for paranormal investigating since a drop in air temperature can indicate the presence of a spirit.

Vigil: On occasion, investigations lend themselves to a period of time when persons will gather to sit, in an attempt to communicate with spirits that may be in that area. This has nothing to do with a religious ceremony or the use of an Ouija Board. During a vigil, many prefer to take the time to be still and quiet, only to ask questions in hopes of having a com¬munication with a spirit. Tape recorders, thermal scanners, camcorders, and EMF detectors will be used to gather, verify, and validate any anomalies.