👻 Not Quite Normal

A comprehensive guide to preternatural investigation techniques: scientifically valid, questionable, and debunked

🔍

No methods found matching your search.

🔬 How It Works: The Scientific Method

▼

Legitimate preternatural investigation follows the same rigorous standards as any scientific inquiry. The goal is not to prove or disprove the existence of supernatural phenomena, but to systematically eliminate natural explanations and gather reliable data.

1

Document the Claims

Record detailed accounts of reported experiences including times, locations, witnesses, and environmental conditions. Avoid leading questions and document everything objectively.

2

Establish Baseline Readings

Measure normal environmental conditions when nothing unusual is occurring. This includes temperature, EMF levels, air quality, sound levels, and structural characteristics.

3

Rule Out Natural Explanations

Test for carbon monoxide, check for mold, examine building structures, identify sources of sounds and vibrations, and evaluate psychological factors like stress and sleep deprivation.

4

Collect Data Systematically

Use calibrated instruments, maintain detailed logs, record continuously rather than selectively, and ensure multiple independent observers when possible.

5

Analyze Objectively

Look for patterns, correlate data from multiple sources, avoid confirmation bias, and be willing to accept mundane explanations. The most common finding should be "no anomalous activity detected."

6

Report Honestly

Present findings without exaggeration, acknowledge limitations, distinguish between data and interpretation, and recommend practical solutions when natural causes are identified.

Remember: The absence of a natural explanation does not automatically mean a preternatural one. "We don't know" is a perfectly valid scientific conclusion.

🎯 Getting Started: Legitimate Investigation

▼

If you're interested in investigating reported phenomena, here's how to approach it responsibly and scientifically:

Essential Equipment

Thermometer/Hygrometer: Track temperature and humidity changes
Audio Recorder: Document sounds for later analysis
Video Camera: Continuous recording with timestamps
EMF Meter: Identify electrical sources (not spirits)
Carbon Monoxide Detector: Critical safety tool
Notebook: Detailed written logs remain essential

Skills to Develop

Critical Thinking: Question everything, including your own assumptions
Building Knowledge: Understand architecture, HVAC, electrical systems
Psychology: Learn about perception, memory, and cognitive biases
Data Analysis: Correlate multiple data sources objectively
Communication: Interview witnesses without leading them
Research: Study prior investigations and scientific literature

Best Practices

Never investigate alone (safety and corroboration)
Get permission before investigating private property
Document everything, even "nothing happened"
Be prepared to find ordinary explanations (most common outcome)
Don't trespass or break laws in pursuit of evidence
Respect the people experiencing phenomena, even if causes are mundane

Red Flags to Avoid

Groups that claim 100% success in finding "activity"
Investigators who charge large fees for services
Those who use only questionable/debunked methods
Anyone claiming to "cleanse" or "remove" spirits for money
Groups that discourage skepticism or questioning
Investigators who dramatize findings for entertainment

Most Important: Your goal should be to help people find answers and peace of mind, not to sensationalize experiences or confirm preexisting beliefs.

✅

Scientifically Supported Methods

Evidence-Based ▼

Environmental Monitoring

Using calibrated instruments to measure temperature, humidity, air pressure, and electromagnetic fields to identify natural explanations for reported phenomena.

Scientific Basis: Changes in environmental conditions can cause structural sounds, visual distortions, and physical sensations that may be misinterpreted as preternatural activity.

Infrasound Detection

Measuring sound frequencies below 20 Hz that are inaudible to humans but can cause feelings of unease, anxiety, and visual hallucinations.

Scientific Basis: Studies have shown that infrasound can cause eye vibrations leading to peripheral vision distortions and feelings of dread (Tandy & Lawrence, 1998).

Carbon Monoxide Testing

Using CO detectors to rule out carbon monoxide poisoning, which causes hallucinations, paranoia, and feelings of being watched.

Scientific Basis: Well-documented cases of "hauntings" have been traced to carbon monoxide leaks causing neurological symptoms.

Audio Recording & Analysis

Recording ambient sounds with quality equipment and analyzing for natural sources (pipes, animals, wind, structural settling).

Scientific Basis: Proper audio recording and analysis can identify mundane sources of mysterious sounds through waveform analysis, frequency identification, and acoustic forensics.

Psychological Assessment

Evaluating witnesses' mental state, sleep patterns, stress levels, and potential for suggestibility or pattern recognition bias.

Scientific Basis: Psychology shows that sleep deprivation, stress, and expectation significantly influence perception and memory of anomalous experiences.

Building Structure Analysis

Examining architecture, materials, and construction for sources of sounds, drafts, and movement (settling foundations, thermal expansion, etc.).

Scientific Basis: Buildings naturally produce sounds and movements that can seem mysterious without understanding their structural causes.

Seismic Monitoring

Using sensitive vibration sensors to detect and identify footsteps, structural movement, nearby traffic, or geological activity that might be misinterpreted as paranormal.

Scientific Basis: Seismographs accurately measure vibrations and can rule out or identify natural sources of mysterious sounds and movements.

Mold & Fungus Testing

Testing for toxic mold species (like Stachybotrys) that produce mycotoxins affecting neurological function and causing hallucinations, paranoia, and cognitive impairment.

Scientific Basis: Documented medical cases show toxic mold exposure causes symptoms often attributed to hauntings, including visual/auditory hallucinations and feelings of dread.

Radiation Detection

Using Geiger counters to test for radon gas and other radiation sources that can affect perception and cause health symptoms mistaken for paranormal experiences.

Scientific Basis: Radon exposure causes neurological symptoms and is linked to anxiety and altered mental states. Testing rules out this dangerous environmental factor.

Air Quality Analysis

Testing for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), allergens, dust, and poor ventilation that can cause disorientation, headaches, and sensory distortions.

Scientific Basis: Poor air quality measurably affects cognition and perception. VOCs from building materials can cause symptoms attributed to hauntings.

⚠️

Scientifically Questionable Methods

Unverified ▼

EMF (Electromagnetic Field) Meters for Spirit Detection

Using EMF detectors with the belief that ghosts generate or manipulate electromagnetic fields.

Questionable Because: While EMF meters accurately measure electromagnetic fields, there's no scientific evidence linking EMF fluctuations to preternatural activity. EMF changes typically result from electrical wiring, appliances, or solar activity.

EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena)

Recording audio in allegedly haunted locations and interpreting random noise patterns as spirit voices.

Questionable Because: Pareidolia (pattern recognition) causes people to hear words in random noise. No controlled study has demonstrated that EVPs represent actual communication rather than audio artifacts and psychological interpretation.

Spirit Photography/Video

Capturing images or video believed to show apparitions, orbs, or other paranormal manifestations.

Questionable Because: Most anomalies are explained by dust, insects, lens flares, camera artifacts, or long exposure effects. No photograph has been verified as genuinely preternatural under controlled conditions.

K-II Meter Communication

Using EMF meters with lights and asking spirits to trigger the lights to answer yes/no questions.

Questionable Because: These devices respond to any EMF source (cell phones, radio waves, electrical systems). There's no mechanism proven to allow consciousness to manipulate electromagnetic fields.

Temperature Drops as Spirit Indicators

Interpreting sudden cold spots as evidence of spirit presence.

Questionable Because: Cold spots have numerous natural explanations (drafts, poor insulation, evaporation). The hypothesis that spirits would need to absorb heat energy has no theoretical or empirical support.

Motion Sensors & Trigger Objects

Setting up motion-activated devices or placing objects (toys, balls) to detect spirit interaction.

Questionable Because: Motion sensors can be triggered by insects, air currents, or thermal changes. Object movement has natural explanations, and controlled studies show no paranormal influence.

Full-Spectrum Cameras

Using cameras modified to capture ultraviolet and infrared light, believed to reveal spirits invisible to the naked eye.

Questionable Because: While these cameras do capture different light spectra, there's no evidence that preternatural entities exist in these ranges. Anomalies are typically dust, insects, or heat signatures.

Laser Grids

Projecting grids of laser light to detect shadow figures or movement that disrupts the pattern.

Questionable Because: While visually impressive, disruptions are caused by insects, dust, or investigator movement. No methodology exists to distinguish "preternatural" interruptions from mundane ones.

Static Balloons

Using helium balloons with static charge, believing spirits will interact with them through electromagnetic influence or touch, causing movement.

Questionable Because: Balloon movement is easily caused by air currents, humidity changes, and static discharge from natural sources. No mechanism links consciousness to balloon manipulation.

SLS Cameras (Structured Light Sensors)

Using Xbox Kinect-style cameras that map 3D space with infrared, displaying stick figure overlays claimed to represent invisible spirits.

Questionable Because: These cameras detect depth and shapes, often creating false positives from furniture, reflections, or glitches. The technology wasn't designed for paranormal detection and has high error rates.

Geophones

Sensitive ground vibration sensors used to detect footsteps or movement attributed to spirits.

Questionable Because: While geophones accurately measure vibrations, they can't distinguish between preternatural and natural sources (pipes, animals, investigators, traffic). Attribution to spirits is assumption-based.

Thermal Imaging for Apparitions

Using infrared cameras to detect heat signatures or cold spots believed to be spiritual manifestations.

Questionable Because: Thermal cameras accurately show heat differences but these have mundane explanations (HVAC, body heat, insulation). No evidence supports the theory that spirits have measurable thermal signatures.

Shadow Detection Systems

Using motion-activated sensors or cameras specifically positioned to capture shadow movement attributed to entities.

Questionable Because: Shadows are created by blocking light sources. Any movement (investigators, animals, light source changes) creates shadows. No methodology distinguishes "preternatural" shadows from normal ones.

REM Pods / Rempods

Devices with antennas that light up and beep when the electromagnetic field around them is disturbed, supposedly by spirit approach.

Questionable Because: These respond to any EMF change including radio waves, cell phones, walkie-talkies, and body proximity. No evidence shows spirits can or do manipulate electromagnetic fields.

Mel Meters

Combined EMF and temperature meters that supposedly detect spirit presence through simultaneous field and temperature changes.

Questionable Because: While accurately measuring EMF and temperature, the device simply combines two measurements. The correlation between both changing and preternatural presence has no scientific support.

❌

Debunked or Pseudoscientific Methods

Not Valid ▼

Ouija Boards

Using a board with letters and numbers, where participants place fingers on a planchette that moves to spell messages attributed to spirits.

Debunked: The ideomotor effect (unconscious muscle movements) fully explains Ouija board movements. Blindfolded tests produce gibberish, proving no external intelligence is involved.

Dowsing Rods for Spirit Detection

Using L-shaped rods that supposedly move or cross when spirits are present.

Debunked: Dowsing has failed all controlled scientific tests. Rod movement is caused by the ideomotor effect. Studies show dowsers perform no better than chance.

Pendulum Divination

Holding a weighted string or chain that swings in response to spiritual energy or to answer questions.

Debunked: Like dowsing, pendulum movement results from unconscious hand movements (ideomotor effect). Performs at chance levels in blind tests.

Spirit Boxes / Ghost Boxes

Devices that rapidly scan radio frequencies, with users interpreting fragments of radio broadcasts as spirit communication.

Debunked: These devices only pick up radio transmissions. Pattern recognition and confirmation bias cause users to hear meaningful phrases in random audio fragments. Controlled studies show responses are random.

Table Tipping / Table Turning

Participants place hands on a table that allegedly moves or levitates due to spirit energy.

Debunked: Thoroughly debunked in the 1850s. Movement is caused by unconscious pressure from participants (ideomotor effect). Faraday demonstrated this scientifically in 1853.

Psychic Mediums

Individuals claiming to communicate directly with spirits or deceased persons.

Debunked: Controlled studies show mediums use cold reading, hot reading, and probability to create the illusion of communication. No medium has passed rigorous scientific testing.

Orb Photography as Spirit Evidence

Interpreting circular artifacts in photos as spirits or spirit energy.

Debunked: Orbs are caused by light reflecting off dust particles, water droplets, or insects near the camera lens. Easily reproduced in controlled settings with no paranormal component.

Ovilus / Ghost Translation Devices

Electronic devices claiming to convert environmental readings into words spoken by spirits.

Debunked: These use random word generators or word databases. The meaningful appearance of words is due to confirmation bias and the law of large numbers. No mechanism for spirit-to-device communication exists.

Séances

Gatherings where participants attempt to contact spirits through mediums, often in darkened rooms with rituals.

Debunked: Historical investigation revealed séances used tricks, confederates, and psychological manipulation. No séance has demonstrated genuine preternatural contact under controlled conditions.

Ghost Hunting Apps

Smartphone applications claiming to detect paranormal activity using phone sensors.

Debunked: These apps use random number generators or normal sensor readings with no validation. They're entertainment products with no investigative value.

Ectoplasm Photography

Historical practice of photographing supposed spirit matter manifesting during séances.

Debunked: Thoroughly exposed as fraud in the early 1900s. "Ectoplasm" was typically cheesecloth, soap, or other materials. No legitimate cases exist.

Automatic Writing

Holding a pen or pencil and allowing spirits to supposedly guide the hand to write messages.

Debunked: This is another manifestation of the ideomotor effect. The writer's unconscious mind produces the content. Blind tests show no external intelligence is involved.

Crystal/Gem Dowsing

Using crystals or gemstones suspended on chains, similar to pendulums, claimed to detect or communicate with spiritual energy.

Debunked: Like all dowsing methods, this relies on unconscious hand movements. Crystals have no proven ability to detect preternatural activity. Performs at chance in controlled tests.

Scrying (Mirror Gazing)

Staring into reflective surfaces (mirrors, crystal balls, water) to receive visions or see spirits.

Debunked: Extended mirror gazing causes optical illusions due to neural adaptation and the Troxler effect. Visions are hallucinations produced by the brain, not external entities.

Preternatural Pucks

Electronic devices with environmental sensors that convert readings into displayed words, supposedly spirit messages.

Debunked: These use pre-programmed word databases triggered by sensor thresholds or random number generation. Any meaningful output is confirmation bias and probability, not communication.

📖 Glossary of Terms

Preternatural

Natural phenomena that we don't yet fully understand. Used instead of "supernatural" to emphasize that unexplained events may have natural causes we haven't discovered yet.

Pareidolia

The tendency to perceive meaningful patterns (like faces or voices) in random stimuli. This is why we see shapes in clouds or hear words in static noise.

Ideomotor Effect

Unconscious muscle movements influenced by expectations or thoughts. Explains phenomena like Ouija board movement, dowsing rod motion, and pendulum swinging.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to search for, interpret, and recall information that confirms preexisting beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence.

Infrasound

Sound frequencies below 20 Hz, inaudible to humans but capable of causing eye vibrations, feelings of unease, and visual distortions often associated with "hauntings."

EMF (Electromagnetic Field)

A field produced by electrically charged objects. In investigations, EMF meters detect fields from wiring, appliances, and other electrical sources, not spirits.

EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena)

Sounds found in electronic recordings interpreted as spirit voices. Most are explained by radio interference, audio artifacts, and pareidolia.

Orbs

Circular artifacts in photographs caused by light reflecting off dust, moisture, or insects near the camera lens. Not evidence of spirits.

Cold Spots

Localized areas of cooler temperature. Usually caused by drafts, poor insulation, or HVAC airflow rather than supernatural presence.

Baseline Reading

Normal measurements of environmental conditions (temperature, EMF, sound) taken before investigation to establish what is typical for a location.

Anomaly

A deviation from normal or expected readings. Most anomalies have mundane explanations when properly investigated.

Debunking

The process of proving a claim false or identifying the true cause of a phenomenon. A legitimate part of scientific investigation, not an attack on beliefs.

Cold Reading

A technique used by supposed psychics to make accurate-seeming statements by using general information, observation, and probability.

Sleep Paralysis

A state between waking and sleeping where a person is conscious but unable to move, often accompanied by hallucinations and feelings of presence. Frequently mistaken for supernatural encounters.

Apophenia

The tendency to perceive connections and meaning between unrelated things. Related to pareidolia but applies to patterns and correlations rather than just sensory input.

Control Conditions

Standard scientific practice of testing under known conditions to compare against experimental results. Essential for ruling out alternative explanations.

💬 Feedback

Have suggestions for improving this resource? Know of methods we should add? Found an error in our descriptions? We'd love to hear from you.