Terminology

While reading reports on this site you may come across terms you may be unfamiliar with, or descriptions of equipment you may not know exists, so we try here to include some of the commonplace abbreviations and terms we use in reports.

Equipment

EMF Meter - is a scientific instrument for measuring electromagnetic fields (abbreviated as EMF). Most meters measure the electromagnetic radiation flux density (DC fields) or the change in an electromagnetic field over time (AC Fields).

K-II Meter - Another device used in EMF detection, but also used as a visual aid in attempted communication with Spirits, where an investigator may ask a spirit to attempt to change the EMF by touching or approaching the K2.

Tri-Field Meter - Another device which measures EMF, in this case it measures all three of the axis of EMF radiation including that which comes from geomagnetic sources from the Earth.

Hydrogen Sulfide Detector - Allow investigators to determine if the substance associated with "rotten egg smell," is present. In many case of alleged Demonics, a rotten egg smell or garbage smell is present. This device can debunk the demonic hauntings if there is a presence of hydrogen sulfide.

Geiger Counter - Monitors changes in atmospheric radiation. Another monitoring tool of atmospheric conditions in relation to the potential of spirit activity.

EM Pump (Electromagnetic Pump) - A device which creates an EMF field where there otherwise wasn't one originally. Used to experiment whether or not detectable paranormal activity may occur in EMF fields, including monitoring by other devices such as DVR's and Digital Recorders.

Rem Pod - A device which acts as an EM pump as described as above but also senses any disturbance within the EMF it projects. Again believed by paranormal investigators to be indicative of spirit presence or activity.

An infrared thermometer is a thermometer which infers temperature from a portion of the thermal radiation sometimes called black body radiation emitted by the object being measured.

FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) Device - The sensors installed in forward-looking infrared cameras, as well as those of other thermal imaging cameras that use detection of infrared radiation, typically emitted from a heat source (thermal radiation), to create a "picture" assembled for video output.

Mel Meter-8704 - The 'Mel Meter is a dual purpose combination unit that measures both EMF and Temperature simultaneously. The tool was designed by Gary Galka. Gary lost his daughter, Melissa in a car accident. The device is named after his daughter 'Mel' and the model number is her year of birth 87 & her year of passing 04.

Digital Recorders - In digital recording, digital audio are directly recorded to a storage device as a stream of discrete numbers, representing the changes in air pressure (sound) for audio through time, thus making an abstract template for the original. Used by the paranormal investigator to capture EVP's on investigations which may determine if spirit activity is present and if it is residual or intelligent.

The "Spirit Box" - Is an experimental device, usually an AM/FM radio which has been altered no to stop while scanning radio frequencies (sometimes called the "Shack-Hack") which has been used with a degree of success in which during a spirit communication will manipulate the scan to stop on certain words

Ovilus Device - is an electronic speech-synthesis device which utters pre-programmed words depending on environmental readings, including electromagnetic waves. The device was created by Bill Chappell, a retired electronics engineer interested in the paranormal who creates devices for ghost hunting.

Digital Video Recording System (DVR) - In digital recording, digital video are directly recorded to a storage device as a stream of discrete numbers, representing the changes in chroma and luminescence values for video through time, making an abstract template for the original moving image.

"All Spectrum Cameras" - Cameras which are modified to capture all spectrums of light to include both the infrared and ultra-violet spectrums, in the belief that spirits may actually appear in those spectrums.

Mini Mag - Used experimentally to communicate with spirits. Also great too for finding your way around in the dark!

Paranormal Speak

Measurements

EMF is an abbreviation for Electromagnetic Field, often believed in the paranormal field to "detect" the presence of spirits or ghosts, or provide an energy to feed off of. Conversely EMF is believed to cause some symptoms in people which can have them think they are seeing ghosts, feel presences, etc.

Electromagnetic fields can be generated by AC or DC currents. An EMF meter can measure AC electromagnetic fields, which are usually emitted from man-made sources such as electrical wiring,

As most electromagnetic fields encountered in everyday situation are those generated by household or industrial appliances, the majority of EMF meters available are calibrated to measure 50 and 60 Hz alternating fields (the frequency of US and European mains electricity).

If Temperature Fluctuations occur paranormal investigators often look for sudden drops in temperature or "cold spots" as to the possibility of a spirit or ghost being present. These cold spots however, are considered to be ambient temperature changes.

EVP

EVP is simply an abbreviation for Electronic Voice Phenomena, which are voices caught on recording devices which occur during spirit communication sessions, which are not heard by the human ear. It is unknown if the voices occur due to being out of range of human hearing, or the device being manipulated by such spirits.

Skeptics suggest it may be the phenomena of pareidolia, (sometimes called matrixing) a psychological phenomenon involving a vague and random stimulus (often an image or sound) being perceived as significant. Such as a noise being actually a voice or an image being a face. However, with our experiences with EVPs, we have learned that this is not the case.

Conversely a Disembodied Voice is similar to an EVP except the major difference is a disembodied voice is actually heard by the investigator as it occurs whereas an EVP is only heard on the recorder.

There are several classification types of EVP's:

Class A - This EVP is clear and high quality. Does not need much if any amplification.
Class B - This is the most common type of EVP. EVP is of lower quality than a Class A EVP but still understandable.
Class C - The lowest quality EVP. A Class C EVP amplification may not be sufficient to make the sound clear.

Investigation Sessions

An EVP Session is a spirit communication session, in which digital recorders are used to elicit a response to the recorder.

Occasionally sessions will be used either using the Ovilus device or a Ghost Box device, appropriately names a Ghost Box Session or Ovilus Session, all attempting to elicit some sort of documentable spirit communication.

Also a Flashlight Experiment is a test in which spirit communication is attempted using a "yes and no" type of questioning and seeing if a response from a placed flashlight occurs. Usually, asking the spirit to turn the flashlight on for an affirmative response.
Some skeptics state that this is just a battery arc, or perhaps changes in atmospheric pressure allowing this phenomena to occur.
However from our tests, we have observed flashlights not acting this way until questioning begins and ceasing when questioning ceases. We have used different types of flashlights and multiple flashlights in the past.

Haunting Types

An Intelligent Haunting is a type of haunting in which the spirit or spirits are present respond to the living's stimuli. Evidence of such would be for example, an EVP with a direct response to a question.

A Residual Haunting is type of haunting in which spirit activity is basically a reenactment of some sort of event or time. One such example is EVPs which have a conversation going not relevant to living stimuli.

A Poltergeist literally is German for "noisy ghost," and is a type of ghost or other supernatural being supposedly responsible for physical disturbances such as loud noises and objects moved around or destroyed. Most accounts of poltergeists describe movement or levitation of objects, such as furniture and cutlery, or noises such as knocking on doors.

Poltergeists have also been claimed to be capable of pinching, biting, hitting and tripping people.. Originally thought to be caused by an individual (usually an adolescent female), many times this type of activity turns out to be of demonic in nature.

Demonic Hauntings are the most dangerous and rarest form of haunting. Many times demonic hauntings may begin as intelligent hauntings which can escalate into poltergeist like activity. A person, usually, and unintentionally invites a demonic entity into their lives.

There are three stages to a demonic haunting.

Infestation - At this level the demon will start using what may seem like typical intelligent haunting signs. The demon may present itself as the ghost of a loved one or even an angel. The point is to gain trust, so the demonic may influence the person and finally take full control. Some signs of demonic infestation include rapping’s, shadows and shadow like figures that move with no explanation, the sounds of footsteps, weird liquids the seep through the floor or walls.
Oppression - When an individual is under demonic oppression the demon starts to effect the person psychologically, psychically and emotionally. The purpose is to cause the individual to give up the fight or will to live and condemn their soul.
Possession - When an individual hits this level it is called full possession. The demon or devil now has control over the individual's thoughts, emotions and behavior. The evil is frequently in charge if not constantly. If or when the person is in control of their body they usually hear evil voices either threatening them or telling them what to do at all times.

Removal of a demonic haunting, in the final stages requires the use of ordained clergy in which they will perform an Exorcism, where they invoke the deity of their religious background to expel such demon. If performed by a non-clergy member or in certain faiths, it is referred to as a Deliverance. The term versus exorcism is semantics to many.

If a demonic haunting is caught early enough it may just require a House Blessing, in which either an ordained or non-ordained individual may recite prayers or ceremony to their respective deity to remove any evil presence from the residence or property. If unsuccessful, it may require a Cleansing, which is basically an exorcism of a house, residence or property.