True paranatural research is more than just getting a couple friends together, having a few beers, grabbing a Polaroid, and heading to a cemetery. While this can be a lot of fun, especially on a dark Halloween night, it should not be confused with true research. Every group out there will do things a tad differently and we are no exception. Some groups go out with the intent to debunk a haunting at all costs; others go out believing so strongly in the haunting that the evidence is unnecessary. We are neither. All of our members have had some sort of paranormal experiences in their lives, which is one of the main reasons that they have gotten into this hobby. That said, we still try to approach each location, each situation,as an open-minded skeptic. Despite slightly different definitions of what a "ghost" or a "haunting" may be, there are certain guidelines that we believe each group must follow if they are to be taken seriously in this field..so, here they are.

1. Never, ever, ever trespass to conduct an investigation. Nothing gives ghost researchers a worse reputation than this. If it is private property, get SIGNED permission and be prepared to give signed liability release forms to the owner. If they say no, then give them your card, thank them for their time, and let them know that they can contact you later if they change their mind. If it is public property, make sure you know the trespassing laws that govern it after certain hours or on certain days. Contact the city or county agency responsible for that property and, again, get SIGNED permission. It is also a good idea to notify local law enforcement so that they are aware your group will be there. The main reason for getting signed permission is in case the police show up, it is an easy way to prove that you have the right to be there.

2. Be professional before, during, and after a hunt. This includes not wearing black capes, drinking alcohol before or during the hunt, not cursing during a hunt, not pulling pranks during a hunt, ect. Many times if you are contacted to do a hunt, especially in a private residence, people are frightened and are searching for help or answers. Acting calmly and professionally will help give them a sense of peace. Remember, we are the guests in these locations.

3. Respect confidentiality! Names and addresses should not be released without the owner's written permission. Too many individuals wwho see an address will start showing up asking questions or asking to hunt. All personal information should be kept in a safe place and should not be discussed in public or outside of the group. This includes friends and family members who are not in the group. Also, do not assume that because one group has done a hunt at a location that the location is open for all to hunt there. Again, get permission.

4. Always do at least 1 daylight survey of the location, for your team's safety. Take the time to do research and map the place out before you get there for the hunt. Besides making the hunt go smoother, it can prevent unnecessary trips to the Emergency Room or costly damage to the property. RESEARCH IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE HUNT ITSELF. Take the time to do it properly and document it. Be sympathetic when doing interviews, but stay objective. Do not ask leading questions.

5. Keep it clean. Treat a hunt like a camping trip to a national park..whatever you pack in, you pack out. As a final act to complete the hunt, take time to walk around and make sure all the equipment has been collected and there is no trash anywhere.

6. No smoking on a hunt. Seriously. Some of us smoke, but not on an investigation. Even if you are outdoors, cigarette smoke can show up as anomalies in photos, create "odd" smells, and can be a fire hazard. If you are working at a residence, even if you smoke outside, the smell can stay on your person when you come back into the building. Homeowners may not appreciate it.

7. Don't try to play shaman and promise to "clear" a residence unless you have had proper training. Clearing spirits can be extremely difficult, if not impossible. Promises like that can give false hope to someone that may be desperate, and it has been known to make a haunting worse. Direct clients back to the faith of their choice. Their strength of belief is important for the clearing to work and it is best served by them reaching out to their own belief system. Just because that belief system may not match that of the investigators is irrelevant. You are there to investigate, not clear the space.

8. Never go anywhere alone. Investigators should stay in groups of twos or threes. Evidence collected alone is worthless. It is also a good idea to request that there be as few "non-investigative" people there as possible. Primary interviews should be done as part of the case research so there is no need for the whole family to be present.

9. When posting "evidence" be objective. (No more Orb photos, they no longer carry real credibility in this field or with the public.) If possible, go back to the location and try to re-create the event to look for a natural explanation. If you have evidence and do not try and debunk it, it is proof of nothing. There is so much crap out there that people are holding up as "proof" but they have not investigated it. Include the investigation notes with the evidence, so that people can have all the information.

10. Get back to the owners with the results. Give them a copy of the reports for their own files. Even if it is a public location, make an effort to thank the people who gave you permission to be there at night. If nothing else, send them a Thank You card. It can make it easier to get back to the location a second time.