Investigative Protocol: The Key to Quality Investigations
No legal or illegal drugs: It is imperative to be at your very best while on an investigation. No alcohol or other mind altering drugs before or during investigations. By taking drugs, whether they are legal or not, anything you might see, hear, or feel loses credibility. Thus, certain prescription medications, alcohol, illegal drugs and cigarette smoking should not be done on investigations. One final note on smoking: Smoking during an investigation, especially during a photo session can create false positive images that appear as mists or ectoplasm.
No trespassing: This is a fairly simple rule with fairly simple consequences. Trespassing is against the law and will get you arrested if you're caught. No one wants to stamp that kind of stigma on their team therefore you should always get permission to investigate a location-preferably in writing.
No stealing or vandalism: Another simple rule with clear consequences. It is imperative to respect the property of other people. In doing so, you present yourself and your team in a dignified manner.
Maintain equipment: Before an investigation you should always ensure that all equipment is in good working order. Likewise batteries should be replaced often. Arriving at a location and having equipment break down because it was not properly maintained can cause quite a bit of frustration as well as costly return trips to repeat the process.
Take notes: It is important to remember that tape recording doesn't always work. Don't speak all of your notes into a recorder and count on it being there when you review the evidence! Take notes always!
Never go anywhere alone: This rule serves a dual purpose-if anything happens to you, you will have someone with you to help you or when you witness anything you will have someone there to collaborate your experiences.
Wear long hair pulled back: Investigators with long hair should always tie it back in an effort to prevent false positive photos.
Do not wear perfumes or colognes: Sometimes spirits make their presence known by scent. Thus, investigators should not wear perfumes or colognes to avoid confusion.
Photographic Protocol:
Avoiding orbs and other anomalies of natural origin: Many teams insist that photos are not to be taken in unfavorable weather (outdoors only), dusty areas, and/or near reflective surfaces. Although not all reflective surfaces can be avoided, you shouldn't deliberately take photos of anything that may reflect light. Such areas often create orbs of natural origin or contaminate photographic evidence altogether. Likewise, camera straps
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