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Just thorwing some things out there to see where they fall…
The popular question of implementing standardization in the field of Paranormal Investigation is a very good question indeed.
“Who Shall set the standards and a code of ethics?”
It is not hard to determine what to do. To whom the task goes of coming up with the procedures doesn’t really matter either. I think anyone could do it. Implementing and getting those serious enough to follow the standards set will be the test of whether Paranormal Investigation will continue to be a fad, a game for people to play in their free time, or serious field of study. I am afraid that without some sort of set rules or standards the field of Paranormal Investigation will never be taken seriously by the majority.
Although there is an opposition to standardization I personally do not see problems with it. I see it as bringing the serious individuals or groups to the forefront of the field. It is correct that many seem to have their own ideas, protocols and procedures and that just as many have no idea of how to proceed. I think those are good reasons for standardization. To have a standard for the collection of information and giving the rest the know-how to conduct a formal investigation. This will not preclude anyone from doing things their own way. I just gives people a path to follow if they choose. This is also not meant for the average Ghost Hunter. No one wants to stifle the Ghost Hunter because we need them. They are the ones that have the time to run around looking for things. They are the ones that come up with the clues the paranormal investigator uses to determine whether or not there is actually something to investigate. Well, that's what an investigator is supposed to do anyway.
Investigation is already a science and has tried and true methods for the collection of information and the determination and classification of evidence. It is just a matter of adapting them to paranormal investigation. I agree about the path of the certified ghost hunter. I understand how some feel about the certificate mills out there pumping out the “Certified Ghost Hunter” certificates by people who aren’t qualified to do so but there is a perk to having a standard. No one need be “certified”, if they follow the set standard.
Let’s look at it like cooking. If they just throw a bunch of things in a bowl and mix it up. What do they really have? All I see they have is the hope it will turn out well or at the minimum, into something useable. Then when it doesn’t, they try again and again with no positive results. Then after a while, of the many times they tried, it comes out just the way they had hoped. Then they realize they haven’t followed any set standard or procedure so they won’t be able to duplicate their efforts to obtain the same result.
However, if they went by a recipe it will always turn out the same. Even though everyone may not like what they made, they will all have to agree and accept the way they obtained the result.
Standardization will help give everyone that recipe. Sure, not everyone will use it or adhere to the standards but I think the ones that do will be ahead of those that don’t and be the first recognized for their efforts.
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I'm glad that you brought this up. One of the things I wanted to ask you about was the fallibility of human memory. I would imagine that this is an issue in any type of investigation – whether it is paranormal or something else. As soon as we receive information, we filter it through our own beliefs and agendas. Two people could write something down the very second that they observed the same thing, and those descriptions may not match. How does investigative technique adjust for this?
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I'm not really for any kind of standardization in this field. If everyone is doing the same thing and we are still getting it wrong then we will never find anything. It's going to take a really serious person thinking really outside of the box to get us that little nudge in the right direction that will allow us to finally be able to prove the paranormal to the masses. Otherwise a century from now the next generation will still be using IR cameras with EMF detectors walking around dark buildings.
I posted elsewhere, I can't remember if it's here or some other paranormal forum, that standardization between paranormal groups will practically be impossible. There is a group called the National Fire Protection Association that has been around since 1896, their aim is to create standardization between the fire departments in the US. They still don't have anywhere near to be 100% compliance with the fire depts here and they have been around for 113 years. Most of the volunteer fire departments could care less about them since their codes and rules would too much of a burden for a small volunteer fire department.
So if it can't happen with something big and important like a fire department then I doubt it would take off for something we only do as a hobby. Give this field about 5 years after the paranormal TV show fad is over and see what kind of groups remain.
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I'm glad that you brought this up. One of the things I wanted to ask you about was the fallibility of human memory. I would imagine that this is an issue in any type of investigation – whether it is paranormal or something else. As soon as we receive information, we filter it through our own beliefs and agendas. Two people could write something down the very second that they observed the same thing, and those descriptions may not match. How does investigative technique adjust for this?
You are absolutely correct. Even the eye witness to a crime cannot be relied on 100% any detective will tell you that. What is needed is corroborating testimony. Corroborating testimony etc., is what is needed before it can be classified as evidence to build a case. Until then they are merely clues that need to be put together like a puzzle. This is where I get into the difference between Ghost Hunting and Paranormal Investigation. An investigator can’t afford to rely on any one piece of information. They must build on it. One item by itself is nothing.
You stated it very well when you said they “filter” it through their own beliefs. The test of an investigator is that they cannot let their own beliefs influence a case. They can use them as an investigative tool (“filtering”) but cannot let them rule the facts.
Example: You find a knife. You have nothing. There is blood on the knife. Interesting but not much better. Blood typed to be human. Now we are getting somewhere but could just be an accident. DNA tested to be matched with a missing person. Now you have a case, but… That is just the very beginning of the case. There is a lot of work to really investigating a case which is why a lot of people like to just ghost hunt. I will say it again, it isn't for everyone.
Please excuse the rambling. My point is that standardization will form the basis for gathering information. It will not tell you how to run your investigations but to guide you in obtaining the information. In reference to your question I myself take witness statements of everyone involved. I interview them and have them do a written statement also.
Now I have my notes and their statement. I can compare them and go back to them to clarify the things that don’t match, etc. The investigative technique for making up the shortcomings of the fallibility of human memory is right at every investigators fingertips. Interview and re-interview until you are satisfied. I have interviewed the same person dozens of times. That is how we get confessions. You have heard of Beating a Dead Horse? Well we beat the horse until we are sure he is dead and then beat him again. Weird analogy but you get the point.
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It's going to take a really serious person thinking really outside of the box to get us that little nudge in the right direction that will allow us to finally be able to prove the paranormal to the masses. Otherwise a century from now the next generation will still be using IR cameras with EMF detectors walking around dark buildings.
Well again, I'm not sure this is about standardizing equipment, ideas, and such, but just to standardize the methods on how to investigate, but not on what to use to investigate. Some examples may be:
1)You must test your electronic equipment outside of known paranormal environments against a certain set of objects that may cause interference
2)If there are multiple groups at one location, only one group in the same physical place at one time
3)Client statements should be recorded and filed away and possibly stored online in a repository for other teams in the same standards organization to use
4)Clients should be on the premises with the team at all times
5)Investigators must be professionals while on "the job" at all times
6)While collecting evidence, the original must be kept along with the modified version (ie. EVP's that are slowed down to better "hear the words" must be accompanied with one at the speed of what was recorded when filed away)
7)Personal/Team websites with links from a public page are not considered being "filed away"
8)Any contamination of evidence is considered bad evidence unless the contamination can be removed without modifying any part of the anomalies that the evidence is meant to present
These are just a few, but I'm sure there are more that may be offered from people with experience in this field.
here is a group called the National Fire Protection Association that has been around since 1896, their aim is to create standardization between the fire departments in the US. They still don't have anywhere near to be 100% compliance with the fire depts here and they have been around for 113 years.
ISO 9000 has been around for only a couple of decades if that, and so many companies and different industries have adopted this that now it is normal for ISO 9000 certification is mandatory in contracts. It costs companies a lot of money and man-hours, however the product quality is increased many times over.
If there were a governing body for these standards that was ran by experienced paranormal investigators that were open to input from members then I think that this would help the field immensely.
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ISO 9000 is for companies and stuff that make a product to sell. Fire departments don't make profits. It cost money to join the NFPA and abide by it's rules. That's the main reason why most volunteer fire departments don't join.
I see most paranormal groups being like the fire department, they aren't in it for the profit.
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ISO 9000 has been around for only a couple of decades if that, and so many companies and different industries have adopted this that now it is normal for ISO 9000 certification is mandatory in contracts. It costs companies a lot of money and man-hours, however the product quality is increased many times over.
Oh well thanks for making me think of ISO9000. God I hate that standard. What a nightmare it was to work with.
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ISO 9000 is for companies and stuff that make a product to sell. Fire departments don't make profits. It cost money to join the NFPA and abide by it's rules. That's the main reason why most volunteer fire departments don't join.
I see most paranormal groups being like the fire department, they aren't in it for the profit.
I don't think anyone asked anyone to pay money, and the standards do not have to cost anything to be a part of. The many RFC's that computer networking follows don't cost anything to adhere to or even display as such, but are just standards for the industry to follow.
ISO 9000 aren't for just companies selling products, but that was the original intent of course. As I said it now spans many different industries. My point is that a standards body can certainly catch on if done right.
Oh well thanks for making me think of ISO9000. God I hate that standard. What a nightmare it was to work with.
You're telling me. I'm a QA/QE guy.
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You're telling me. I'm a QA/QE guy.
You have my sympathies. I used to write ISO9000 documentation. Not exactly an exciting application of my craft.
Oh well thanks for making me think of ISO9000. God I hate that standard. What a nightmare it was to work with.
I know, we were just audited at our company, and for a week before trying to get all our documents together was a PITA.
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I know, we were just audited at our company, and for a week before trying to get all our documents together was a PITA.
Blech. I am so grateful I no longer have to deal with that ISO9000 stuff. I'm getting stressed out just thinking of it!!
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For the most part, I think there is already a pretty good set of standards in the paranormal community – such as what 'orbs' are (to use everyone's favorite example, yet again), but even with a particular set of standards, there will always be those who don't agree, or who believe in a different set of standards and what those should be allowed to encompass. It's just too large of a tent, in my opinion.
On a personal level, I've seen first-hand the type of "cult mentality" and its vicious attitude when it comes to certificates and the like. As I stated in my opinion above, you'll also have people who disagree with their curriculum, too – free or not.
I think what would work best is to come up with a way to determine which type of mindset resembles the closest to yours/your group's and to form a type of coalition or something similar. Putting too strict of a set of standards, while it may be meant to be a good thing, might actually be more harmful than good…
People and groups should be judged on their professionalism more than what type of standards they follow. I just don't think the paranormal field in any respect will ever be taken seriously by those outside of it, but there's very little one can say if an individual or group has a solid history of professionalism to fall back on.
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