FIELD GLOSSARY
A
Analysis
A phase in an investigation where the investigators review every piece of evidence captured during the investigation phase of the case.
Apparition
The visual appearance of a disembodied spirit. It doesn’t necessarily take on a human shape or show signs of personality or intelligence.
C
Cold Spots
Self-contained patches of cool air strewn about haunted locations. They may be ghosts that cannot fully materialize.
Collective Apparition
When more than one person witnesses a ghost or spirit phenomenon, independently or simultaneously, it is classed as a collective apparition. Nearly ten percent of reported cases of apparitions fall into this category, and once fraud has been ruled out, they are more likely to be genuine sightings.
D
Debunk
Debunk, or Debunking is the act of an investigator finding natural explinations to paranormal claims.
Demonic Haunt
A class of haunting that involves an entity that is believed to be a demon and not a human spirit. These are classed as very dangerous.
Disembodied Voice
A voice heard by a person that has no physical origin.
E
EMF
EMF (Electromagnetic Field), is a form of energy that is believed to be used by a possible entity to manifest itself.
Entity
A conscious, interactive ghost. See Intelligent haunt.
EVP
EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena), is the voice of a possible entity caught on a voice recorder but not heard by an investigator during the EVP Session.
F
Fear Cage
An area in a location which is surrounded by high levels of EMF. Known to cause nausea, paranoia, and in some cases hallucinations. This is also known as EMF Poisoning.
Full Body Apparition
An apparition that manifests itself physically in full form from head to toe.
Fun House Effect
A situation involving an uneven foundation, or uneven ground causing mild nausea, and dizzyness.
H
Haunting
Any repeated appearance of phenomena commonly associated with ghosts, spirits, or poltergeists. Usually a combination of cold spots, apparitions, missing objects, and other forms of paranormal activity that tend to be witnessed by more than one person over an extended period of time.
Hot-Spot
A site within a haunted location where the activity is prominent.
I
Infrared
An invisble spectrum of light that is widely used by nightvision cameras.
Intelligent Haunt
A haunting in which a spiritual entity is aware of the living world and interacts with or responds to it. Also known a "Classic" or "Traditional" haunt.
Investigation
The phase where investigators use equipment and techniques to collect evidence of paranormal activity. Also this phase is used to find natural explinations to claims as well.
M
Manifestation
The tangible signs of a haunting, including tactile, auditory, olfactory, and visual. These can be measured in an investigation and can be used to support the evidence that a place is indeed haunted.
P
Paranormal
Anything out of the normal range of explanation. Term is usually used in conjunction with ghosts and other phenomena that cannot be explained by traditional scientific theories and hypothesis.
Pareidolia
Also known as "Brain Matrix", is a psychological phenomenon where an individual see objects such as faces in patterns.
Poltergiest
German for "Noisy Ghost", Poltergiest is a type of activity an entity can manifest itself in. This involves moving and throwing objects, as well as making loud noise like tapping or thumping.
Primary Readings
The initial measurements of energy taken at a haunted location, used for establishing an investigation's direction. Also known as "Baseline Readings".
Provoking
A technique where an investigator becomes overly aggressive or overly sympathetic to provoke the possible entity to manifest itself. This is a dangerous practice if not conducted properly.
R
Residual Haunt
A class of paranormal activity which does not involve an actual human spirit like the Intelligent Haunt. A Residual involves a moment in time which repeats itself continuely. This can include a tragic death such as a suicide or murder.
Reveal
The Final Phase of a case where evidence gathered during the investigation is shown to the clients and a determination of the location is made.
S
Shadow Figure
A form in which an entity manifests itself as a dark figure either humanoid or organic.
Shadow Play
Where shadows are cast by lights of a natural origin.
T
Trigger Object
An object used in the field which a possible entity can recognize or identify with. For example bringing a doll to an investigation when there are claims of a female child haunting the location.
U
Ultraviolet
Another spectrum of light that is invisible to the human eye. This spectrum is used in Full-Spectrum lightning to possibly capture an entity on photo.