Written By Richard Caminiti
Founder: The Fayetteville Paranormal Research Association
I have been interested in paranormal research since I can remember. My first experience was when I was approximately ten, which fueled my thirst to learn all I can. It also helped that my father was a Paranormal Researcher as well during an age of “don’t talk about it!” It was almost as if it was a secret society.
Back to the point (sorry, I get scatterbrained sometimes!)
As RCPSKC Rick from Mypara.net said in his recent post; (I hope you don’t mind using your phrase Rick): “I’m always seeing posts declaring that the paranormal community is one big family. How we should support and help each other.”
I agree one hundred and ten percent. We should be and those that do are wonderful people to work with. Unfortunately, after the “Paranormal Boom” brought about by Ghost Hunters, it seems so many startup groups have arrived on the scene claiming that they are the best when it comes to “hunting ghosts”. Simulating what you see on television is NOT ghost hunting! While some of the methodology that my group uses has been seen on television, it is not the end all. We do not “hunt” ghosts. It makes us look like Elmer Fudd. We look for cause and effect.
I’m only speaking for myself here, but this is dangerous. Not only to their team but to the client as well that has placed trust in you.
Only experience can guide you through the intricacies of the initial interview of the client, the walk through, the investigation and ultimately the disclosure of your findings. A client is NOT a public haunted area that anyone gets to investigate (i.e. Rolling Hills, etc)
Your client may indeed be going through a family crisis that you find yourself involved in and sometimes over your head. Children may be involved and bothered. Adults may have personality changes. Many of these things can be explained, but not recognized unless you know what to look for and the correct questions to ask.
This is where the “pride” factor needs to go and ask more experienced investigators for help. Any investigator worth their weight will not deny you help, nor will they try and take over your case.
My suggestions to the newcomers; (Once again, my opinion)
There is no money in investigations, never charge a client. It’s not ethical and the charging of money could be looked at as the client will get to hear what they want to hear instead of the truth. (i.e. “your house is haunted” rather than “Sorry, the banging is a loose copper pipe”)
Know your client and interview them at length. Understand their psyche.
Understand you may be facing something you have never faced before (not the dead, the living)
ASK for help from a reputable group!
And stop claiming to be the best, you aren’t! I’m not and I know it. There are many people I go to for help when needed, including but not limited to Counselors, Nurses, and even a Doctor.
And one last thing; please don’t bring personal experiences / encounters to the table as evidence because it just isn’t.
For the rest of us here, I don’t think we have to worry about the turf wars, those that are all about that, will soon burn themselves out sooner rather than later.
I know there are a lot of things that I missed here, feel free to add
Until next time,
Rich
