Don’t all ghost hunters and investigators work with a team? No. As a matter of fact, before shows like Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures aired in the early 2000s, it was common for some of the most notable paranormal investigators to work solo or with a few assistants.
Prior to social media and the internet, it wasn’t as easy to connect with others in the field. Classifieds, social groups, and local events were how you found people willing to team up. In some areas, would-be ghost hunters didn’t even have those. On the off chance you did find willing partners, the logistics were harder than they are today.
I’ve worked with and ran teams. Personally, I’ve come to prefer working solo. It allows me to focus on cases and experiments without having to worry about others’ availability. But, as many of you could guess, there are some safety concerns. You have to be a little more careful when you work alone.
Vet Everyone
The easiest way to avoid a bad situation is to avoid it all together. When you get a call or the friend of a friend of a fifth cousin twice removed’s old cell mate referral, you need to check them out.
The initial phone conversation is going to be a quick 5-15 minute call that sets up the rest of your process. I weed out a few people here, but most make it to the next interview. During this initial call, look for inconsistencies in the story and all the things you would normally be on the lookout for. I also make sure to get contact info, addresses, email, numbers, and ask about substance abuse, mental health, and social media accounts. Then I shoot over my intake form, and start my forensic Google.
I check their social media to see what groups they are a part of. I conduct deep web searches using database tools and online public records. Some sources I use often are:
- Been Verified Comprehensive Report (database)
- Social Media Profiles
- Local session and criminal court records (county public record website)
- Federal Bureau of Prisons and State Inmate Checker (national and state public record websites)
Look for anything that could indicate violence, chronic drug use, or anything that would point to a risk to your safety. For example if a person has several charges for domestic assault against partners and battery against women and you’re a female investigator, I’d pass on the case. Or if the person has filed a ton of junk lawsuits or police reports, I would turn down the file due to the liability.
Once all that is finished, I do a face to face interview though Zoom or in a pubic location like Starbucks. During this meeting, I question the person forward and backward, look for inconsistency, and see what they are like when they are questioned. You’d be surprised what can come out.
A few years ago, I had a gentleman referred to me who seemed pretty straight forward. His background had a few inconsistencies, but they were things that could have been embarrassing or uncomfortable to share with a stranger. During our face to face, he got agitated that he was being questioned. His story changed and he added more details. Finally after some pressure, he stated that the real issue was several famous actors and pop stars were following him and astral projecting into his home to harass him. He admitted to being on, but refusing to take his medication, and was seeing a therapist that diagnosed him with a severe mental condition.
I declined the case and urged him to get help.
Get Everything in Writing
Once you take a case, you’ll probably be on location at least 3-4 times. More if activity is verified. Make sure you have a document signed by the home owner that gives you the right to be there. Even after vetting them, clients can surprise you. All it take is saying something they disagree with to set them off. Depending on their mental state they may even call the police, in which case that document can save you one hell of a headache.
Record Everything
Those cameras aren’t just for ghosts. If there is an altercation or accusation, those files could keep you out of hot water. If it’s in your budget, get a body worn camera and keep it on at all times.
Exercise Basic Personal Protection
Let someone know where you are going and share your location. If anything happens, they can share the info with the police. Also keep your eyes open for anything that indicates something is going sideways. If it feels off get out.
I also recommend, if allowed by law, keeping pepper spray or a small stun device concealed, just in case.
You’ll notice, I didn’t talk about protection and safety from supernatural forces. There’s a reason for that. They are very rarely a real threat to your safety. The biggest threat will always be the physical location itself and the living humans inside.
In my next post, we’ll get more into the supernatural elements of investigation on your own.
