ghost hunting kit

Although we've all seen it on the tv I think it's still worth listing some handy tools of the trade.  All of which are easy to get hold of and relatively cheap.


yourself
The best tool you could probably have is yourself, your senses are your true guide to picking up on anything unusual.

a medium
A medium is your way of communicating with any spirits you may come across. Many investigators will turn to a medium for assistance in their investigation, although it is not always necessary to have one in your group.

a torch
This is an essential, plus spare batteries, there is nothing worse than trying to find your way around an old building or outside in the middle of the night in the pitch black!

candles
Candles can be used to detect the presence of a spirit.  The flickering flame can indicate this with responses to questions being asked.  You must make sure there are no draughts that could cause the flickering. It is also a good idea to check with the owner of the building first if candles are allowed, as some of the older buildings contain expensive and original antiques and artefacts.

paper and trigger object
You may wish to conduct an experiment whereby you want to seal off a particular room so as to place a ‘trigger object’ (an object placed down on a flat solid surface on a plain sheet of paper, it is then drawn around and left alone with no one else in the room, at is usually a cross, or a bible, even an old coin will do.)  After some time returning to the room to see if the trigger object has moved.

flour
Again it is a good idea to ask the person who owns the property if flour can be used on the premises.  A light dusting of flour is spread on the ground or on a tabletop and then left to see if anything has been revealed, for example footprints or handprints.

notebook and pen
It’s always a good idea to make notes on the nights events. You can then refer back to then at a later date when collating your evidence.

thermometer
A thermometer is a must in any investigation as it can detect any fluctuation in the temperature.

emf meter
This is used to detect 'electro magnetic fields'. Paranormal investigator and parapsychologists both believe that spirits can affect the reading on the emf meter. Although all sources of electricity and cabling should be sought out first as these can have an effect on the readings.

walkie talkies
A good way to keep in contact if you are in a large building or you have split up into groups.

dowsing pendulum / rods
Pendulums are a weighted object attached to a piece of cord or string.  The weights can be wood, metal, or crystal.  You then ascertain which direction the pendulum will swing when responding to a yes or no question. Once this has been established you can then ask the pendulum questions relating to your investigation and spirit communication.

Dowsing rods are also used to detect the presence of spirits.  It is said spirit activity is most prominent where ley lines may be present.

camera
Cameras are an invaluable tool to have.  If it’s a digital camera you can download them to a computer and make files of your investigations and the evidence you have got.

tape recorder
This is a good item of equipment to have if you are doing a séance or left in a room where no one else can interfere with what the recorder may pick up.  Tape recorders pick up 'EVP' (electronic voice phenomena), this is where the voices of spirits have communicated or tried to make contact with the living world.

a dog
Dogs are very sensitive to perceiving the presences of spirits.  They could give you and indication that there are presences or a presence around by acting oddly.  They could growl or snarl at seemingly nothing, or they may cower and shy away.  Again its essential that you ask the owner of the property if it possible to allow a dog to be brought into the building.