Ouija: on Investigations there will be No Ouija Boards or other actions open to fraud or micro muscular movement

Alcohol: Scottish Paranormal’s no Alcohol stance will be enforced. Anybody drinking before Investigation Will not be admitted to the investigation. Anybody found drinking alcohol on investigation will be escorted off the investigation.

Drugs: Scottish Paranormal no Drugs stance will be enforced. Anybody taking Non prescription Drugs (Prescription – prescribed for a medical condition by a doctor or for symptoms such as hay fever / headache etc) before Investigation Will not be admitted to the investigation. Anybody found taking Drugs (as above) on investigation will be escorted off the investigation.

Note Taking : meticulous note taking to be undertaken throughout. It is the responsibility of everyone to record details. Notes to be recorded on official Scottish Paranormal note paper, to be collected at the end of the investigation. All information remains intellectual property of Scottish Paranormal.

Non Compliance : Anybody refusing to comply with the set out Scottish Paranormal policies, and having been warned about their behaviour but persisting, will be removed from the investigation.

Conduct Base test walk-through with electronic equipment identify potential areas and locate cables and other Emf producing equipment.

All Details from above to be noted in investigation log before investigation begins.

Conduct hazard check for Cables, Water pipes, low beams bad steps…

One member of the team appointed as medical officer, everyone aware of this and location of medical kit.

Set up investigation.

Place all EVP, Beam alarms and experimental equipment at set areas of interest.

To be done some time, 1 – 2 hours perhaps, before investigations so that the natural ambience returns to a normal state

Decision made on the areas to be researched with extended vigils as a whole team and smaller groups.

Teams assembled and recorded in log.

Appointed teams to stay together with One individual in charge of team. No unauthorised wandering off alone.

Teams to be kept in touch via walkie talkie (team leaders)

Location of Safe room / coffee area / rest area to be decided – this will not be investigated, light will be kept on.

Ensure that all know of locked off areas and locations of beams.

Ensure all members understand where SP experiments are being conducted with above equipment so not to trip or invalidate research.

MOBILE PHONES REMOVED OR TURNED OFF.

Digital Cameras Removed or flash turned off.

Journey to and from locations conducted quietly and professionally.

Begin Vigils keeping to rules of silence while conducting sessions. 45 Min’s to 60 Min’s maximum per session.

NO NOISE when investigating if possible. any conversation quiet

The Only photo’s allowed – time delay, infra red low light no flash.

Noises and phenomena to be checked out by one person from the team. Results to be written down

Rotate through locations keeping to time schedule.

Coffee breaks between sessions.

End of investigations time for photographs – digital with Flash

Gather together for last session to talk over the investigation thoughts and phenomena recordings. all notes gathered up.

All Scottish Paranormal Generated rubbish to be gathered and removed from the property.

Post Investigation:

Notes to be written up and placed on Site.

One Hard copy to be bound and given to property owner,

One Hard copy to be bound and Placed in Scottish Paranormal.

sub section B

Protocol for all still images.

a ) Say what type of Camera was used (make and capacity)

b ) log Environmental Conditions for the shot

c ) log Camera settings (flash… digital zoom etc)

d ) If possible a second “normal” image for comparison

subsection B

Appropriate clothing

Dark in colour and warm.

Shoes / Trainers, preferably dark in colour and quiet when walking

Food & Drink :
Food and Drink will only be consumed in the allocated rest area.
No food and drink will be allowed on the areas under investigation.

A

A to D conversion
The method of creating a digital representation of the analogue signal, in digital recording, a minimum of 24 bits should be employed to get a good quality signal. (See also D to A conversion)

Afreet
In Arabic lore, the vengeful spirit of a murdered person which arises from the victim’s shed blood.

Afterlife
Life after our physical body dies.

Agriglyph
An agriglyph is a large design created in a field of vegetation by pressing down parts of the growth. The term is an alternative to Crop Circles. It was introduced to reflect the higher complexity of many such anomalies.

Alchemy
The exploration and application of the sciences, particularly chemistry and the pseudo science of astrology, such as they were understood during the middle ages and early Renaissance period. Alchemists were chiefly dedicated to the worthy pursuit of producing gold from baser metals and various materials.

Alma
Russian wildman encountered in Siberia and northern China, generally described as being covered in hair and powerfully built, though shorter in stature and more human appearing than the Yeti. Some researchers have suggested that Almas may be descended from Neanderthals (Homo Neanderthalensis). See also: Bigfoot, Yeti.

Amorphous
Having no definite form or shape, spirits and ghosts often appears in mist-like forms or shapes.

Amulet
A symbol with magical significance which is worn as a pendant or ring.

Analogue
The natural condition of all light and sound. In the case of an amplifier, it is a true signal rather than digital which is simply a numeric representation of that signal. Our voices, eyes and ears are analogue in nature; consequently any digital signal must be converted to analogue before we can perceive it properly.

Angel
“Messenger of God”; a celestial being, benevolent in nature and if visible, appearing in human form, and possessing miraculous abilities such as teleportation, healing powers and knowledge of future events. There have been accounts of angels aiding people in times of crisis throughout the ages, albeit with no real consistency to their “modus operandi.”

Anomaly
A deviation from the common rule or condition, an unexplainable irregularity, most commonly refers to unclassified paranormal activity.

Anthropomorphize
To attribute human form or personality to things which are not human, a way to rationalize a spiritual psyche and attempt to link it to our own behaviours.

Apparition
Literally meaning “Appearance”, the unusual, unexplainable, and sudden appearance of a figure or object. Most commonly used to refer to ghosts.

Apport
The arrival of object during a haunting, these can be animate or inanimate.

Asport
The disappearance of objects that reappear elsewhere or not at all. (Dematerialization)

Astral Travel
Belief or theory that a person’s spiritual awareness can temporarily detach itself from the physical body, remaining connected by what is called the “silver cord,” and experience things in other locations, time frames or dimensional planes. Some refer to this as “Astral Projection” or “Mind Projection.”

Atavism
Reversion to an earlier, ancestral type.

Aura
The emanation of energy that surrounds all living things.

Automatic Writing
Phenomena by which people write without conscious thought.

Aura-world
A reflection of our own sphere of existence, composed of the electromagnetic emanations of physical matter, and probably influenced by thought and emotion. It is another dimensional plane proceeding from one in which we exist.

Automatism
A process in which the subconscious communicates with the conscious by means of a vehicle such as a Ouija Board, automatic writing, or pendulum swinging.

Avatar
Hindu belief in divine incarnation.

B

Banishing
Formal, ceremonial, procedure effected to cast an invisible presence or influence out from an area. This term can refer either to a spiritual cleansing, or the closing of a magical rite, when the invoked powers are dismissed.

Banshee
A death omen in Irish folklore that manifests to herald an upcoming death. Often heard singing and wailing.

Being
The state or quality of having existence, a living entity.

Belief
Is the psychological state in which an individual is convinced of the truth or validity of a proposition or premise (argument) without necessarily being able to adequately prove their main contention to other people who may or may not agree.

Benign Spirit
A spirit that is not harmful.

Bibliomancy
The practice of divination by randomly selecting a page in a book (often The Bible).

Bigfoot
A bulky, hair covered, bipedal humanoid which appears to possess both human and ape-like characteristics. Also known as Sasquatch and Yeti, depending upon locale. Sightings of these creatures have for centuries been widely reported.

Bi location
Being (or appearing to be) in two different places at the same time.

Bleed over
Either audio or visual effects erroneously produced on a channel it does not belong from another channel. Most commonly caused by a bad ground in the system or improper shielding. Also see Ghosting

Bogey(Boogey)Man
A grim spectral figure who delights in menacing mortals with rather gruesome pranks and abductions. Although the lore of this character has degenerated into a familiar device used to threaten rambunctious children, the Bogey Man was formerly soundly dreaded in Celtic regions, and was said to prowl the stretches of fields, marshes, and moors, looking for hikers and travellers who had strayed from their paths.

C

Calling Ghosts
These are ghosts that call out the name of the living in order to get their attention.

CEI
A Close Encounter of the First Kind (CEI or CE-1) is a UFO sighting in which the object appears to be within 500 feet of the observer

CEII
A Close Encounter of the Second Kind (CEII or CE-2) is a UFO sighting in which the object has a physical effect on the environment. These effects include landing marks, injuries, car engines stopping, and animal responses (such as dogs barking).

CEIII
A Close Encounter of the Third Kind (CEIII or CE-3) is a UFO sighting in which occupants of the UFO are seen.

Channeling
The process that mediums use for communication with the deceased.

Chupacabra
Spanish for Goat sucker. In Puerto Rico, for twenty some years, numerous livestock and stray pets have been found with throats torn out, drained of blood and bearing mysterious puncture wounds. On the scene sightings of the creature supposed responsible are exceedingly rare, and descriptions always include “glowing red eyes.” Locale and the absence of distinct tracks rule out either wolverines or monitor lizards, both of which always drag off their prey. The most feasible suggestion is a coyote or feral dog, but again, the behaviour doesn’t match. Whatever is the true culprit, Chupacabra has become a popular sensation on the island. See also: Lurking Enigma

Circumambulism
Ceremonial walking around an object or person to secure protection.

Clairgustance
Means clear tasting – a psychic ability which enables someone experience a sense of taste with no apparent physical stimulus.

Clairvoyant
Someone with the psychic ability to see events or people which have not occurred yet.

Clairaudient
The psychic ability to hear voices and sounds that are inaudible to the normal human ear.

Clair sentient
The psychic ability to feel things that are not normally felt by most people.

Cleansing
The act of formally and ritualistically purification of an area. Prayers, religious rites, special artefacts, incantations, and various herbs or liquids (such as holy water) are used in such rituals with the purpose of either ridding the area of an existing entity, or preventing entities from entering the area. Scientifically, we feel that these acts empower the person conducting the ritual on an emotional level, and the resulting personal strength from faith is the true cause of the cleansing.

Cold Spot
An area where the temperature is lower than the surrounding environment. Cold spots are believed to be created when a ghost is presence within that area.

Collective Apparition
An apparition seen by several people at the same time.

Contagion
The act of being followed by a paranormal entity, such as an earthbound spirit from a haunted location.

Continuance
Commonly referred to as the survival of the soul after mortal death.

Coupling
Using two different pieces of equipment or methods of research to verify paranormal phenomena.

Crop Circles
During the past three centuries, throughout the British Isles but with a particular concentration in the southern region of England, circular impressions spanning sometimes several hundred feet in diameter and often quite intricate in design, have frequently and inexplicably been appearing overnight in wheat and grain fields. Sometimes the source can be traced to hoaxers; sometimes the details do not allow for any satisfactory, mundane explanation. Much documentation, as well as speculation, regarding this topic is available.

Crossroads
The meeting and parting of ways has always been considered magical. In addition, crossroads are said to be haunted by various entities who lead confused travellers astray. It is also said that on All Hollow’s Eve (Halloween), spirits of the dead appear at a crossroad.

Cryptozoology
A branch of the paranormal which attempts to research, investigate, and document legendary creatures, such as the Chupacabra or the Loch Ness Monster.

Curse
An appeal or prayer for evil or misfortune to befall someone or something as well as the after effect on the desired target.

D

D to A conversion
The method of converting a digital signal back into its analog representation. Usually playback. It should be done at the same resolution or higher than that used to make the digital recording. (See also A to D conversion)

Deja`Vu
A person’s feeling that current events have been experienced before.

Deep Trace Medium
A psychic who allows a spirit to enter their body so that the spirits can communicate through them.

De-materialization
The paranormal fading or disappearance of a physical object.

Demon
A hostile and aggressive spirit without human origin. In religious terms, it is seen as evil, a fallen angel, or an exceptional vicious spirit. In Greek mythology, demons are not viewed as good or evil, simply a supernatural and very powerful, cunning beings which are intermediate between humans and gods. Usually associated with possessions.

Discarnate
A spirit that exists without a physical body.

Discernment
The ability to feel or perceive something with the use the mind and the senses.

Disembodied
A spirit that is functioning without a body.

Disembodied Voice
A voice that is heard that comes from no physical body, also known as EVP.

Divination
Obtaining of future events and/or the unknown by the use of outside forces.

Doppelganger
German for “Double-goer” A person’s duplicate or identical counterpart, seen as a result of bi-locational or astral travel. This phenomenon has been overshadowed by the more modern (and viable) concept of cloning, with its speculative ramifications.

Dowser
A psychic with radiesthetic sense; detects oil, water, or anything underground by means of the reaction of his or her dowsing rods.

Dowsing Rod
A shaped rod (sometimes made from a tree branch)

Druid
A Celtic priest or priestess, who worships and respects nature, often seen in Irish and Welsh sagas (and even Christian stories) as being with magical powers. Often (and incorrectly) associated with Wicca and Witchcraft.

Dynamic EM Field
A changing (AC) EM Field. Often this might be associated with a nearby power line or radio source.

E

EBE
An Extraterrestrial Biological Entity (EBE) is an alien. The term is reportedly of military derivation.

Ectoplasm
a substance resulting from spirit materialization, channelling, and telekinesis. There are no current records of ectoplasm being seen or reported in several years.

Electromagnetic Field (EMF)
An electric and magnetic energy that radiates from radio and light waves to gamma and cosmic rays.

Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP)
The recording of noises (usually voices) which is out of the range of human hearing. The main principal behind this phenomena is that electronic microphones do not discriminate against sound ranges, the way human ears do. In effect, it will record all noises, and funnel them into our normal hearing range, which is what the speakers on the recorder were designed to do.

Elementals
In magical tradition and ceremony, spirits which govern the four corners of the earth and are associated with, or reside within, the four basic elements. They are called Sylphs (the east, air), Salamanders (the south, fire), Undines (the west, water), and Gnomes (the north, earth).

EMF Detector
A device that measures and detects changes in the electromagnetic field.

Empathy
Understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing feelings, emotions, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Those who have the capacity for this are called Empaths

Entity
A being or self contained bodiless form of existence, most commonly referred to as ghost or spirit. See also ghost, spirit, and apparition.

Entropy
The observation that everything in the material Universe will eventually, inevitably wind-down, burnout, fall apart, etc.

Evocation
The summoning of spirits by usage of ritual, gesture, or verse of incantation.

E.V.P
“Electronic Voice Phenomena.”; Disembodied “voices”; and sounds imprinted on audio recording devices.

Exorcism
The ritualistic and religious purging of a spirit from a body. It should be note that according to rite, an exorcism can only be performed on a person, and not on an area or object. Even though there is no scientific proof to support exorcisms, other than psychological empowerment, it has been documented to work in past events.

Extrasensory Perception
(ESP) the ability to gain awareness of information about events external to the self which are not gained through the normal senses and not deducible from previous experience.

Extra-Terrestrials
Life forms originating on planets other than our own.

F

False Positive
Any evidence indicating an affirmative result when in fact all conditions are normal. Can be caused by equipment malfunction or misinterpretation of the data obtained.

Faraday Cage
A shield, usually double with single point grounding, used to block an EM Field from interacting with whatever is enclosed in the cage. It will shield what is inside from the outside, but can also serve to confine a field being generated from a device inside from escaping.

Fetch
A spectral double of a living person. See also: Doppler ganger and Wraith

Foo Fighter
Strange balls of light seen in the sky by pilots during the WW2, over Europe and the Pacific.

Fortean Event
Named for Charles Fort, who was an early archiver of such things, it is a catch all term for paranormal events of all kinds. Lately it has come to define those which are outside the more popular areas like ghosts and UFOs. It encompasses events such as frog falls, hums and noises, relocations, and just about anything else which may not be readily explained.

G

Gauss Meter
A device that is used to measure the electromagnetic field, also referred to as EMF detectors or magnetometers.

General Extrasensory Perception (GESP)
ESP in which it is unclear whether the results are due to clairvoyance, telepathy, precognition or retro cognition.

Ghost
The image of a person witnessed after his/her death, reflecting the appearance of the living, physical body yet less substantial. These forms often seem to exist in a dream-like state of semi-awareness, at times though not always cognizant of their human observers.

Ghost Building
The appearance of a building or part of a building that no longer exists.

Ghosting
The appearance of false anomalies caused by bleed over on a video surveillance set up caused by bad grounding or shielding.

Ghost Lights
Unexplainable Lights that are large and bright in appearance.

Ghost Ship
The appearance of a ship that has been know to have wrecked or disappeared years or centuries before to fore warn of a pending disaster.

Globule
A larger “Glob”; of orb.

Golden-rod
A rare anomaly seen in videotape recorded at the site of a suspected haunting, appearing as bright, white or yellowish lines rapidly moving across a room.

Grey
The most frequently reported visitor from an alien world, described as having grayish skin, a bulbous cranium, tapered chin, straight, unmoving, horizontal line for a mouth, slits substituting for a nose, slanted eyes, and a slight body. In some accounts, it has three fingers plus an opposable thumb on each hand.

Ground Loop
A current flow between two points that are supposedly at ground potential. Such a loop can create a dynamic EM Field, and may be detected. It is a source of some false EVPs.

H

Halloween
“The Eve of All Hallows”; also known by Pagan Celts and Wiccans as “Samhain”; (pronounced, “Sowan”), October 31, the night preceding the Catholic Church’s “All Saints Day.”; For a millennium, in much of Europe and the British Isles, this was held to be the night when departed relatives were especially remembered, and the veil separating the realms of the living and the dead was rendered thinner than usual. Jack-o lanterns were placed on stoops and window-sills to frightened off malicious spirits. Halloween is presently celebrated as a night of revels and masquerading, and in Mexico it is part of a traditional annual festival known as “El Dia De Los Muertos” (“The Day of the Dead”).

Haunted
A person, place or an object to which a spirit is attached. The spirits can be human or inhuman in nature.

Haunting
The presence of a entity, as associated with one or more persons, places, or objects. There are several types of hauntings:

• Residual: The most common type of haunting; the spirit is either partially or completely unaware of current events or people, but has remained behind for any reason or reasons.
• Recursive: Also known as a pattern haunting, often confused with residual hauntings, these are hauntings that follow a general pattern of events, usually at specific times. These hauntings, like residuals, often reflect the spirit being partially or totally unaware of current events and people.
• Intelligentt: These hauntings usually involve interaction with humans, and can be anywhere from friendly and benign to frightening and severely aggressive.
• Possession: Basically, the occupation of a human by a spirit. Not necessarily a haunting, but often confused as one, which is why it’s placed in this list.

Hex
A magical working, or spell, cast to influence a person’s will or fate, most often referring to a curse rather than a blessing or healing.

Hobgoblin
Mischievous sprite (fairy, spirit) that delights in perpetrating pranks upon hapless humans once widely believed in and dreaded throughout Europe and Celtic regions. (Caution: It is theorized that these diminutive denizens of the netherworld will, upon occasion, interfere in psychic investigations by devices such as misplacing directions and telephone numbers, draining flashlight and camera batteries, and even pulling keys right out of investigators pockets, I assume that anyone who reads the preceding caution will realize it is farcical.

Homunculus
A form of miniature human supposedly produced (for purposes unknown) in the laboratories of medieval alchemists. See also: Alchemy

Hyperaesthesia
An extraordinarily and acute sensory awareness.

Hypnosis
A state of profound mental focus, actually self-induced although an external agent – a hypnotist – often acts as the catalyst, or director, for the subject entering this state. Also known as Mesmerism after Franz Anton Mesmer who first popularized this practice (utilizing magnets as his props) during the last two decades of the 18th century. As concerns paranormal investigation, hypnosis is sometimes used as a vehicle for past lives regression and memory restoration in suspected (alien?) abduction cases.

I

Icon
A rendering or image of particular, often religious significance.

(The) Ideomotor effect
A psychological phenomenon wherein a subject makes motions unconsciously (i.e., without conscious awareness). As in reflexive responses to pain, the body sometimes reacts reflexively to ideas alone without the person consciously deciding to take action. For instance, tears are produced by the body unconsciously in reaction to the emotion of sadness, usually without any intervention of conscious will.

Imbolc
In the Wiccan calendar, February 2nd is celebrated as the day when winter’s end is in sight, and the return of the suns warmth is anticipated. Also known as Candlemas and the familiar Ground Hog Day. See also: Wicca.

Imp
A nature spirit who does more harm than good to the earthling.

Incubus
Stemming from medieval lore, a demonic entity capable of sexually arousing and sometimes assaulting human females. Cases of apparent incubus attacks continue to be documented, suggesting a germ of reality behind the myth.

Indigo children
A term used within the New Age movement to refer to children who are alleged to possess paranormal attributes such as the ability to read minds.

Indirect Voice
Mediumistic phenomenon in which the discarnate entity appears to speak using the vocal apparatus of the medium.

Infestation
Repeated and persistent paranormal phenomena, generally centered around a particular location or person(s). Also known as a haunting.

Influence
An invisible entity of undetermined nature, affecting the inhabitants of a dwelling. This may initially manifest as an inexplicable feeling of uneasiness, then be followed by more definite signs which reveal a haunting.

Infrared
Used in night vision equipment when there is insufficient visible light to see. Night vision devices operate through a process involving the conversion of ambient light photons into electrons which are then amplified by a chemical and electrical process and then converted back into visible light. Infrared light sources can be used to augment the available ambient light for conversion by night vision devices, increasing in-the-dark visibility without actually using a visible light source.

Intuition
The act or faculty of knowing or sensing something without the use of normal senses (e.g., sight, taste, feeling, smell, or hearing).

Invocation
Summoning spirits.

J

Jersey Devil
In the Pine Barrens region of northern New Jersey and New York, for more than two and a half centuries there have been reports of a very strange and singular creature described as having an equine head, glowing, reddish eyes, stork’s legs, forelimbs with claw-bearing paws, a pointed tail and membranous, bat-like wings. It emits a shrill, piercing scream, and has been sighted rifling through garbage, standing in paths and roads, and flying just above the tree tops. One rather indistinct photo of this Jersey Devil has produced, but to the best of my knowledge, no one has yet recorded its ear-splitting cry. See also: Lurking Enigma

Jinx
A period of bad luck brought on by a spell.

K

Karma
The effect of a person’s actions and conduct during the successive phases of the person’s existence, regarded as determining their destiny.

Kirlian Photography
A technique for photographing spiritual auras.

L

Lepke
A very unique and interesting type of spiritual manifestation, a ghost which has the appearance of a solid, living person, may even converse with someone, then suddenly vanish. “We were talking, I turned to face her again, and she was just gone Such apparitions are most often reported to have been encountered within, or immediately outside of cemeteries.

Lens flare
The light scattered in lens systems through generally unwanted image formation mechanisms, such as internal reflection and scattering from material inhomogeneities in the lens.

Levitation
A phenomenon sometimes encountered in hauntings, particularly with Poltergeists, rare yet credibly reported, where solid objects (including persons) are moved and lifted by an unseen force. The first historically documented occurrence was that of St. Francis of Assisi in the 14th century.

Ley lines
thought to be invisible lines of the earths energy which “align” sacred sites such as churches and burial grounds. The area on which a ley line crosses is said to be a powerful point and is said to cause paranormal activity, psychic phenomena and UFO sightings.

Light Trance Medium
A person whom spirits can communicate through without going into a deep trance state.

Light Wave Phenomena (LWP)
A term that refers to a camera’s ability to pick up ranges of light waves outside that which can be seen by the human eye; specifically, infrared light.

Lore
Collective beliefs and legendary relating to a subject, as in “vampire lore”.

Lucifer
Name taken from the Latin “luci” (light) and “fere” (to bear), originally a Roman lesser deity, ‘Son of the Morning”, formerly the name for the planet Venus when observed at dawn, in Christian theology identified with the Devil: arch regent of fallen angels. Lucifer is sometimes called upon in pagan ceremonies and rituals. (See also Satan)

Lurking Enigma
“Lurk” means to furtively move about, and I can think of no more appropriate term to describe this phenomenon – a type of entity which can be visible to human observers, yet appears in distorted, unidentifiable forms. Common traits reported by witnesses include glowing red or silver eyes, dark colour (fur or feathers), startling speed and agility, in some cases winged and capable of flight, as with the “Jersey Devil.” Although such nebulous creatures seem to mean us no harm, encounters with them can be terrifying, and provoke much curiosity. As one would expect, they are extremely elusive.

Lycanthrope
A person who projects a frenzied display of their innate savagery for periodic episodes, believing themselves to be overcome by the spirit of a beast.

M

Macro-PK
Psycho kinetic effects that can be directly observed rather than only inferred from statistical analysis.

Magic
The practice of directing psychic ability or “supernatural” forces to effect changes and fulfil desires.

Magnetometer (EMF detector, gauss meter)
A device to measure the presence of a magnetic field, as well as its strength, direction, and fluctuation. Paranormal researchers use the device in an attempt to detect a ghost’s magnetic or energy aura.

Malevolent Spirit
A malevolent spirit is one that wishes to do harm.

Malicious Spirit
These spirits will destroy or damage things of a personal or financial value for the sake of hurting others.

Manifestation
The appearance or taking of form of an entity.

Materialization
The sudden appearance of a spirit, apparition, or ghost, which lacks sufficient scientific explanation as to the origin of it’s appearance. Also, “Seemingly out of nowhere”

Matrixing
(See Pareidolia)

Medium
A person that acts as a bridge between the living and the dead.

Metaphysics
Said to have been instituted by Aristotle, the line of philosophical thought which seeks the “why and wherefore”, The study of that which is beyond the laws of physics.

MIB
The Men In Black. Dark often featureless humanoids encountered in conjunction with a UFO case. No proof they are extraterrestrial, however they often show no emotion and may warn someone to not discuss their sighting.

Moon Madness
As the Lunar cycle waxes to its full point, incidents of psychotic behaviour, violence and crime seem to escalate. To a lesser degree, the phase of the New Moon seems correlated to a rash of abnormal behaviour. Current understanding of human psychology and physiology refutes the observation that our moon can exert significant influence on the human mind, though statistics support it. (Hence the term “lunatic” for crazy person.) Naturally, it is during the nights of the full Moon when cult activities will be at their zenith. Also, there are those pesky werewolves to contend with.

Mumiai
Native American Indian spirit which behaves in the manner of a Poltergeist.

N

Near-Death Experience (NDE)
Experiences of people after they have been pronounced clinically dead, or been very close to death.

Necromancy
The practice of communicating with the dead to obtain knowledge of the future, others’ secrets, etc. An archaic term, the necromancer was said to employ magic spells and conjuration to summon, then banish, the spirits of the dead.

Necronomicon
A grimoire (that is, collection) of ancient sigils and incantations of nebulous origins, discovered in the 8th century by Abdul Alhazred, said to be capable of opening a chasm to the “Dread Dimension” and unleashing the wrathful power of the timeless “Elder Gods.” Although some occultists believe this tome to be at least derived from genuine (and nefarious) sources.

Nexus
The transitional, or joining point connecting physical matter (which, in a sense, is energy condensed) and pure energy, and containing properties of both definites, i.e. the physical brain producing a mind through its network of dendrites and firing axions, or the body’s connection to the spirit. The concept of the Nexus is the basis for much conjecture and postulating.

Non-religionist
A materialist, one who embraces no formal religious beliefs; a more descriptive term than atheist or agnostic.

Nosferatu
Slavic, old world term for vampire, meaning “undead”.

Numerology
The study of numbers in regard to a person’s character and life plan.

O

Obsession
The second stage of a haunting where a spirit dominates the mind of a living person.

Occam’s Razor
The principle that we should always prefer the simplest explanation of events.

Occultism
Esoteric systems of belief and practice that assume the existence of mysterious forces and entities.

Oracle
A prophet, seer and visionary, especially one of renown. Also, a special device which aids in prognostication, such as a crystal ball.

Orb
A spherical imperfection that appears in a picture or video. Usually translucent or semi-transparent in density, and usually white (or white-ish) in colour. There has been no conclusive evidence that orbs are spirits or ghosts, however, common causes for orbs include (but aren’t limited to) dust, rain/moisture/snow, insects, camera malfunctions, infrared light sources, light reflections, lasers, reflectors, smoke, flying particles, and cracked or dirty lenses.

Ouija Board
A game board that some believe is capable to communicate with spirits.

Outward Manifestation
The physical manifestation of paranormal activity.

P

Pact
The belief, prevalent in the late middle ages through the Renaissance, that someone could trade his or her soul in return for worldly gain.

Paranormal
The realm of occurrences and phenomena removed from those to which people are accustomed and comprehend, and presently uncategorized by standard academia.

Parapsychology
The avenue of paranormal studies and research relating chiefly to psychic abilities (e.s.p., telepathy) and spiritual phenomena.

Pareidolia/Matrixing
Referenced in 1994 by Steven Goldstein, describes a psychological phenomenon involving a vague and random stimulus (often an image or sound) being perceived as significant. The human mind’s desire to relate unfamiliar object, condition, or image to a familiar object, condition, or image. Example: Seeing shapes in clouds. The human eye desires to see things it is familiar with, even if it has to create them. This is why most people see ghosts in perfectly ordinary pictures that just happen to [coincidentally] contain what appears to be a face or an apparition. Granted, it might very well be an entity, but caution must be used to avoid perceptual association when investigating the paranormal.

Pentacle/Pentagram
The traditional five-pointed star design, with its interior pentagon delineated, generally representing both spirituality and protection when point up when inverted, it is said to signify diabolism. Please note that the upright star is referred to as a Pentacle used typically in wicca and witchcraft. The Pentagram, the upside down star, is generally associated with Satanism.

Phantom
An apparition or a spectre.

Phantomania
Paralysis that occurs when someone is under attack from supernatural or preternatural forces, also known as psychic paralysis.

Phantom Lights
Sometimes they can be attributed to blue methane flame produced by swamp gas, or electrical discharges in the form of what is termed ball lightning or perhaps even misplaced fireflies. Yet, in other instances, the phenomenon of floating lights observed over water, the edge of woods, lonely back roads and in the windows of darkened houses just can’t be dismissed by ordinary explanations. These might be globules which coalesce and intensify in luminosity to the point where they become visible in dark surroundings.

Phenomena
Any occurrence that is observable

Philosopher’s Stone
A wondrous beacon of sublime wisdom and awesome revelation, a powerful conjurer’s device, perhaps even an extraterrestrial gem encoded with unimagined, otherworldly knowledge. For centuries alchemists, mystics, learned men and seekers of truth quested for the fabled Philosopher’s Stone, not really knowing where or even precisely what it was. Once obtained, it would impart the wisdom of the world and of the angels. Should this actually exist and is in someone’s possession, it may well be regarded as one more enigmatic artefact, since it is unlikely to include instructions

Poltergeist
German for “noisy ghost” Polter is German for “to crash about” and Geist means “Spirit”.This is an extremely rare occurrence wherein random objects are moved and sounds produced by an unseen force, the sole purpose of which seems to be to draw attention to itself. The phenomenon always involves a specific individual, frequently a child or adolescent.

Possession
Invasion of the human mind by a spiritual or demonic entity, where the invading agent for a span of time, influences or entirely subverts the personality of the human host. It is in these instances that the boundaries of psychology, religion and spiritualism are rendered less distinct.

Precognition
The psychic perception of future events or conditions.

Premonition
Feeling or warning about future events.

Preternatural
Associated with inhuman, demonic or diabolical spirits or forces.

Psychic
Relating to the psyche, of the mind or soul, rather than the mundane. Psychic is the most familiar and bandied-about term encountered in paranormal research (a “psychic investigation”, etc.).

Psychic Attack
An attack that can either be physical or mental by a spirit.

Psychic Cleansing
A less ritualized form of exorcism, wherein a site is purified and malevolent influences banished through prayers, which are spoken as the petitioner moves through the area.

Psychic Vampire
This is a term for individuals who seem to instinctively draw and absorb the psychic energies from others, usually while conversing with (or at) them.

Psychokinesis
A psychic phenomenon where-in objects are remotely imprinted or displaced and moved around, solely by the powers of the mind (psychic force).

Psychometry
The ability to sense information in an object, or in the surrounding environment.

Q

Quantum Mechanics
In physics, quantum mechanics is the study of the relationship between energy quanta (radiation) and matter, in particular that between valence shell electrons and photons. Quantum mechanics is a fundamental branch of physics with wide applications in both experimental and theoretical physics. The effects of quantum mechanics are typically not observable on macroscopic scales, but become evident at the atomic and subatomic level. Quantum theory generalizes all classical theories, including mechanics and electromagnetism (except general relativity), and provides accurate descriptions for many previously unexplained phenomena such as black body radiation and stable electron orbits.

Que rant
A person who seeks answers from a psychic or medium.

R

Radiant Child
The apparition of a child which is seen glowing or surrounded by a bright aura.

Radio voice phenomenon (RVP)
Receiving the voice of a deceased human being over a regular radio.

Real Time EVP
The use of a microphone and amplifier connected to headphones for obtaining EVP. The user can hear any EVP directly at the time and in theory may interact with the EVP. Often it is also recorded at the same time.

Regents
In medieval European lore, chief spirits who preside over the four regions of the earth: “Oriens” is Regent of the east, “Amemon” is Regent of the south, “Boul” is Regent of the west, “Eltzen” is Regent of the north.

Regression
When a person under hypnosis speaks of an earlier life that the conscious self is unaware of. Sometimes regression occurs spontaneously, but it is usually triggered by a hypnotist’s suggestion.

Reincarnation
The belief that a person’s soul will, following bodily death, inhabit a new body in a long cycle of rebirths, purportedly for the soul’s evolution through gaining experience.

Remote Viewing
The claimed ability of an individual to view a location some distance out of physical sight to that individual. Unlike an OBE, the person only views, does not claim to actually relocate to the site.

Residual Spirit
Believed to be a psychic imprint of a scene that keeps repeating itself. With this type of haunting no interaction with the spirit is known to occur.

Retrocognition
The psychic perception of past events or conditions.

Revenant
An entity which projects an appearance of being distressed or misplaced.

RSPK
Recurrent spontaneous psychokinesis; a possible cause of apparent poltergeist activity.

Rune
An archaic character inscribed upon a stone or clay tablet, signifying some virtue or property, as with the Norse Runes, and used for divination and as a talisman.

S

Sanguinor
A person exhibiting vampire tendencies, the desire to ingest blood and other attributes. These may be either contrived or pathological.

Sample rate
With digital audio the number times per second the original analogue audio is sampled. Minimum accepted rate is 96KBPS to insure a good quality audio for EVP work.

Satan
Hebraic term for “Adversary”; the “Tester” in the Biblical Book of Job, the most familiar name of the Devil, the “Fallen Angel’ and the “Evil One.” Investigators sometimes come across evidence of the activities of Satanic cults, who perform animal sacrifices and apparently believe that desecrations and obscenities are devotions to their dark lord.

Séance
A group effort to contact the spirit world. In standardized format, the lighting of the chamber in which the séance is conducted is subdued, and the participants sit around the table, either holding hands or with hands palm down, flat against the table’s surface and with fingertips touching those of the adjacent partners. A candle generally is set on the centre of the table. The appointed director or medium addresses the spirit(s) with whom contact is sought, and then it’s “We await a sign…”

Shade
An entity resembling a once-living being (human or animal).

Shaman
A tribal priest who, following much preparation and rite of initiation, uses the forces of magic to effect healings and divinations.

Shape-Shifting
Paranormal ability to assume the form of another person, an animal or other entity.

Shuck
( “Black Shuck,” “Old Shuck”) A phantom black dog with glowing yellow eyes. Hikers in the British Isles who encounter this spectral creature by lonely roadsides and paths are said to be doomed to die within a year of the sighting. It is from this legend that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle drew his inspiration for his Sherlock Holmes adventure, “The Hound of the Baskervilles” (1902).

Sidhe
(pronounced Shee) Irish term for Fairy folk, the “little people” who sequester themselves in woodlands and caverns.

Sigil of Baphomet
Leit-motif if Satanism, this emblem is composed of an inverted pentagram containing a goat head, encompassed by two, concentric circles, in between which are placed five Hebraic characters.

Signet
A ring bearing a personal or family emblem.

Silky
A female ghost which is attired in a rustling silk garment (sometimes seen, other times just heard) and performs domestic chores for a household after the occupants have retired for the night.

Simulacra
Human forms or likeness seen in natural formations, such as furniture, light, trees, stones etc.

Singularity
An event which is completely rare and unique, and cannot be scientifically explained.

Skeptic
Someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs, One who is yet undecided as to what is true; one who is looking or inquiring for what is true or an inquirer after facts or reasons.

Skeptical
Of or pertaining to a skeptic or skepticism; characterized by skepticism; hesitating to admit the certainly of doctrines or principles; doubting of everything.

Sleep Paralysis
A state of seeming to be awake but unable to move.

Spectre
A ghost or apparition.

Spectrum Analysis
A way of viewing a certain spectrum of either audio or an EM field. It allows one to determine the presences of a signal at a given frequency in comparison to those around it. Often used in EVP research.

Spirit
Existence apart from, or transcending, the purely physical; also, the life-force of an organism. A spirit commonly refers to a ghost.

Spirit photography
The art or process of taking photos using traditional film, or digital media to capture images of spirits.

Spirit Rescue
Attempting contact with entities, intended to alleviate the entities; distress and aid them in the resolution of their conflicts, and in “crossing over”; to a higher, spiritual plane.

Spiritualism
A science, philosophy, and religion using the doctrine of metaphysics, belief in the continuity of life after death and communication with this life for the advancement of civilization and personal growth.

Spiritualist
One who believes in the communication between this world and the invisible world, and who endeavours to mould his or her character and conduct in accordance with the highest teachings derived from such communion.

Spontaneous Human Combustion
Refers to cases in which a badly burned human body has been discovered in circumstances suggesting that the fire originated spontaneously in or on the body of the victim.

Spook
Benevolent spirit exclusively of America which comes from the legends of the Red Indians.

Spunkies
The sad spirits of unnamed, unchristian or un-baptized children, believed by old Gaelic and English tradition to wander country roads in search of someone who will name them.

Static EM Field (Also Geomagnetic Field)
A steady state magnetic field. This changes very slowly over several hours and is often the result of solar activity and interaction with the earth’s natural magnetic fields.

Stigmata
Persons have been observed periodically bleeding from points on their bodies corresponding to the wounds of the Crucifixion. Although the physiological mechanisms which produce this effect are not understood, it is apparently and externalization of religious fervour. Stigmata has been thought to be an indication of sanctity. St. Francis of Assisi was said to have displayed the stigmatic bleeding, and the best documented case is that of Padre Pio (b. 1887, d. 1968).

Subjective apparitions
Apparitions or phenomena that are hallucinations created by our minds.

Subliminal Perception
Perceiving without conscious awareness.

Succubus
“Female” counterpart of the incubus, a demonic entity said to inspire lust in men (and most inconveniently), sometimes capable of physically attacking and inflicting injuries (bruises , slashes). Following a nocturnal visitation from a succubus, the human victim will always feel ill and depleted of vitality, and inexplicably “un-clean”

Superstition
The unfounded believe that certain object, activities or rituals can be helpful or harmful.

Synchronicity
Unexplained system of causal interaction which binds together events, actions and thought, manifesting as uncanny coincidences. Term for and existence of this phenomenon was first proposed by pioneering psycho-analyst, Carl Gustav Jung (a contemporary of Sigmund Freud). Synchronicity indicates there is more to the Universe than our understanding of simple cause and effect, and that the subtleties of the mind and matter are somehow interconnected.

T

Table-tipping
An experiment in psychokinesis which can fairly easily be replicated. Three or four participants lightly place their fingers along the edges of a small table top, then in unison chant “table move, table move…” With sufficient cooperation and concentration, and after several minutes of chanting, the table should start to wobble, pivot on its legs and possibly even lead the participants on a scurry about the room.

Talisman
A design or inscription that is worn, carried or displayed, for the purpose of invoking strength, power, protection or the aid of spirits.

Tash
Irish name for a ghost which can appear in either human or animal form. Also called Thevshi.

Telekinesis
A psychic phenomenon where-in objects are remotely displaced and moved around, solely by the powers of the mind.

Telempathy
Telempathy is the ability to directly feel what another entity is feeling, such as emotions or pain. A person who can do this is called an empath.

Telepathy
The ability to communicate directly through mind-to-mind contact and to perceive information directly from another’s mind, without resorting to the use of the five known senses.

Teleportation
Paranormal transportation of objects to a distant place.

Thoughtography
Thoughtography is the ability to make pictures appear on photographic film at will.

Thought Transference
Telepathic transmitting of images and messages from the mind of one person to that of another.

Thunderbird
Prevalent among the Amer-Indian peoples, particularly the Algonquin and Cheyenne, are legends telling of immense birds, and raging storms that would come in their wake. Interestingly, reported sightings of birds of truly monstrous proportions persist, most frequently through the vicinity of the Sierra Madre mountain range in Mexico. In the Miocene era, approximately eight to ten million years ago, a species of bird, discovered in only 1979 and dubbed “Argentaevis Magnificens” (which means “Magnificent Bird of Argentina”) soared through South American skies, with a wing-span of 25 feet and weighing perhaps 200 lbs…. Just maybe…?

Time-displacement
The experience of a time span separate from the native time span of the observer. The phenomenon is sometimes merely viewed and not participated in; sometimes a person seems to actually time-travel to another era.

U

U.F.O.
An unidentified flying object.

Ufology
The study of UFOs.

Ultra-terrestrials
Beings who appear human and visit our plane of existence with some form of message or mission, then inexplicably vanish. Speculation abounds;

USO
Unidentified Submarine Object or Unidentified Swimming Object (USO) is used to designate an apparently technological craft of unknown origin seen underwater (or entering or leaving the water), but the term can also refer to a possible sea monster.

V

Vampire
A demonic (?) entity in the form of a deceased person, which perpetuates itself by draining the blood or psychic energy of the living.

Vardøger
A spirit predecessor, from Norwegian folklore. The word Vardøger is a Norwegian term defined as “a premonitory sound or sight of a person before he arrives”[1] In Finnish Lapland the concept is known as etiÃinen. Stories typically include instances that are nearly dejà vu in substance, but in reverse, where a spirit with the subject’s footsteps, voice, scent, or appearance and overall demeanour precedes them in a location or activity, resulting in witnesses believing they’ve seen or heard the actual person, before the person physically arrives. This bears a subtle difference from a doppel ganger, with a less sinister connotation. It has been likened to being a phantom double, or form of bi location.

Voodoo
African magic traditions with a veneer of imposed Catholicism from the new world, taking root in the Caribbean, particularly the dark populous of Haiti. Similarities in origin and practices exist in the beliefs of “Obia” (Jamaica) and “Santeria” (Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic).

Vortex
The unexplained appearance of a light-coloured (possibly translucent) funnel (similar in appearance to a tornado) at the scene of a possible haunting. Could have other origins, such as problematic cameras, light refraction, or cracked lenses.

W

Warlock
Term originally meant “deceiver” or “one who misleads” in more modern parlance has become associated with a male witch.

Werewolf
Old/Middle English word for man = were, A human being capable of transforming into the form of a wolf (or any variety of animals), then back to human; sometimes referred to as a “Shape-Shifter. See also “Lycanthrope”

Whistlers
A high pitched whistle that sometimes is picked up using dynamic EMF Monitors. Its source is believed to be an electrical storm possibly hundreds or thousands of miles away. Not paranormal but often confused for something else.

White Noise
A hiss-like sound, formed by combining all audible frequencies.

Wicca
Witchcraft as a recognized religion, the practitioners of which refer to their system as, “The Old Way” and “The Ancient Religion.” Wiccans in their rituals align themselves with elementals and the earth’s natural magnetic fields, personified by the names of ancient Greek, Egyptian and Sumerian deities.

Window
A window area is a region with an unusually high number of paranormal/UFO reports over a significant period of time.

Witch
Broadly, a practitioner of the magic arts, spec. a woman who employs charms, herbs and incantations to effect the workings of her will. Also, a practitioner of the Wicca craft.

Wizard
A male sorcerer and conjurer who is especially adept and experienced in his craft.

Wraith/Wrayth
The image of a person appearing shortly before or after his or her death; term can also be applied to a ghost.

X

Xenoglossy
The ability to speak or write in a language that one hasn’t learned; at least in the present life.

Y

Yeti
A legendary creature of Tibet’s Himalayan Mountains region, an anthropoid with both human and ape characteristics, the “Abominable Snow Man.” As with its western counterpart, the Sasquatch or Bigfoot, credible witnesses have reported sightings and numerous tracks have been found, but photographs and purported bodily remnants of the creature remain inconclusive.

Z

Zarcanor
A malevolent spirit which attacks people while they’re asleep, inspiring nightmares, and sometimes even inflicting minor injuries such as scratches, bruises and what appear to be finger marks. The name is possibly of Slavic origin.

Zener Cards
A simple deck of cards, usually with 5 patterns printed on them that are used to test for ESP or precognitive abilities.

Zephyr
Spirit borne upon, governing, or manifesting as the western wind.

Zodiac
From the Greek “zodiakos” literally meaning “circle of animals.” A band in the heavens divided into twelve Signs, each containing 30 degrees of longitude and acting as the barometer for various human traits.

Zombie
Prevalent in Haitian lore, a cadaver disinterred shortly after burial (ere it spoils) and reanimated through the use of Voodoo, its sole purpose thereafter being servitude as a mindless slave. Combine secret pharmaceuticals inducing simulated death with oxygen deprivation in a tomb, then a hasty exhumation in the dark of night, and there emerges the horrid premise behind the myth.

Zoomorphism
Representation of a deity or devil with animal attributes.

Q. Will I be expected to pay a fee for a Scottish Paranormal investigation?
A. No, we do not charge for any investigations.

Q. Will an investigation be kept confidential?
A. We can assure you that any investigation carried out by Scottish Paranormal
will be in the strictest confidence if the client so wishes. Any findings on the night will remain solely in Scottish Paranormal official records for team only.

Q. Can I invite my friends to the investigation?
A. Unfortunately the answer has to be no, we cannot allow non members of the family to attend as it can interfere with the smooth running or our investigation. We like to try and keep numbers down to a bare minimum while investigating a private residence.We do however, allow friends to attend any charity investigations we perform

Q. Can young children be present during the investigation?
A. For reasons of safety and because of the sensitive nature of the case, we need to look after the wellbeing of minors, sorry but we cannot allow anyone under the age of 15yrs to attend. We hope you can understand this. All private home investigations we attend that have youngsters in the household we will ask that the clients make prior arrangements for the children to be taken away for a couple of hours by a family member or neighbour for the duration of the investigation.

Q. Will my home or location be invaded by large numbers of investigators?
A. No! We are a small team of five,one of which is an overseas investigator; we will only choose key members of the team to attend an investigation, (no more than (4) for a private residence investigation.

Q. Do I get to keep any evidence you may get?
A. Yes! We will make out a full written report plus a DVD of the outcome whether or not we find anything, we can then deliver it to you personally or it can be arranged to be sent off to you via post.

Q. Am I allowed to smoke or drink during an investigation?
A. For reasons of health and safety we would ask the client to please refrain from these activities. Drinking alcohol is not allowed during an investigation by anyone while we are there for obvious safety reasons.

Q. How long does an investigation last?
A. Usually about 3 hours depending on the size of the location.The bigger the location obviously the more equipment we will need to set up.We usually allow ourselves 1 hour at the most to have everything in place ready to start.

Q. Will I be allowed to help using Scottish Paranormal`s equipment?
A. Yes! Under supervision of a team member you can if you wish.

Q. Does Scottish Paranormal use Ouija Boards and mediums?
A. No we do not use mediums. As for using a Ouija Board…this is subject to involuntary movement by the persons using it therefore rendering it useless as any evidence of spirit, also we do not perform any table tipping or use dowsing rods

Q. Will Scottish Paranormal organise transport to and from an investigation?
A. Unfortunately no,any transport to and from locations is totally your responsibility.

Something else to look for: Radiation!

Document: PRAB-CI-812

Author: Ian Murphy, Paranormal Research Association of Boston

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Section 1: Preamble

While ionizing and deionising radiation is rare in people’s homes in many parts of the world (except of course locations where a radiological disaster has occurred) is relatively rare, in the field of paranormal research it is imperative to attempt to detect any possible cause, no matter how unlikely it may be. Doing so, any anomalies you gather during an investigation and interview can be more closely analyzed, taking into account as much information about the environment as possible.

Section 1.1: What is Alpha, Beta and Gamma radiation?

ALPHA PARTICLES

The alpha particle is the heaviest. It is produced when the heaviest elements decay. Alpha and beta rays are not waves. They are high-energy particles that are expelled from unstable nuclei. In the case of alpha radiation, the energy the particles leave the nucleus. The alpha particle is a helium atom and contains two neutrons and two protons. It leaves the nucleus of an unstable atom at a speed of 16,000 kilometres per second, around a tenth the speed of light. The alpha particles are relatively large and heavy. As a result, alpha rays are not very penetrating and are easily absorbed. A sheet of paper or a 3-cm layer of air is sufficient to stop them. Its energy is transferred within a short distance to the surrounding media. However, its short flight knocks about 450,000 electrons out of the surrounding atoms. The alpha particle emitter will not penetrate the outer layer of our skin, but is dangerous if inhaled or swallowed. The delicate internal workings of the living cell forming the lining of the lungs or internal organs, most certainly will be changed (mutated) or killed outright by the energetic alpha particle. The number of lung cancer cases among uranium miners from inhaled and ingested alpha sources is much higher than those of the public at large. Radon, the gas produced by the decay of radium-226, also emits alpha particles, which poses a hazard to lungs and airways when inhaled. Homes built in areas with high ground radioactivity should be tested for radon build-up in enclosed basement spaces.

BETA PARTICLES

Beta rays are much lighter energy particles. The beta particle is an energetic electron given off by the nucleus of unstable isotopes to restore an energy balance. They leave the nucleus at a speed of 270,000 kilometres per second. They can be stopped, for instance, by an aluminium sheet a few millimetres thick or by 3 metres of air. The RS-500 can detect most energetic beta particles through the case. Weaker beta particles can be detected through the tube window. Although the beta particle is around 8000 times smaller than the alpha particle, it is capable of penetrating much deeper into living matter. Each encounter with a living cell, and there may be many before the beta energy is dissipated, is likely to dam age some of the chemical links between the living molecules of the cell or cause some permanent genetic change in the cell nucleus. If the damage occurs within the generative cells of the ovaries or testes, the damage may be passed to new generations. The normal background radiation level must contribute to the mutation of the gene pool. Most mutations are undesirable with a very few leading to “improvements”. Any increase in the background level of radiation should be considered harmful.

GAMMA RAYS

The next “particle” is the very high energy “X-ray” called the gamma ray. It is an energetic photon or light wave in the same electromagnetic family as light and x-rays, but is much more energetic and harmful. It is capable of damaging living cells as it slows down by transferring its energy to surrounding cell components.

Section 2: Effect of Radiation on the Human Body

To understand the nature of the damage caused by radiation, it is necessary to look at the microscopic structure of the human body.  The human body is composed of a large number of individual cells.  These cells can be split broadly into two categories, namely:

1.  Somatic cells

2. Germ cells.

The germ cells are those that are responsible for reproduction of offspring, and constitute the sperm in males, and the ova in females.  All other cells fall under the classification of somatic cells.

The genetic information that characterizes any individual is contained within the chromosomes.  Somatic cells contain 46 chromosomes (23 chromosomes, occurring in pairs), and germ cells contain 23 chromosomes (23 chromosomes occurring once), so that when a sperm and an ovum come together, they produce a composite with the full 46 chromosomes.  All cells in the body contain exactly the same genetic information; when cells divide, the chromosomes are reproduced exactly, so that the new cells resulting from cellular division contain exactly the same genetic information as in the original cell.

The chromosomes, in turn, are composed of linear sequences of genes.  Genes are the basic units of heredity, and mammalian cells contain between 60000 and 70000 genes.  The chromosomes are composed principally from deoxyribonucleic acid, which is usually shortened to ‘DNA’.  A molecule of DNA contains around 10 million atoms, and it consists of two chains that are entwined around each other (the famous ‘double helix’).  The diagram below shows the basic structure of DNA.  The two chains are held together by various cross-connections (termed ‘hydrogen bonds’ by chemists) between the two chains.  The genetic information held in the DNA molecule is defined by the sequence in which various groups of atoms occur on the molecule.  Evidently, this is an extremely complex subject, and is beyond the scope of this article.

Now, let us suppose that a collection of cells in the human body is subject to the types of radiation described above.  We know that the main effect of this radiation is to cause ionization of the atoms in the absorbing medium.  Thus, when cells are irradiated, it is likely that ionization of one or more of the atoms on some of the DNA molecules will occur.  This can lead to a number of consequences for the affected molecule.  These effects include :

1.  Breakage of the chains of molecules comprising the DNA, and

2.  Breakage of the links between chains.

In many cases, the cell is able to repair the damage, but not always.  When the damage cannot be repaired, the affected cell is left with altered or damaged genetic information, compared with the unaffected cells.  All descendants of that cell will contain altered or damaged information as well, because cellular division results in exact replication of the genetic information in the original cell.

The direct attack of radiation on the structure of DNA is not the only means by which radiation can affect cells.  The majority of the human body (about 60%) is made up of water, and the ionizing effects of radiation on water can lead to an indirect attack on DNA.  The effect of radiation on water (via a series of chemical reactions) is to produce a liquid, similar to water in composition, called hydrogen peroxide.  Hydrogen peroxide is, in contrast to water, a chemically active compound, and it is capable of reacting with DNA to damage cells and the genetic information contained therein.  Cells can therefore be subject to an indirect attack due to the action of radiation on body water, as well as from the direct effects of ionization at the site of the DNA.

Therefore, if germ cells (sperm and ova) suffer damage to the genetic information and they are subsequently involved in germination with other germ cells (i.e. affected sperm cells uniting with an ovum); the offspring may well carry cells containing the damaged information.  Similarly, somatic cells will divide to increase the number of cells in the body with damaged information.  The proliferation of damaged cells that cannot perform their normal function is the root cause of cancer.

Stochastic Effects

Stochastic effects are usually associated with exposures to low levels of radiation exposure over a long period of time (e.g. years).  The term stochastic literally means ‘random’, the implication being that low levels of radiation exposure are not certain to produce an effect.  The induction of cancer and genetic defects are two of the most familiar consequences attributed to stochastic effects.  The description of stochastic effects is subject to a degree of controversy (owing to the difficulties in separating the effects of low-level radiation exposure from the effects of other carcinogens, e.g. tobacco smoke, non-radioactive species, etc), but the currently accepted theories lead to the following conclusions about stochastic effects:

There is no threshold level of radiation exposure below which we can say with certainty that cancer or genetic effects will NOT occur. Doubling the radiation dose doubles the probability that a cancer or genetic effect will occur.

Taken together, radiation experts refer to these two conclusions as the ‘linear-no-threshold’ hypothesis.  This hypothesis is questioned from time to time; however, it provides a pragmatic means of estimating radiation risks, and is consistent with the (limited) data that are available.

Deterministic Effects

Deterministic effects are associated with much higher levels of radiation exposure, usually incurred over a much shorter period of time (fractions of a second to tens of days) than is the case for stochastic effects.  As for stochastic effects, deterministic effects have two characteristic features:

There is a threshold radiation dose, below which the deterministic effects are not observed; The severity of the deterministic effect increases with the magnitude of the radiation dose

There are a variety of deterministic effects that can be observed after an acute exposure to radiation.  These include (in order of increasing severity):

Hemopoietic syndrome – an effect related to the effects of radiation on blood-forming tissues, normally indicated by changes in blood cell counts

Gastrointestinal syndrome – an effect signaling the destruction of the gastrointestinal epithelium (the lining of the gastrointestinal tract)

Central nervous system syndrome – an effect seen at very high radiation doses in which the central nervous system undergoes irreparable damage.

The usual symptoms following an acute radiation dose include nausea, vomiting and general fatigue.  In the case of the hemopoietic syndrome, medical intervention may be capable of saving the victim.  With the gastrointestinal syndrome, the most likely outcome is death within several weeks.  Anyone suffering the central nervous syndrome will die within a few hours to a few days of exposure.

Section 3: Natural Radiation

The level of radiation exposure from natural sources occurs at the level of stochastic effects, discussed in the previous section, and the principal sources are as follows:

1.  Cosmic rays;

2.  Naturally occurring radionuclides in soils and rock;

3.  Naturally occurring radionuclides in our bodies;

4.  Radon gas in our homes

Section 3.1: Cosmic Rays

Cosmic rays are a source of radiation that originates from outer space.  In fact there are two sources; the first is the sun, with the remainder originating from outside the solar system.  Primary cosmic rays (those that are incident on the atmosphere of the earth) consist mainly of protons (hydrogen nuclei), and alpha particles (helium nuclei).  Also present are electrons and a small number of heavier nuclei.

The energy of the primary cosmic rays can be very high, and when these cosmic rays interact with the atoms and molecules in the atmosphere, a number of additional secondary particles are produced, including protons, electrons, neutrons, positrons and a variety of more ‘exotic’ particles that will not be discussed here.  Many of these secondary cosmic rays are sufficiently energetic to reach the surface of the earth.

At sea level, it has been found that the number of ions produced by cosmic rays is about 2 ions per cubic centimeter per second.  Using this information, it can be calculated that the absorbed dose rate due to these cosmic rays is about 32 nGy/hr (0.000000032 Gy/hr).  The world average annual dose rate due to cosmic rays is about 0.4 mSv/yr (0.0004 Sv/yr).

Section 3.2: Radionuclides in Soils and Rock

A number of radioactive materials occur naturally in the earth itself.  These radioactive materials all have very long half lives, and have been present in the earth since its creation.  At the creation of the earth during the Big Bang, perhaps about 15 billion years ago, virtually all possible atoms were created.  Most of the radioactive atoms will have decayed away, but there are three important radionuclides that have such long half lives that even after 15 billion years, they are still present in the earth.  These radionuclides are:

Uranium-238                half life = 4.46 billion years;

Thorium-232                half life = 14 billion years

Potassium-40               half life = 1.3 billion years

Other primordial radionuclides include rubidium-87 and uranium-235, but these are not so important in considering radiation doses to man.  Uranium-235 is an important source of fuel for many types of nuclear reactor, and the extraction of concentrated amounts of uranium-235 from natural uranium in the ground is a major technological challenge.

Uranium-238 and thorium-232 have the important property that their radioactive decay products are also radioactive.  Both of these nuclides are at the beginning of long sequences of radionuclides (containing about 10 or 15 members) in which each member is radioactive, and decays to the next member in the series.  Only the final member of the series consists of stable atoms.  Uranium-235 is also at the head of a long sequence of radionuclides.

Section 3.3 Radionuclides in the Body

An important radionuclide that can be found in the human body is potassium-40 (it is also found in soils and rocks, and contributes to the doses considered in the previous section).  The human body of a 70 kg man contains about 140 g of potassium, most of which is located in muscle.  Of this potassium, about 0.018% is radioactive potassium-40.  This corresponds to a mass of potassium-40 of about 0.03 g.  It can be shown by calculation that the decay of this potassium-40 produces about 6000 radioactive decays every second, and therefore body tissues will acquire a radiation dose.  The dose arising from potassium-40 in the body (and a contribution due to naturally occurring potassium-40 in rocks and soils) is about 0.1 mSv/yr.

Section 3.4: Radon in Homes

One of the most important sources of natural radiation arises from an element called radon.  The two most important isotopes of radon are radon-220 and radon-222.  The former is often called thoron and the latter is usually given the name of the element, i.e. radon.  To avoid confusion, we will reserve the term radon for the name of the element, and we will refer to each isotope explicitly.

Radon has two important qualities from the perspective of radiation protection:

1.  Radon is a gas;

2.   Both isotopes of radon are radioactive and are derived either from the decay of uranium-238 (radon-222) or thorium-232 (radon-220).

Thus, because uranium-238 and thorium-232 occur to some extent in all soils and rocks, it follows that radon gas is constantly emanating from the ground.  In areas that are particularly rich in uranium and/or thorium ores, the rate of emanation can be quite high.  However, the radiological hazard from radon-220 (thoron) is usually smaller than that from radon-222, because radon-220 has a half-life of only 55 seconds, and so decays away before radiological problems can arise.  Radon is colourless and odourless, so we cannot perceive the presence of radon in the atmosphere.

However, in most circumstances, only radon-222 is problematic.

Of particular importance is the fact radon can accumulate in enclosed structures such as homes and offices.  The radon either seeps into buildings through the foundations, or in parts of the world where building materials are derived from local sources, the radon may enter the building as a result of emanation from the foundation and building materials themselves.  If the degree of ventilation of the building is negligible, radon can accumulate to substantial levels.  The radiological hazard is exacerbated by the fact that buildings such as homes tend to be occupied for substantial periods of time.

Strictly speaking, radon-222 itself is not particularly dangerous, as radon is an inert gas, and so radon breathed in tends to be breathed straight back out again.  However, the decay products of radon-222 are isotopes of bismuth and polonium, which are ‘heavy’ metals that attach themselves to dust particles, and tend to accumulate in the lung.  These isotopes then undergo further radioactive decay, and bombard the lungs with alpha particles, resulting in radiological damage to the cells of the lung.  Thus, lung cancer is a possible outcome from exposure to radon.  It should be noted that cigarette smoking tends to increase the likelihood of lung cancer in regions where radon levels are high.

The hazard of radon is taken so seriously that action levels are defined in most countries.  These action levels specify the maximum concentration of radon and its decay products that is allowed before intervention is required to lower concentrations.  The most common type of intervention is the use of fans under the floor of an affected building to ‘suck’ radon out of the underfloor region, before it can enter the main volume of the building.

Section 4: Conclusion

As this article suggests, we have a number of sources of both natural and manufactured radiation around us today. In addition to article on EMF Radiation (PRAB‐CI‐772_EMF), Beta and Gamma radiation have a detrimental health effect on our bodies and in sufficient doses can lead to the interpretations of events as having a paranormal source, instead of a natural one.

Please visit our colleagues at Boston for more fantastic research…
Paranormal Research Association Of Boston

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Old School Techniques

So you pack up your car with the latest equipment in the search of paranormal activity, you have DVR Systems, Ion detectors, Data loggers and other shiny new items purchased form your favourite electronic store….but do you need it?

Granted, the latest camcorders and recording devices are good items to have in your paranormal toolbox for the capture of evidence but sometimes in the field and certainly amongst the membership of IPI (International Paranormal Investigators) there is a genuine feeling that things may be going to far. Contrary to what some may say who are jumping on the equipment bandwagon, Old School techniques and inventories are best.

Anyone can conduct Paranormal Investigations with the very basic elements

• Notepad
• Pen
• Camera

Observation is key and your own eyes best for this, noting everything and taking photographs for future reference points is all it takes.

Here are some super tips from Brett Johnson whom is an English colleague with many years of experience in the field….. But first, always remember that you do not need to be “Keeping up with the Joneses” and having a plethora of equipment does not make you any better than others. Over to Brett’s Tips!

basics .

Note book , pencil , camera – flask of tea – TORCH !! , ( surprising how many people turn up without these )

doors .

Want to see if a door has moved /opened ?? – get yourself a piece of stiff white card and a pencil – leave the door slightly ajar – place the card on the floor UNDER the door ( secure by double sided sticky tape if required ) and tape the pencil to the door ,just contacting the card – if the door moves a mark will be made on the card

floors .

Want to see if any one / thing nasty this way comes ?? – well a roll of rice paper ( if you can get it ) or ordinary tin foil will tell a tale – lay out along the route /passage and place a weight on each end ,with tin foil stretch as taught as possible , check for imprints later , also it make a satisfying crunching noise if someone go’s where they should not

talcum powder – is a good tool for doing like wise – put it on some dark paper evenly and place this on stair treads etc – anything that passes – will disturb the powder

windows .

Find that draft causing a cold spot – use a joss stick or can of “smoke spray “ ( better where there may be detectors ) to see any slight drafts – you can get cans of artificial smoke form maplins etc and they last a long time used sparingly – and wont usually set off any alarms

or just wet the back of your hand and hold near the suspected draft – that’s why god gave you a tongue !!

passages /rooms

taking photos ?? – get yourself some small white painted sticks -and some plastecene – and make up some marker sticks – place along /across the room at intervals ( measured ) – great for proving the “something “ was not close to the camera lens

doors again .

Want to see if a door has been opened ? the old trick of a hair stretched across the jam and door at high level and secured with a couple of pieces of clear tape will tell the tale

use what god gave you .

Sometimes one of the BEST investigation techniques is just to sit and LISTEN – find a comfy perch – relax and let your breathing fall slow – if you have several investigators – position one in each room and if anything IS heard – then it can be pinpointed

likewise – just sitting and watching can pay off – you may miss the action if you are here , there and everywhere

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Scottish Paranormal has once again been busy behind the scenes planning our next investigations.Having completed a charity event for DEC held at the worlds famous Mary Kings Close in Edinburgh we are very pleased that we helped to raise over the target which was set at £1,000.In addition to our normal work,we are hoping to take part in many more fundraisers in the future.

Please check our forum for details and catch up with what SP are doing.

Monday 17th May 2010
Mark:

We have made several changes to both the Scottish-Paranormal site & forum, hope you like the changes.

Monday 12th July 2010
Mary Cunningham:

Scottish Paranormal`s website and Forum has now been updated,sorry for any inconvenience caused.
SP are busy in the background with regards to investigations but we will post up any new projects and locations as soon as final details become available.

Summer holiday breaks are also coming up for members of the team but we will be back to continue our research.Please keep checking back for updates on what SP are doing.
Take care.

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Images taken on Location.

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Audio 4.

Mr Chesney`s House,
Mary Kings Close March 2010
This clip has not been put through any software for enhancement.

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Audio 1.

ORIGINAL VERSION.
Mary Kings Close,Edinburgh.
All 3 investigators sitting quietly taking notes when all 3 hear at the same time what sounds like a woman calling out “Hello” All investigators and MKC staff were accounted for and ruled out.This video/Audio was not altered in any other way except to lighten up the picture.
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Audio 2.

Yester Castle (Goblin Ha`) Audio
4 SP Investigators,Ryan,Mary,Rachel and Mike attended this investigation at the Castle which was in the middle of nowhere with no electricity at all during a freezing cold winter night.The team are quietly going about their work and did not hear this at the time.
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Audio 3.

Kirk O` Shotts.
This was captured in the Kirk O` Shotts.A voice recorder was placed inside the kirk to record as the SP team explored outside in the grounds.All other persons were accounted for and nobody was inside the kirk at the time.
Not long after the team left to go outside, the recorder shut itself off straight after what you hear.We have no explanation for this as all batteries were new,also,on further checking the recorder it was found to be in full working order.

SP Location & Investigation Videos.

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Part 1.

Fund raising for DEC to help Haiti Disaster Sat 13th March 2010.
Scottish Paranormal take members of the public down Mary Kings Close for an overnight investigation.

Part 2.

Part 3.

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An SP Live Investigation using Livestream.
SP was joined live via Skype by Rushell McDonald of PEIGHS paranormal team from Canada.This investigation lasted for 7 days/nights during the month of October 2009.

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Investigation in Stirling.
SP returned to this location to concentrate on the barn area which on a previous visit we had some vibration of the long bench which 2 investigators experienced.This time we set down 2 glasses of water on the bench and concentrated a camera on them to see if the water inside vibrated at all.Also some minitures of alcohol that we used for a target experiment moved last time too so we wanted to investigate this further.

First visit Ledard Farm,Kinlochard,Stirling.

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Tay Rail Bridge.
SP decided to investigate claims of people seeing a light mist shaped like a train going over the bridge on the anniversary of the Tay Bridge disaster where the bridge collapsed killing all on board when it hit the icy cold water of the Tay.

On the night of 28 December 1879 at 7.15pm, the first bridge collapsed after its central spans gave way during high winter gales. A train with six carriages carrying seventy-five passengers and crew, crossing at the time of the collapse, plunged into the icy waters of the Tay. All seventy-five were lost, including Sir Thomas’s son-in-law. The disaster stunned the whole country and sent shock waves through the Victorian engineering community. The ensuing enquiry revealed that the bridge did not allow for high winds. At the time a gale estimated at force ten or eleven had been blowing down the Tay estuary at right angles to the bridge. The engine itself was salvaged from the river and restored to the railways for service. The collapse of the bridge, opened only nineteen months earlier and passed as safe by the Board of Trade, is still the most famous bridge disaster of the British Isles. The disaster was commemorated in one of the best-known verse efforts of William McGonagall.

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The Osnaburg Bar,Forfar.

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