This is a long video, but I especially recommend the section starting around 8:18, through the shadow movement that’s replayed in slow motion.
Could it be confusion about normal shadows? Possibly. With a variety of light sources and multiple people in the room, it might even be likely.
However, there’s a quality to the shadows — though I’m pretty sure one part of the image is normal — that seems downright peculiar to me.
The video is long (too long, without some video notes or a good transcript) but includes other possible anomalies, as well. If you have time, watch the whole thing, since it gives you a better context for evaluating the anomalies.
The site is an office building in Harlingen, Texas and the investigators are Graveyard Shift Paranormal. (As of March 2018, their website seems to have vanished.)
In general, the lighting and reflective surfaces (glass, mirrors, etc.) at the site are definitely a problem. If that were my video, I’m not sure that I’d feel confident of any anomalies in it. I’d go back with black sheets to cover every reflective surface, and I’d have extra cameras set up behind the cameras that are filming possible anomalies. Those extra cameras would be a way of double-checking (or “debunking”) anomalous shadows, based on who was where, and what lighting was involved.
I am a little skeptical.
However, there’s something about that shadow, and how it changes shape and moves… We’re looking for “weird within weird” in many videos, and — in my opinion — that qualifies as something for further research. The shadow might be completely normal, but it’s still very, very odd, and that’s consistent with some shadow figures we’re seeing during ghost investigations.
You’ll see two possible anomalies in this video. One is an interesting orb. The other is something that might be an apparition.
The Joplin Paranormal Research Society (Missouri) don’t claim that the orb is a ghost. Of the two anomalies, I think the orb is more credible to someone who wasn’t there at the time.
The orb appears and then backs away. It’s clear and large, and the right shape and density to be interesting.
However, it might be something reflective that drifted in and was pushed back by… well, I wasn’t there. A fan could do it, a door opening and closing, someone moving abruptly enough to cause a slight breeze, and so on.
But, after my intensive research into orbs and how easy they are to fake (or mistake) with dust, moisture, reflections, etc… this orb could be paranormal.
On the other hand, the apparition looks like someone walking in front of the camera. It catches the light. It’s too solid.
That’s exactly what makes this credible. Unless the Joplin team are terrible investigators, had temporary amnesia, or are trying to promote a hoax, that figure is something paranormal.
(Yes, as the author of the popular article, Scams and Con Artists, I know that audacious lies fool us most often. Nevertheless, I’m taking this video at face value.)
Does the video show a ghost? Maybe.
I’m raising an eyebrow because — as I said earlier — it’s too solid. That doesn’t mean it’s fake, but I wouldn’t rule out other paranormal explanations.
And, for that reason, assuming this was a real anomaly, I’d be very cautious about returning to that location. It might be malicious.
All in all, this is an interesting video.
Originality (assuming it’s real)
Credibility (combined, of either anomaly – the orb or the figure)
This video was a good example of a typical, informal investigation using a K-II meter. The video was long – over an hour and a half – so I didn’t watch the whole thing. However, you could learn a few good things in the first five or ten minutes.
Here’s where it was, at YouTube.
http://youtu.be/0f-vpjZE3iA
The video seems to be gone now. (That’s true of a lot of “investigation” videos from when the ghost hunting trend peaked. )
I’m leaving this article online for two reasons:
The video might return…? Maybe, but probably not with that URL. And it may be another spam effort. I’m not sure.
More importantly: my summary, below, may explain the patience ghost hunters need. You can sit for hours with nothing happening.
First of all, this video showed how imperfect real-time communication is with any EMF meter, but especially a highly sensitive meter like the K-II.
There were times when the lights flickered so quickly, it was difficult to tell whether it flashed just once (for “yes”) or two or three times. In fact, at least once, a team member said he didn’t see it, when the light had flashed quickly.
This video also provided a vivid example of how tedious ghost hunting can be, particularly when you’re focusing on one specific research technique or tool. Really, by the 47 minute mark, one of the investigators asked, “Is the fourth letter of your last name between the letters A and L?”
Wow. That’s a very patient investigator.
You might ask, “Why not use a Ouija board, instead? It’s faster.”
The answer is personal safety. The more people physically connect with the energy – like with a glass or platen that points to letters – the more risks they’re taking. With a tool like a K-II – one that requires no physical contact with the device – dangers are reduced.
The K-II results in this video could be pretty good. I really wanted to like it and give it a very favorable review. However, I had some major doubts.
The TV
My first concern when using a K-II is variable, environmental electronic energy.
Right away, I saw the TV in this video’s background. Is that enough to cause normal EMF fluctuations? Unlikely, but I wouldn’t rule it out until I’d checked it carefully. I’m not sure the guy in the video did that.
The cat
At times, a cat was on the bed where the K-II was. I’m not too worried about that because I saw no reaction from the K-II when the cat was nearby. Also, one of the researchers seemed to sit on the bed with enough vigor that the K-II moved around, but the K-II didn’t react to that, either.
The fan
The rotating fan in back of the EMF meter was a greater concern. I thought I noticed more flashes after the fan moved to the far left and had just begun the return motion, but I wasn’t sure. (I’m still not sure.) I’d definitely want to study some freeze-frame shots when the K-II is flashing.
Response synchronicity
I casually checked the frequency of the K-II responses. In the first five minutes, the timing seemed odd. In a spot-check near the beginning of the video, I noted K-II flashes at these times:
1:21
2:21
2:28
3:20
4:20
In other words, the K-II was flashing about once a minute, always around the :20 or :21 mark. If that pattern continued – or even repeated sporadically – I’d discount all of those flashes.
However, the 2:28 response was anomalous and fairly strong, so I’d be more likely to take that response seriously, if no other strong flashes sync with it near :28 marks.
That is the kind of analysis that researchers must do, in more formal investigations. On the other hand, this looked like a very informal investigation.
If I were analyzing this video as part of a formal investigation, I’d be concerned about the TV and the rotating fan. Also, I’d wonder what else was in the room – or near enough to affect a K-II – that we don’t see in the frame of the video.
And, finally, the biggest credibility issue connected with this video was how it was uploaded to YouTube.
Keyword stuffing
In a misguided attempt to attract more viewers, the foot of the video description was stuffed with keywords that weren’t related to ghosts, such as “epic funny Santa Claus prank Christmas pranks bloopers,” “50 Cent The Voice” and “make money free cash” and “Black Friday Walmart black Friday.”*
I suspect the research team received bad advice about that tactic. Please, don’t stuff keywords if you want to look like a serious researcher. (On the other hand, if you main goal is to boost your numbers to look popular or earn more money from your YouTube videos… Err, umm, no… what am I saying? That’s never okay.)
Summary
All in all, this was a good video to learn from. And, the results might be impressive in a different context.
If this were one of several supporting investigations related to a single, haunted site, this might be good, but I’d need far more compelling evidence.
For starters, I’d like to have seen a detailed analysis of the video, especially related to the rotating fan and the timing issues. Without that, there were too many red flags to trust the results. Also, it would have been simple to eliminate most or all of them, in a follow-up investigation, if they were serious researchers.
Originality (Doesn’t really apply. It’s a K-II meter.)
Credibility (The results were pretty good, but the context — especially the timing issue and the keyword stuffing — were huge red flags as far as I’m concerned, and made the entire effort look questionable.)
* No matter who tells you that keyword stuffing is a good idea to get more YouTube views, don’t do anything like the screenshot below. It looks spammy, reduces your credibility, and… really, do you want people finding your serious, ghost hunting video using search terms like “prank ghost video” or “swimsuit boys dance gangnam style”?
And, if you scrolled this far, here’s a very speculative way to think about EMF:
The following is an edited excerpt from the first edition of Ghost Photography 101, by Fiona Broome.
Fiona’s famous ‘man in blue’ photo. (Ft. Worden, WA)
Bring a camera to haunted places and take lots of photos.
You’ll learn the ins and outs of ghost photography on your own. Trial-and-error is fine.
However, the following tips might make the learning process easier.
First, learn where the “hot spots” are at the site. Ask others where they’ve felt the most chills, found the most EMF activity, or taken the best ghost photos. That’s a good place to start.
Take cues from your ghost hunting tools
If you have ghost hunting tools, they may help you identify the best locations.
For example, if your EMF meter detects energy spikes — or drops lower than it should — that’s a potential location for ghostly photos. Try taking photos standing directly at the location where your EMF meter indicated something odd.
However, sometimes when you’re in the middle of an anomaly — or a haunted spot — your camera won’t record anything unusual.
Step away from that spot. Turn around and take pictures of it from a distance and from several different angles.
One of many strange ‘ghost photos’ taken at Gilson Rd. Cemetery, Nashua, NH
Several ghost hunting tools can detect EMF-related anomalies. Of course, an EMF meter can reveal the most electromagnetic anomalies.
You may identify equally good, active locations using a hiking compass or more specialized tools such as an Ovilus or any real-time paranormal communication device.
If you have a hiking compass, the needle points in the direction of magnetic north.
However, if you’re near electromagnetic fields (EMF), the compass needle will point away from magnetic north and towards higher EMF. (Movement can easily affect hiking compasses, so I only pay attention to needle variations more than 30 degrees from magnetic north.)
The Ovilus is one of many tools that became popular during 2009. It seems to respond to EMF surges by talking. Using a pre-programmed vocabulary — plus additional words and names that baffle many researchers — the Ovilus “speaks” out loud. Similar tools include the Frank’s Box, the Shack Hack, ghost radar apps for mobile phones, and “ghost box” devices.
If you’re using one of these tools and it starts talking, take photos. Take lots of photos.
If someone’s camera or phone suddenly stops working, that’s another cue that EMF energy is interfering. Take photos right away.
This eerie photo is probably just breath on a chilly night.
Remember to take photos inside the area where the EMF or other electronic signal occurs, but also step away and point your camera so you’re looking at the location, from a distance of at least a few feet.
Your “gut feeling”
Your “gut feeling” is the single most useful tool to help you identify spots for ghost photography.
Whether you get goosebumps, the hair goes up on the back of your neck, or you simply feel prompted to take a photo, pay attention to those subtle cues.
Share those feelings with others. You may be surprised by how many people will confirm what you’ve felt.
I believe that everyone has some psychic sensitivities. They’re often felt as a “gut feeling.”
Few people feel 100% confident about their intuition.
Mentally note how you feel when you take good ghost photos. Soon, you’ll recognize those “gut feelings” more confidently… and then take more pictures when you do.
It’s important to learn to identify real anomalies and the normal things that can look like them.
However, it’s not as easy to create fake ghost photos as skeptical critics insist. When it doubt, trust your gut feeling.
When people contact me about a house that might have ghosts, they often say things like:
“Sometimes, when I’m in that part of the house, I get shaky, dizzy, and I feel weak all over.”
“I get a tightness in my chest, and I can’t catch my breath. Do you suppose the ghost died of a heart attack?”
“I’m okay during the day, but at night – especially when it’s cold out – it’s like something floats into my room through the bedroom window, and I can’t breathe.”
“The baby gets fussy in that room and seems to be looking at something that I don’t see, and the dog won’t go in there, ever.”
“I’m fine all day, but at night, when we close up the house and go to bed, I get headaches, it feels really stuffy in the room, and sometimes I feel kind of sick. I always have to get up and open the window, just to feel the breeze. About an hour or two later, around midnight, everything’s fine again.”
Well, those “symptoms” of a haunting can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. That’s why carbon monoxide is now the first thing to check in a house that might be haunted. This is especially true if the ghosts started to be a problem when the house was sealed up for the winter, or – in warm climates – for the summer.
The following is an edited excerpt from the first edition of, Is Your House Haunted?, by Fiona Broome.
Before you do anything else…
Check the carbon monoxide levels at the possibly-haunted site.
Carbon monoxide is nicknamed “the silent killer.” Pets and children often react to it first. Carbon monoxide (CO), also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas.
It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities.
It can come from a variety of sources, including gas appliances, woodstoves, car exhaust, blocked flues, and even cigarette smoke.
Some people are more sensitive to carbon monoxide, and may show symptoms before others do.
Any of the following symptoms may indicate high levels of carbon monoxide.
Headaches.
A tight sensation in the chest.
Nausea.
Shortness of breath.
Vomiting.
Dizziness.
Fatigue.
A feeling of weakness.
Confusion or disorientation.
Visual disturbances.
Fainting and seizures.
Flu symptoms.
Infants may be irritable.
Pets can avoid certain areas.
Carbon monoxide can also affect the heart and central nervous system, and raise blood pressure. Carbon monoxide poisoning can damage the fetus of a pregnant woman.
Many areas in the UK, the US, and Canada have laws recommending (or even requiring) the use of carbon monoxide detectors in homes.
Older homeowners may not realize that. Even if the homeowner has no fireplace or woodstove, and no gas appliances, check the levels anyway.
For example, if a nearby neighbor has a wood stove and you (or the client) sleep with your window open, elevated carbon monoxide could explain some “symptoms” of a haunting.
If you regularly investigate haunted sites, be sure your home has very low levels of carbon monoxide, too.
If you’ve been sensitized to the gas, even low levels might trigger your symptoms at a “haunted” site. It could happen. Rule this out, immediately.
When you’re investigating a potentially haunted house and any symptoms match the warning list, carbon monoxide levels must be checked first.
If the homeowner does not have a carbon monoxide detector installed, and you don’t have a handheld monitor, call the fire department for advice.
Note: Before buying a handheld carbon monoxide meter, be sure to read the reviews.
If you’re investigating haunted homes and you can’t afford a good carbon monoxide detector, don’t bother with a cheap one. Either have the homeowner install carbon monoxide detectors in several places in the home – and use them for at least a week before you investigate – or ask the fire department if someone in the community can test the air for the homeowner.
A carbon monoxide meter that works is important. A cheap one that’s not reliable could put you and your client at risk.
So, either use a good detector or have the homeowner or someone else handle that part of the investigation.
For years, many of us have warned about dangerous aspects of ghost hunting.
From physical safety to legal issues, and personal liabilities to spiritual protection, this field has more pitfalls than most hobbies and professions.
In general, the paranormal community can be divided into three groups:
Those who know the risks and take appropriate precautions.
Those who don’t know the risks, or have only a vague idea, and aren’t as cautious as they might be.
Those who see the warning signs (literal and figurative) and ignore them, thinking they’re immune to the risks.
Experienced professionals usually know the risks and do what they can to minimize them. Event planners try to organize activities so no one is placed in unnecessary danger.
Trespassing (an illustrated rant)
A wide spectrum of ghost enthusiasts seem to be oblivious to all risks. I see that in my email inbox, with questions and tales of woe, daily.
But, the symptoms aren’t only in my incoming email. Looking for good videos to explain issues related to the haunted Eloise Insane Asylum in Michigan, I found three videos with the following content.
All were filmed by a group of kids, emulating the Ghost Hunters TV series.
First, the kids filmed the no trespassing sign. Then, they ignored it and entered the property anyway.
Then, they captioned portions of their videos, repeatedly proclaiming that they were on private property.
Worse, when one of the kids said she was afraid to slip under the fence because she might be arrested, her friends talked her into breaking the law.
Okay, they’re 12-year-olds, so you might ask, “Where were the parents?”
The answer…? In at least one part of the video, the mom was holding the camera.
I don’t want to single out these kids as if they’re an example of the primary problem.
They’re not.
Adults are doing this kind of thing even more often than kids are.
Laws and legal penalties aren’t the only dangers
The bigger issue is what “no trespassing” signs can indicate.
Those signs might indicate major safety problems, including some that may be life-threatening.
They might include something as simple (but deadly) as asbestos dust or as urgently perilous as structural damage. An issue might be toxic waste underground or a site known for harboring territorial, poisonous snakes.
And, almost all abandoned structures have rodent issues. I talked about that risk in my earlier podcast about ghost hunting and respiratory risks and in my article about ghost hunting and health issues.
Here’s the reason for alarm: With “no trespassing” signs prominently displayed, many site owners and communities figure they’ve done enough. They’ll make repairs later when they have more funds to work with.
They (reasonably) assume that the signs will protect an unwary visitor from putting him- or herself at risk.
“No trespassing” signs rarely go into detail. (When I last checked, the fenced-off area near Gilson Road Cemetery in Nashua, NH, did not explain that it’s a possibly toxic Superfund site.)
But, don’t rely on “no trespassing” signs as warnings.
Sometimes, we’re called into homes and businesses (in use, not abandoned) with significant risks – structural and health issues – as we explore moldy basements and attics with rodent droppings.
Every researcher needs to be aware of the dangers, as well as precautions to take.
Very sick and troubling dangers
I’ve talked about blunders with Ouija boards and sleazy people groping team members in the dark. I’ve ranted about cult-like groups and thrill-seekers with an adrenaline addiction.
So, yes, this field can seem like a minefield to the unwary.
The key word is “unwary.” Once you’re aware of the risks, you can evaluate which you’re okay with and what limits to place on your research.
In the past, I’ve avoided describing ghost hunting dangers because… well, that’s not the focus of this website.
In the 1990s, I wanted to interest people in ghost hunting.
Now, I’m doing my best to make ghost hunting interesting and safe.
Risks need to be assessed on a site-by-site basis.
It’s one thing to go into a paved, haunted cemetery after dark, where you’ll meet dozens of joggers and dog walkers.
It’s quite another to go into an abandoned building with a wide range of structural and health concerns.
Every site presents challenges. Know the risks you’re taking, not just in general but at the specific site you’re investigating, and the people you’re trusting in dark and low-light conditions.
Learn the best ways to find ghosts, in local (and legal!) places…
With step-by-step instructions and expert tips, you’ll learn how to conduct thorough investigations that reveal the true nature of haunted cemeteries and graveyards.
This is the classic guide, updated and expanded. It goes far beyond the basics. Whether you’re a seasoned ghost hunter or someone intrigued by eerie places, this book is your key to unlocking the mysteries that lie within haunted cemeteries.
“Sometimes, when I’m in that part of the house, I get shaky, dizzy, and I feel weak all over.”
For years, many of us have warned about dangerous aspects of ghost hunting.
