Haunted

[Scipios]

We have re-defined the word haunted for our own purposes.

HAUNTED

Oxford English Dictionary definition: adjective 1 (of a place) frequented by a ghost. 2 having or showing signs of mental anguish.

Common definition: a place that contains one or more ghosts or poltergeists and unexplained occurrences take place on a regular basis.

Our own definition: a place that exhibits unexplained phenomena meeting an investigation criteria of 6 points.

Points are awarded to each and every piece of evidence that is encountered on an investigation including personal second and third hand accounts and anything witnessed or experienced by our own team. Each phenomena is given a score of 10 and has points subtracted dependent on any incongruities, contradictions or any negative variables that may have to be considered. If the resulting score is 6 or greater than we consider the place to be haunted, or to be more precise, we consider the place to have experienced unexplained phenomena. As a caveat to this, the word unexplained should be qualified by the point that the phenomena will be classed as unexplained 'as far as we know' and it is possible that any further investigation or research could unearth a logical explanation.

[rhentang]

whats the 6 point criteria?

[Scipios]

Stop asking complicated questions. I'll dig out what we drew up for this.

[Blubird]

If when we do an investigation and the place, building, area gets a total score of over 6 points then it is deemed to be haunted, or at least the experience is deemed to be unexplainable.

We get the score by speaking to witnesess researching the location thoroughly or as far as we can to see if any information given can be, or is, verfied by factual accounts.

We start with each episode/experience being given ten points, for no particular reason except that then we can deduct points for each discrepancy.
So for example a person sees something strange which they feel is paranormal, we would ask relevent questions.
For example was it witnessed by another person.
We would dectuct say one point if there was no other witness, because it cant be verified.
We would ask about the weather conditions, lighting etc etc was it just a trick of the light. If we test that theory and find it could have been a trick of the light then another point is deducted.
There are various questions we can ask in a situation which either keeps the score the same or reduces it. If it reaches below 6 then its deemed not paranormal and or explainable.

[rhentang]

always remember to ask if the witness is on medication - its relevant, tho potentially tricky to ask.

[Blubird]

We have medical questions on the questionaires we get people to fill out before hand. Although me and pete are qualified first aiders we really dont want to test our skills out LOL

So were just being nosey as to whether anyone has any heart conditions, we wont jump out on them if they do LOL

[Scipios]

Or drugs or alcohol as well.

[rhentang]

well theres half the fun away then.

[Blubird]

Its an excellent indicator as to how some people will possibly react. Plus it helps us know who might be spooked and that means we can keep an eye out on them so they dont feel like their just left to deal with any experiences on their own.

[mollie]

You'd need to do some sort of cursory psychological evaluation via a questionnaire or something of that nature- make sure the person ain't schizo or something LOL.

There is also the subjective/objective perspective... how would you evaluate the experient's perception of phenomena?

[Blubird]

We already do a questionaire of a psychological nature Mollie, were proper ghost hunters we are LOL

But seriously we do have a psychological questionaire that we give out before we start. We can then make some assessments as to who and what we have as guests!!

[Scipios]

I think I'm going to change the questionnaire we have, or at least change some of the questions.

[rhentang]

cut out the middle man - Are you Nuts should be on it.

[Blubird]

I think thats one of the first questions Rhen LOL

We need to have like minded people on board LOL

[mollie]

Take into consideration the sheep/goat effect, which I'm sure you've included in your evaluation.