ARKANSAS PARANORMAL & ANOMALOUS STUDIES TEAM 10/02/2009 MONTHLY GROUP MEETING

ARKANSAS PARANORMAL & ANOMALOUS STUDIES TEAM 10/02/2009 MONTHLY GROUP MEETING

Media/Misc. Updates Upcoming Events Investigation Review Training: Equipment

10/01 ParaFactor Radio, 8:45PM CST 10/07 Healing Farms Lunch (NLR), 12pm 10/14 Healing Farms Lunch (HS), 12pm 10/15 Terry Library (LR), 6:30pm CST 10/25 Isis Paranormal Radio, 7pm CST 10/27 Donna Voll Radio, 6pm CST 10/31 LIVE TV BROADCAST TBD ALICE 107.7, B98.5, POINT 94.1

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! PLEASE JOIN US! Date: Saturday, October 17, 2009 Place: Downtown Little Rock Deadline to Register: Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009 Cost: $25 ($26 online registration) Minimal Members: 10 participants Men: 3 Miles of Men ($25 or $26 online)

Alcatraz Episode December 2009

10/07 Healing Farms Lunch (NLR), 12pm 10/09 Booneville Historic Location 10/14 Healing Farms Lunch (HS), 12p 10/15 Terry Library, Little Rock, 6:30PM 10/17 Race for the Cure, Little Rock 10/17 Morrilton Historic Location 10/24 Filming for Halloween Show (LR) 10/31 LIVE Television Broadcast (LR)

09/12 Historical Location Booneville, AR.

The Core of Research Scientific method refers to a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be based on gathering observable, empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning. A scientific method consists of the collection of data through observation and experimentation, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses. Although procedures vary from one field of inquiry to another, identifiable features distinguish scientific inquiry from other methodologies of knowledge. Scientific researchers propose hypotheses as explanations of phenomena, and design experimental studies to test these hypotheses. These steps must be repeatable in order to dependably predict any future results. Theories that encompass wider domains of inquiry may bind many hypotheses together in a coherent structure. This in turn may help form new hypotheses or place groups of hypotheses into context.

What is the most important principle that each new scientist and paranormal investigator must embrace? Three words: TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING

Equipment for Paranormal Research It is essential that all primary equipment used in research should be scientific grade and able to be calibrated. The person using the equipment should be fully knowledgeable in the operation of the equipment and should have the ability to make a clear and concise appraisal of the data obtained. Once again.. TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING

ARPAST Training Session at Tuberculosis Sanatorium

Baseline Readings Baseline readings are an average compilation of environmental data obtained prior to conducting an investigation. This data includes but is not limited to: 1. EMF (electromagnetic field) 2. Temperature 3. Humidity 4. Barometric Pressure 5. Particle Count 6. Radiation 7. Carbon Monoxide

Example of Baseline Map

Baseline Equipment Utilized EMF Meter Particle Counter Kestrel Weather Tracker Carbon Monoxide Detector Air Ion Counter

EMF Meter Detects electromagnetic fields in measurements of milligauss. Useful for obtaining naturally occurring EMF levels in an environment that could present an explanatory cause for the alleged phenomenon.

EMF Meter is NOT a Tri-Corder for ghost detection

The EMF meter is the most commonly misunderstood piece of equipment used in paranormal investigation The meter should be handled as little as possible. The human body produces microvoltages of electricity that can be picked up by an EMF meter. Waving the meter in the air like a tricorder can produce a phenomenon known as meter deflection that can produce a small electromagnetic field just from the friction of movement with the air.

Triaxial EMF Meter Measures an electromagnetic field on a 3 dimensional axis. More accurate than the single axis EMF meter The preferred meter for baselines

EMF Specifications 1 2 milligauss is the normal accepted safe level for exposure. Any readings above that can have adverse physiological and psychological effects on perception. Symptoms of high EMF exposure include but are not limited to: 1. Skin irritations 2. Nausea 3. Paranoia 4. Feelings of being watched 5. Headaches 6. Chest compression 7. Hallucinations

High EMF Exposure is not pretty

Is there a correlation with EMF and paranormal phenomenon? Possibly.but the jury is still out on that. A lot more research is needed.

Kestrel Weather Tracker

The Kestrel Weather Tracker provides several pieces of environmental data These include: 1. Temperature 2. Humidity 3. Barometric pressure 4. Wind velocity 5. Dew point 6. Wind chill 7. Heat Index 8. Altitude

Purpose of the Kestrel In a paranormal investigation, temperature, barometric pressure, humidity and air flows can all be environmental factors that can be explanatory causes for the phenomenon. Theoretically paranormal activity can have an effect on any or all of these. The baseline protocol is designed to ensure that Kestrel baseline readings and midinvestigation readings are taken in a consistent manner that will allow comparisons to be made between sites, phenomena and different dates.

Laser Particle Counter AKA - The Orb Buster

Purpose of the particle counter Measures airborne particulate matter in an environment. Airborne matter can include a number particles such as dust, water, pollen, mold or smoke. Generally the higher the particle count the greater propensity there is for orb photos A high particle count can also be a health concern particularly if it is mold or pollen.

Ghosts???? Nope dust!!!

Innovision 451 Ion Chamber Survey Meter (Radiation)

Purpose of Air Ion Detects ionized particles in the air that could potentially indicate a radiation source in the environment. Designed to measure alpha above 4 MeV (Mega electron volts), beta above 100 kev (kilo electron volts),, and gamma & x-ray radiation above 7 kev, using the latest CMOS and LCD technology. If a potential radiation source is suspected we can then bring in the Alpha, Beta and Gamma radiation detectors for a more detailed and accurate analysis.

What is the problem with radiation? Aside from the obvious health effects we are all familiar with concerning long term exposure, short term exposure to radiation can also produce symptoms similar to high EMF exposure.

Effect of radiation exposure?

Fluke CO-220 Carbon Monoxide Meter

Purpose of Carbon Monoxide Meter In a paranormal investigation, all environmental data should be considered as possible causes of alleged paranormal phenomenon. The carbon monoxide meter measures the level of CO present in the local environment. High levels of carbon monoxide can present serious health concerns for individuals exposed. The protocols for the meter are designed to ensure that carbon monoxide baseline readings and midinvestigation readings are taken in a consistent manner that will allow comparisons to be made between sites, phenomena and different dates.

Effects of High Levels of Carbon Monoxide Once again, as with high EMF and high radiation, high levels of carbon monoxide can cause: 1. Skin irritations 2. Nausea 3. Paranoia 4. Feelings of being watched 5. Headaches 6. Chest compression 7. Hallucinations

Camera and DVR System

Purpose of Camera and DVR System In a paranormal investigation, cameras are frequently deployed throughout the investigation site to monitor for potential explanatory causes of the alleged phenomenon or to potentially capture evidence of the alleged phenomenon. Can deploy, monitor and record up to 8 cameras at once

Camera and DVR Specifications Paranormal investigations are commonly performed lights out to reduce potential evidence contamination by any light source. A conventional camera is incapable of recording anything in a dark environment so that is where the IR camera comes in to play. Frequently there are claims of shadow or figures seen in a location or objects that mysteriously move. The IR camera allows us to record any such phenomenon in a totally dark environment. Alternately, the IR cameras allow us to record researchers during the course of the investigation and correlate later to any inadvertent evidence contamination.

FLIR Thermal Camera

Purpose of FLIR Thermal Camera In a paranormal investigation, FLIR thermal cameras are frequently used by researchers throughout the investigation site to monitor for potential explanatory causes of the alleged phenomenon or to potentially capture evidence of the alleged phenomenon. The thermal camera takes a measure of all radiated, conducted or convected heat in an environment. When the camera scans the environment it sets a range from the highest to lowest temperature in the environment being analyzed. The range is color coded with usually the brightest color in the palette signifying the hottest temperature and the darkest color in the palette representing the coldest in the environment. A thermographic camera, sometimes called a FLIR (Forward Looking InfraRed), or an infrared camera less specifically, is a device that forms an image using infrared radiation, similar to a common camera that forms an image using visible light. Instead of the 450 750 nanometer range of the visible light camera, infrared cameras operate in wavelengths as long as 14,000 nm (14 µm).

The thermal camera is NOT ghost vision 360!

Understanding the FLIR The emissivity of a material (usually written ε) is the ratio of energy radiated by a particular material to energy radiated by a black body at the same temperature. It is a measure of a material's ability to radiate absorbed energy. In general, the duller and blacker a material is, the closer its emissivity is to 1. The more reflective a material is, the lower its emissivity. Highly polished silver has an emissivity of about 0.02. It is important to remember that thermal cameras can not see through glass. Glass is an opaque material. Opacity or opaque refers to something difficult to see through or perceive (glass). Glass, whether it be a window, door, cabinet, etc. will always reflect thermal radiation.

Lack of Knowledge of Basic Thermography and Operation of Camera can lead to misinterpretation Ghost at the Crescent? Nope, it is Grant s reflection in the locker Ghost at sanitorium? This one is still unexplained.

We have covered the primary equipment used in investigations. ARPAST has many other pieces of scientific equipment in our arsenal such as : The Box The Tesla Coil Full Spectrum Camera

The End

ANY QUESTIONS?