FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q.  What makes your group different?

A.  Several things make us different. We firmly believe in Honor, Respect and Integrity in our work.

We only present anomalies we can back up with data as paranormal. We don’t just call everything we don’t understand “paranormal” like many groups on the internet do which as a result; they tarnish the existence of reputable groups and individuals who pursue true scientific means and protocol in their work and in their public relations regarding paranormal research.

We don’t sensationalize any of our findings.

We only go to places we have written permission to investigate.

We are completely respectful to our clients, their property, the grounds and the situation / circumstances which caused the client to contact us in the first place.

We follow in the footsteps of the science and approach every investigation as such.

We debunk, document, and strive to understand what is occurring in a given situation. We are not interested in collecting a mass collection of evidence that can be reputed.

In our investigations, we utilize and combine personal knowledge, logic, and insight with individual experience, witness interviews, environmental analysis and documentation to achieve the best level of understanding in regards to the study of the reported activity as it compared to paranormal phenomena.

We respect the privacy of the families, homes, and businesses we help and work with. No names, locations, or evidence is displayed on this website unless permission is given to do so.

As a research organization, we strive for professionalism, credibility and the ability to provide answers, assistance and/or comfort to our clients that need us.

Q.  Is your group religion based or “anti-religious”

A.  No, we feel that religion can have a wonderful place in the life of the individual. However, we think, as researchers, that religion in general has no need to be applied or filtered into researching the paranormal. If we feel that an individual's religion or spirituality will in some way help them, then we will direct and even help them to pursue that avenue. Though to reiterate, we, as a research group, feel that religion is not applicable to what we do as researchers; the reasons for this are thus explained:

If we, as researchers, are pursuing science and truth, to the best of our known ability, we will, by default, meet up with those tenets of religion which are also true.

Science pursues the unknown by studying and learning about that which can be known, as it is able and available to be understood. Religion already professes an understanding of the unknown. So, to apply it to a process who's focus is pursuing knowledge of the unknown is simply contradictory. Having said that, we are not out to confirm or deny the validity of any religious practice, belief or doctrine.

By coincidence, all of our members are currently of a Christian based faith. We may use our personal religion and prayers for our own personal protection as we feel we need.

Q.   Why is your group larger then most?

A.  It’s true. It seems most, or many, groups have around 6-8 members where we have typically 12-15. We do this so we have plenty of experienced and trained members available at any given time if needed.

Q.  Does it cost for a paranormal investigation?

A.  No. We don’t charge a cent to investigate, in fact, it costs us to perform an investigation but we are willing to absorb that cost in the interest of gaining further knowledge in the paranormal field. Also, we are not interested in making money from people's concerns, fears, or problems. We are interested in researching and documenting paranormal activity as well as providing accurate information and feedback to inquiring families and individuals who are in need. We do what we do as a paranormal research group because we enjoy it for what it is; the helping of others is simply a benefit.

Q.  Do you accept donations?

A.  Yes. Since we don’t charge for conducting investigations, we are self funded and every little bit helps cover our costs for equipment, website and investigations in general. We are registered (Incorporated) with the State of Tennessee as a non-profit organization but we have not yet achieved 501c3 status from the IRS so donations may or may not be tax deductible.

Q.  Where are you located? Where is your office?

A.  Our office is in Cleveland, TN. Our members are from areas surrounding Cleveland such as: Chattanooga, TN, Ringgold, GA, Chickamauga, GA, etc.

Q.  What geographical areas do you cover?

A.  Generally, we typically investigate in an area of about 150 miles from the Chattanooga, TN area. We will go further depending on the investigative opportunity and group funding.

Q.  How far will you go for an investigation?

A.  The only limit on how far we are willing to go is our organizational funding. If we are requested to investigate a location of significant distance, we may ask for assistance in covering the associated costs.

Q.  How long has your group been around?

 A. Our group was founded on February 23, 2007. So at this point, we have been around for just over 2 ½ years.

Q.  How many investigations has your group done?

 A.  As of this date (August 18, 2009) we have conducted 57 paranormal research investigations, of which we have only declared 5 (8.8%) locations as “Haunted”.

Q.  When you find evidence of “ghosts” do you get rid of them?

A.  No. We investigate in attempt to gather evidence that there is or is not paranormal activity present. If it is determined that there is paranormal activity, we will take any evidence we have to your spiritual leader (any religion or non-religion) or find someone qualified to remove any perceived entities. Our role is investigative, anything beyond that needs to be handled with person(s) with the proper experience, knowledge and expertise to do so.

Q.  Do you use psychics?

A.  We have used psychics a few times. In order for us to use a psychic, there has to be an apparent need for it before the investigation. When we use a psychic or Sensitive, we ONLY use such that has had formal training and/or a documented proven track record of their abilities, but are regarded as a secondary source; one which is used as a means to provide direction and insight for investigative purposes and as a basis for historical research. As well as to help correlate instrument based findings with psychic and or personal experiences and feelings. We do not allow untrained psychics on our investigations as their training ground.

Q.  Do you use Dowsing rods, Ouija boards, Tarot cards, séances?

 A.  NO. We investigate locations where paranormal activity is being reported to already be present. We are not interested in summoning or conjuring spirits to a location. In our view, that could be dangerous.

Q: How do I capture a ghost?

A: Unlike Dr. Venkman, Spangler or Egon from the movie Ghostbusters, no one is able to catch nor contain a ghost.  It's hard enough to catch one on film or audio, much less in some sort of container. When we use the term “capture” we mean in the form of film, video, audio or digital image.

Q.  Why are your organization shirts Black? 

A.  First, their not black because we think it looks cool or mysterious. They are black because we use high powered infrared video equipment on our investigations. Infrared is mostly a grayish color on video. The infrared will make lighter or light colors glow and sometimes even cast a shadow in the video. Black shirts prevent this from happening, thus reducing or preventing this natural occurrence from being mistaken as paranormal.

Q.  Why do you investigate at night, when some people see ghosts during the daytime?

 A.  It is believed that UV (ultra-violet) light hinders the ability to see or capture spirits on film or from being visible to the naked eye. Investigating at night, in darkness, we are able to use infrared lighting which blocks out the unwanted UV light as well as allows us to see things we normally couldn’t see with UV light.

Q.  Can just anyone join your group and be an Investigator?

A.  Not really. We screen and interview potential applicants carefully. Once an applicant is accepted for membership, they go through a probationary period which is “task based”. If they complete all their assigned tasks, they become a full member as an “Investigator-in-Training. A member must be with us for at least 6 months before they can request to take our “Investigators Test”. If the Board of Directors approves their request to take the test (based on their performance, knowledge, etc.) they are given the test. They must achieve a score of 85% or better in order to pass the test and given the title of “Investigator”. If the member fails the test, they cannot take it again for 6 months.

This ensures anyone in our group with the title of “Investigator” has earned their title through hard work, dedication, extensive experience and knowledge.

Q: Are orbs ghosts?

A: Orbs are a very touchy subject in the paranormal community.  We at G.H.O.S.T., Inc. and most other organizations will tell you that Orbs can be caused by dust and water particles in the air, which is more common then you may think. Unfortunately, there are groups that present “orbs” as ghosts or spirits without having studied or researched the carious types of airborn matter that can cause natural orbs. When you have a group of people roaming the various floors of a location (or even a single floor) they are going to kick debre into the air. Also a lot of these locations tend to be older buildings which will also contribute to the existence of air born matter. Having small teams and controlling their movement as well as monitoring the environment helps to eliminate this and similar problems other investigative teams seem to create. The type of “orb” that is sought, during a paranormal investigation, is what is referred to as an “Energy Orb”. The energy orbs are distinctly different from common moisture or air particle orbs. Even if we were to find an energy orb, there is no way to differentiate whether it is common natural energy or energy from a ghost or spirit. So, in most cases, no….orbs aren’t ghosts. In the rare cases where an energy orb is found, the only possible answer is “possibly, in theory only”.