The ghost hunters are the people who hunt the paranormal in the dead of the night. They primarily look for spirits, who are haunting the place of the living. The spirits not necessarily hunt the living, but may be just want to exist in the present.
The ghost hunters can usually consist of 4 to 8 people who are in search for the paranormal activities. The work of the ghost a hunter is very scientific and includes only a few types of equipment, which help them to identify the paranormal activities and sources.
The equipments are usually very simple. They will include audio recording equipments, EMF meter, compass, Infra red boosters and hydrometer. Other equipments may be required from time to time depending on the complexity and criticality of the paranormal object. A photographic camera, torch, video camera, motion detectors and walkie talkies are also part of the standard equipment for hunting ghosts. An EMF meter or the electro Magnetic Meter is an integral part of such expedition as it can pick up the smallest disturbance of the electro magnetic field and electro magnetic radiation. It is advisable to keep a spare of the battery and films because the battery of and films exhaust.
The first ghost hunting can be recorded back in the year 100 AD. It was only in the 1880’s that modern scientific methods was used to bring the paranormal activities under a controlled environment. The work of a ghost hunter was to collect evidence regarding apparitions, haunted houses, and other similar phenomena. Ghost hunting became a part-timer hobby of many and this gave rise to a few so called ‘ghost-clubs’. This happened predominantly in the 1970s. However, it was only later in the 1980s we could see some proper associations being formed. Professional ghost hunters came together to unearth the truth and fact of the haunted and the haunting. Their job was to analyze, interpret and discover the cause and effect of the supernatural activities.
According to the ghost hunters the preferred time to conduct investigation is during the evening hours, because they believe that the paranormal activities are at its peak during these hours. Again there are different theories for different group of ghost hunters. Some groups believe in total black out situation, when they can see the apparition in the dark.
The ghost hunters also have a few categories. The first group consists of hobbyists, to whom this is more of a thrill and excitement of experiencing the supernatural. The second groups are the serious research oriented people. They mostly are from the associations, who follow scientific methods and tools to research the cause and effect of supernatural activity. They share their research works and try to prove the existence of the ghosts. The third group of people is the professionals to whom ghost hunting is to provide assistance to the people who are experiencing paranormal activities. They assist these victims, of paranormal activities, in providing advice and reassurance and comfort them.
The practice of ghost hunting is done by many groups and some of them promote their results of investigation on the websites. Some skeptics, however, have challenged such findings. To them it is a matter of unethical practice and belief. They also are skeptic about the methods used by the ghost hunters and about the qualification of a few ghost hunters.
The ghost hunters or their groups are now providing tours to the public as well. At a nominal charge the common man can view and feel the paranormal activities. Though the groups are usually small, but the experience can be quite thrilling and chilling. Such tours or expeditions are usually taken at places which have benign spirit. A benign spirit is a good natured spirit, who does not harm people. Charges for such investigations are also less. At about $50 to $100 for a night out, one can get the systematic tour of the haunted place and can even take pictures for such paranormal activities. Quite a number of movies have been filmed on such theories and themes as well. The Exorcist, Poltergeist, Omen, Ghostbusters and movies with different point of views have been filmed to prove that the spirits do exist and such paranormal activities do happen.
Some ghost hunters have also keen interest in the sightings of UFO as well. To them this is very much a part of the paranormal activity. Some investigations have been undertaken, but there is no concrete evidence of such activities. However, the thirst for such supernatural activities is always there and so is the enthusiasm of the ghost hunters.
Whatever may be the reason, the ghost hunters are here to stay and investigate the supernatural. Their works will remain debated, criticized and debauched, but their enthusiasm and thrill of investigating the unearthly spirits will remain a fascination for all.