Paranormal Investigation: When Is It Necessary?

The title of this blog is a bit of a misnomer, because after all — is paranormal investigation ever really necessary? The answer is more complicated than it may seem, especially for paranormal investigators.

When we receive an inquiry by phone, text, or email, we follow a structured process.

The first step is for our intake coordinator to schedule a formal interview with the client. This interview helps determine the severity of the reported paranormal claims and allows us to gather preliminary information to aid in our research. The second step is to perform that research and begin exhausting logical and appropriate explanations for the experiences being reported.

This is where our discussion begins.

Our Intake Process for a Paranormal Investigation

Trish, The Eastern CT Paranormal Society case manager.

When our case manager conducts an interview, she follows a detailed questionnaire designed by the team. The questions are divided into several major categories: personal information, demographics, location information, paranormal claims, and investigation requirements.

Personal Information

The personal information section is largely self-explanatory. We want to know who you are, where you live, what you do for a living (including how long you’ve been in that role), and whether you hold any religious or spiritual beliefs. We also ask how many people reside in the household and how best to contact you moving forward.

This section also includes questions specifically related to paranormal experiences. We ask whether you believe you have any extrasensory abilities, whether you have a history with the paranormal, whether you speak any foreign languages, and who else in the household has experienced the reported activity.

Follow-up questions may include inquiries about current medications, family history of mental illness, and any current or past issues with drug or alcohol use.

As you can see, this category alone provides a substantial amount of information. These questions help us begin narrowing down possible explanations and give us insight into the client’s state of mind — how they think, and how their environment may be influencing their experiences. This process also allows us to address potential medical or psychiatric concerns. While we take clients’ claims seriously, it is essential to rule out medical causes, both to protect everyone involved and to ensure we are acting in the client’s best interest. Attributing paranormal experiences to spiritual causes when a medical explanation exists does not serve the truth and does not help the client.

Location Information

The location information category focuses on the environment itself. We gather details about the type of residence, when it was built, its layout, any renovations that have been done, and where paranormal activity is reportedly concentrated.

We also ask about possible logical explanations, such as plumbing or electrical issues, whether professional inspections have been conducted, whether there is a history of pests, and whether any items were left behind by previous owners.

At first glance, these questions may seem unrelated. In reality, they serve a greater purpose. Each category incorporates both spiritual and logical perspectives, because approaching a situation from only one viewpoint can introduce bias. We believe it is essential to remain open-minded — both to what the client is experiencing and to what may actually be occurring in the home.

Paranormal Claims

Next is the paranormal claims section. Here, we want to hear directly about your experiences. Are you seeing shadow figures or apparitions? Are you sensing feelings of anger, sadness, or negativity? Are electronics malfunctioning? Are doors or cabinets opening on their own? Are objects disappearing or being rearranged without explanation? Have you experienced physical contact or harm?

This section also explores what steps you’ve already taken to address the activity, what you believe may be causing it, and what outcome you’re hoping for. This portion of the interview is spiritual in nature and focuses on the lived experience of the client.

Investigation Requirements

Finally, we discuss investigation requirements. These are conditions that must be met before an investigation can take place. Unless otherwise discussed, all people and pets must be absent from the property during the investigation. While exceptions do exist, this applies in the vast majority of cases.

This is not because we want clients to leave — it’s because controlling the environment is essential. Fewer people means less ambient noise, fewer variables, and greater clarity regarding who is present and where.

Additional requirements include access to parking, appropriate heating or cooling, seating for investigators, and ensuring that drugs or weapons are secured. All necessary waivers and forms must be signed before we arrive. While the residence does not need to be spotless, it must be hygienic and safe. We also take precautions to avoid health risks such as pests and environmental hazards, especially since we often conduct investigations in low-light conditions.

Screening for Red Flags

As a bonus category — used only by the interviewer — we also screen for psychiatric red flags. Indicators such as untreated mental illness, tangential thinking, hostility, or fixation on conspiracy theories are noted.

Encountering one or two red flags does not automatically disqualify a client from an investigation, but they provide valuable insight into what may be happening and how best to proceed.

Conclusion

So, when is a paranormal investigation necessary?

The answer is simple in theory but complex in practice: when all other possible explanations have been exhausted. This determination requires a careful, methodical process — one that must be followed if real help is to be offered and meaningful answers are to be found.

We are here to work with you, not against you. If you trust the process, remain open-minded, and work with us, we will find an answer. Whether that answer is paranormal, scientific, or something else entirely, our goal is always the same: To find the truth and help bring resolution to your experience.