(Condensed Version 2000)

INTRODUCTION

Greetings. The purpose of this publication is to help provide you with an elementary understanding of what you may be facing in the field of paranormal investigations. Whether you are an agent in training or an outside advisor providing assistance, the information contained herein will help enable you to better understand the many, and often frightening, situations which you may encounter.

Here, we will attempt to better familiarize you with many of the basics of common paranormal field activities, and provide you with common sense data and explanations for many of the scenarios you may face. While it is impossible to cover every facet of this field in a publication such as this, this general overview should provide you with ample information to be of use to both yourself, and those with you.

Welcome to the wonderfully fascinating world of the supernatural and paranormal, and best of luck in your present endeavor.

Hauntings and Ghosts

While there are many different types of both hauntings and ghosts, in roughly 95% of all cases, these may be broken down into two very distinct categories: Residual and Interactive.

Residual ghosts and hauntings are the most common, accounting for better than 65% of all documented incidents. Simply put, a residual apparition is nothing more than a film-loop of a moment in time being played over and over again in a certain location, most often the exact spot where the scene being replayed occurred. Sound rarely if ever accompanies this type of haunting. They are often a well of useful information as they present the opportunity to see into the past to some extent.

Residual hauntings are perfectly harmless. No matter how gruesome or unpleasant the scene may be, it is not and cannot affect you in any physical way.

Interactive Ghosts and Hauntings, although not as common as residual, cover a much wider spectrum. Interactive ghosts are just that, spirits or apparitions that are not always bound to any one location or any pre-set actions. More often than not, these types of entities will make their presence known and felt by disrupting their surroundings or attempting communication with the living.

Doors opening on their own, lights going on and off, objects moving or rattling, all are tell-tale signs of an Interactive spirit.

While the vast majority of Interactive entities are either harmless or merely playfully annoying, a small number of them have been known to lash out against humans or other living creatures in their vicinity. In extremely rare cases, severe injury or even death has been attributed to malevolent Interactive spirits.

Procedures

It is normal to be nervous or outright scared when entering into situations such as the one you are now in. This goes doubly for advisors. It is unlikely that you have anything other than a "bare bones" knowledge of ghosts and the paranormal. Do not let this normal apprehension cripple you.

As you probably know by now, paranormal investigations of any type are planned out WELL in advance of entry into a possibly haunted area. While each and every situation has its own unique characteristics, standard procedures for field activity are in place to act as a road map. In other words, procedural recommendations are intended to simply keep you on the right path and keep danger to a minimum, NOT to restrict you to any one set of guidelines.

At this point, your Agent in Charge will decide how best to proceed. Your input and opinions are more than welcomed, but in the end, the final say goes to the leader of the investigation.

A NOTE TO CIVILIAN ADVISORS: While the Agent in Charge maintains overall control, your input and knowledge concerning both your surroundings and past incidents are highly valued. Since you are not officially bound by all N.A.A.P.I. regulations, considerable leverage is allowed to you in many instances. We ask only that you do not abuse this leverage in any way detrimental to the investigation or to your personal safety.

Common Sense Tips

1. Always remember that whatever the type of haunting you are investigating, you are facing nothing more than disembodied human beings, usually their souls or the like. With the exception of the darkest of the dark Demonic-type entities, virtually all ghosts are the ghosts of some "ONE". They were once human, and you are still human, common ground should be easy to find.

2. Never be afraid to seek interaction. Most spirits behave much like forest creatures, if you show fear then your chances for a successful investigation are severely hampered. Spirits will generally either remain elusive...most likely out of a desire to ease your fears...or they will seize upon your fear and turn it against you in the form of pranks and parlor tricks.

3. Know your territory. If you are a civilian or outside advisor, it is likely that you are only present because you ARE knowledgeable of the investigation site. For agents in training, make certain to learn as much about the site you are visiting as possible. Any and all details are crucial and NOTHING is ever too trivial.

4. Follow the leader. Your Agent in Charge is there because he or she knows what they are doing. Follow their directions and recommendations to the hilt and help them in any way you can. I.E. If your Agent in Charge says to run, don’t bother to ask "how fast", just move.

5. Be respectful of all paranormal entities. As mentioned in Tip One, it is likely that any spirits you encounter were once living, breathing humans just like you. While their bodies may be gone, their feelings are almost certainly intact...and probably heightened. Research shows that attempting to communicate with spirits on a sub-adult level is often counterproductive. Unless the spirit is confirmed to be that of a child or infant, speak TO it or OF it as you would any living being of the same age.

6. Pay attention at all times. If an Interactive spirit attempts communication with you, do not block it or refuse unless it sounds threatening. Allow it to speak or to be seen and take careful note of what is said and shown. It is very rare for a spirit to either appear or speak unless it has a VERY good reason to.

Remainder of publication, classified.