When is a personal experience evidence?

By: Sam Little

It is no secret that many groups have stopped considering personal accounts as actual evidence. This seems to come shortly after the sci-fi hit show "Ghosthunters" in which TAPS team leaders Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson state that personal accounts are not evidence. (Despite the fact they actually do count them as such) In our field which is a field of sensations and feelings how can we possibly rule out the personal feeling and experience. If anything we should look at it closer, after all we are usually called into a case because of personal experiences are we not?

I will be the first to say not every personal account should be deemed accurate and flawless evidence. Each experience needs to be credible. If we just simply look at the experience as a whole we can make better sense of the personal account. For example you get a cold chill in a cemetery at 9 PM in the Fall. That is in no way an accurate piece of evidence as the conditions make for that weather. That cold chill not only is not paranormal activity but it is not to be confused with a personal experience in regards to investigating the paranormal.

So how do we know what types of personal experiences can be considered valid evidence? That is a question that needs to be addressed, especially in the new age of technology ran investigations were the personal experience is being literally taken out of the field. In my opinion we must first look at one of paranormal researches first rules. Never go into a hunt alone. Always bring at least one partner with you. That being said, with another person you now have someone to correlate your own experiences. If both parties experience the same thing than possibly evidence has been found. Now this is still open to debate as subjective ness could play a role in the feelings of each party.

Also when looking at personal experiences correlate them with other evidence. If you get cold in a room check the room's temp and see if you have discovered a cold spot. Never assume all personal experiences are evidence or you will be bombarded with post investigation tasks.

Another key factor in deciding which personal experiences are noteworthy is simply look at the investigator making the claim. I as director of my team have gotten to know each of them well and know them not only as team mates but as friends. This gives me the ability to read them like a book. I know if one of my guys is not being honest and that makes it very easy for me to tell when an account is accurate and if I can use it as evidence or not. It is very important to Know the people you work with.

Another factor is the actual location. Evaluate all aspects to insure that any encounters are not natural. eating and cooling units have always served a thorn in the sides of paranormal researchers and should always be noted. While this was short and sweet I will be elaborating in detail on this in the near future, but for now Happy Hunting!!!!