The Voice Recorder is another tool used by most investigators of ghostly phenomena.  We feel this is a legitimate tool to collect evidence because the majority of paranormal experiences contributed to ghosts are audible in nature.  There is, however, some debate on the quality of recorder that should be used to collect evidence, as well as what is considered evidence.

Many investigators (us included) have experienced voices that show up on our recording devices that were not heard by us at the time of collection.  This phenomenon has been dubbed Electronic Voice Phenomenon, or E.V.P.  There are many who feel that a low quality recorder should be used to collect E.V.P.'s because ghosts can use the white noise produced on these devices as material for communication.  This, yet again, is a trick used by dust chasers to give the illusion that something paranormal is occurring.  Through our research and subsequent use of  low quality recorders, we discovered that the constant stream of static coming from them can sound like many different things, factored by the human mind trying to make sense of the chaos.  As with most paranormal detecting devices, there are caveats to common sense that require the the willing suspension of disbelief for the use of these poor quality devices to seem practical.

We have also discovered that recorders, by their very nature, produce strange sounds that will seem paranormal to the unsuspecting listener.  When we first started our investigations, we discovered a plethera of sounds that had us baffled and believing they were above the normal.  Only after recording the exact same noises at other investigation sites did we finally understand that the source of the sounds was the recorder itself. 

We quickly abandoned the use of low quality recorders, instead using the model shown in the photograph above.  It is as high quality as you can get from your average electronics store.  It makes sense to use high quality recorders so that one can have a clearer understanding of what is being heard.  Furthermore, if you are investigating your client's claims, then you want to be able to document what they have reported hearing. It makes sence to use a device that will be as good as, or better than, the human ear.  The one problem with higher quality recorders is what makes them high quality in the first place.  They have the ability to filter out noise contaminates, and you could lose some good evidence if you do not understand this feature.  During one of our investigations, we clearly heard a female voice speaking to us within the same room we were in.  Upon reviewing the audio of two recording devices, we discovered that the voice was filtered out as a contaminant.  But this setting  can usually be adjusted, and the pros of using them outweigh the cons.  The rule of thumb should be 'quality is better'.  

A good camera is the absolute best tool you can have to document paranormal phenomena.  As the old saying goes 'Seeing is Believing'.  If someone else was able to see that apparition or strange creature walking across their yard, then so should a camera be able to see it.  Nothing you can do will get the attention of the skeptic like a good piece of video footage.

Most investigators out there use cameras with infrared sensitivity as their tool of choice, while others who have deeper pockets also use thermal imaging cameras.  Infrared cams allow one to see in near or total darkness by picking up infrared light from the elements that are a part of the camera.  If you are one of those investigators who, for some reason, believe that you have to investigate the paranormal in the dark, then this tool is a must.  Some people use them because they theorize that ghosts emit infrared light, and they believe that an infrared camera is the best way to detect that light.  True - they do detect that light, but infrared cameras contain light elements that emit this sort of light.  Trying to detect one within the other would be impossible, akin to dumping a cup of water into a bucket of water, and then trying to detect just the cup of water.

Thermal cameras detect heat and cold variations.  It's a pretty neat tool to play with and they have some interesting abilities (like detecting flatulence floating in the air).  The validity of this device still remains to be determined.  Some theorize that when a ghost manifests, it effects the environment around it; particularly the temperature.  If this is the case, then these cameras should pick up the variation and allow the viewer to see a representation of it.  These are also handy tools for the Cryptozologists who spend their time in wooded areas looking for the hard-to-find critters. 

These are very pricey, however, so only a lucky handful actually have them, although the costs of these cameras are dropping rapidly.