1. As members of N.E. Ohio Ghost Society it is our duty to remember that before, during and after an investigation, we are not only representing ourselves but also the N.E. Ohio Ghost Society. Failure to comply with these codes may result in termination from future investigations.

2. All long hair must be tied back or under a hat so as not to interfere with photographic data.

3. Be on time.

4. All questions from the public, police and others shall be directed to and answered by the onsite team leader or assistant team leader if so approved by N.E. Ohio Ghost Society before the investigation.

5. All investigations must be performed in a professional manner.

6. All investigators must respect the privacy of other people and places we are investigating.

7. Carry your photo ID with you at all times.

8. Never repeat anything that may not be true.

9. All investigators are to respect the site of investigation.

10. No littering at the site.

11. No obscene, foul, or abusive language.

12. No pranks or practical jokes.

13. No alcoholic beverages during or prior to an investigation.

14. No illegal drugs.

15. No weapons of any type are to be carried during an investigation.

16. Always look for the scientific explanation first.

17. No Ouija boards, tarot cards, séances or other forms of channeling.

18. Field reports must be filled out on location during investigations.

What to bring to an Investigation

The bare minimum

· 35 MM camera with at least 400-speed film (800 works better outdoors)

· Extra film and batteries for camera.

· Flashlight with spare batteries

· Notebook with pens and pencils and log sheets or hand held tape recorder.

More Advanced and Experienced

· Video camera (infrared ability recommended)

· Tape recorder with external microphone and high-grade tapes)

· Candles and matches (batteries often run low and you could run out)

· Compass

· Thermal Scanner (to detect rapid temperature drops and cold spots)

· Motion detectors

· Barometer (cold spots will also have strange pressure readings)

· Electromagnetic field detector (EMF) this will sense disturbances in the area

· Night scope

· 2 way radios

Optional Items

· Red cellophane to put over flashlights (to preserve night vision)

· First aid kit

· Cellular phone

· Food and water

· Baggies and/or clear containers for evidence

· Watch with a second hand

· Extra batteries

· Extra audiotapes

· Extra film

Reports

· Record everything. If you sneeze, log it in; it may have sounded like a spirit voice to another investigator elsewhere on the site.

· Include all readings in your reports. If you don't, you really don't have much research information.

· Each member that attended the investigation must turn in reports. (Team leaders will have a post investigation meeting)

· No conclusions, judgments, ECT of events should be made until the post meeting of the team.

Investigation

· Meet at the designated place on time.

· Supposedly, the best times for investigations are from 9pm until 6am, but any time can produce results.

· Absolutely no smoking is permitted on an investigation.

· Do not wear perfume, cologne or anything else with a noticeable scent.

· All members should walk through the site before the start of the investigation.

· Make sure all cameras have working batteries and are loaded with film and lens caps are removed.

· Always stay with a partner.

· If it is raining or snowing or foggy, reschedule it. You cannot conduct a proper investigation in these conditions.

· Keep an open mind and be respectful of the locations and the dead.

· Be skeptical. Always look for natural causes for the phenomenon first. As an investigator, you have to make sure your final evidence will stand up to scrutiny.

By eliminating all other explanations, your evidence becomes stronger proof.

Safety

· Never go alone. If you get hurt, who will get help? A minimum team of 3 is recommended.

· Make sure you let someone know where you will be.

Contacts

When it becomes necessary, N.E. Ohio Ghost Society will ask for phone numbers and e-mail address of all researchers. To keep updated on future events the newsletter is a great source to keep informed.

The Investigating Team

For every investigation, there should be a team leader. This person is in charge of all investigations at the site and will be responsible to match up researchers into teams. This person should be able to answer any questions that might be presented to him or her from any of the team and act as a spokesperson for the team. The team leader is also responsible for post investigation meetings and filing reports and making sure photograph's reach N.E. Ohio Ghost Society .

Before the Investigation

Check out the area in the daylight so you are familiar with it.

Look for "No Trespassing" signs. You can get permission from many owners and caretakers. It's not a bad idea to notify the local police and let them know you will be taking pictures in a graveyard, so they are aware of your presence. If you are asked to leave, do so immediately.

Find out all you can about the history of the locale. Newspapers, town historians, the Internet and books can be helpful finding folklore or hard facts about a site.

Photography Guidelines

* Use at least 400-speed film. If you are an experienced photographer, you may want to try infrared film.

* Make sure you note any other lights in the area so that when you view your developed pictures you will not think a streetlight is an orb.

* Let fellow investigators know when you are taking a photo to avoid double flashes and to allow the night scope operators to look away. (Night scope operators can get eye damage if they are looking at a flash through the scope, so this is important.)

* In cold weather, be conscious of your breath. It can look like mist.

* Some people like to ask the spirit if they can take their picture. (It can't hurt)

* N.E. Ohio Ghost Society will need copies of any positive photos for our report and files, so order double prints.