NIPS are constantly striving to lead the way in paranormal research in Northern Ireland. We are always looking for both new & modern methods of research and below are just some of the techniques that we at NIPS are using and the phenomenon currently under investigation..

So often we see many groups who claim to research the paranormal, and in many cases this mainly consists of only visiting allegedly haunted locations armed with basic equipment for which many don’t fully understand its proper uses. Many groups get caught up in aimlessly competing against others, whilst posting usually irrelevant images and regurgitating unreliable information from other sources. We do not follow such practice and treat our work with great importance, striving to find the truth in all claims of the paranormal drawing conclusion through our own tireless research and experimentation.

All experiments are carried out great attention to detail and no stone will be left unturned on our quest for the truth. If anyone else who treats their research as seriously can offer some help or would like to work with NIPS on some experiments please feel free to contact us and we will be glad to talk to you. Let’s push the bar and put an end to the trend of cutting & pasting 'research' or simply having faith in what others say without first researching scientifically for ourselves.

Some of the research we are paying particular attention to will be Instrumental Transcommunication (ITC), Infrasound and it effects, Mediumship, EVP, Light Anomalies (Orbs), Spirit communication and also the part our own subconscious mind can play in fooling us. We would like to stress that we are not here to debunk all cases of the paranormal but to bring credibility to our research thus being certain before we make claims of the explanation being a paranormal one. Many of the team believe that we continue on in life after the physical death as some have had unexplained experiences over the years. However, we are also of the belief that many natural occurrences can often explain claims of seemingly paranormal activity.

NIPS have a firm belief that some of the best paranormal evidence that can be caught is that of EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena). We use the most up to date system on the market today to capture EVP. Once captured, audio is transferred to the laptop where Adobe Audition is used for noise and hiss reduction to cut out all distortion, meaning we can listen back to EVP within minutes of capture & whilst still on investigation.

The team are currently investigating the possibility that EVPs are being found consistently within a particular frequency range. We will be probing this further and will release further info on this Hz range until more evidence is readily available.

We are also presently experimenting with different types of Lens, light sources and filters for both Digital photography & motion picture.

Darren Ansell.

 

NIPS meet local Eye Expert

Recently NIPS met with an eye surgeon in one of Belfast's main hospitals. The purpose of the visit was to understand more about human vision and its effects on our perception of the world around us. This also ties in with some of the experiments and research we have recently been looking at in the area of light spectrums and also how various visual defects and diseases can make some individuals feels that they are having visions etc.

The visit was extremely interesting and of huge benefit to the groups research. Following the teams recent decision on a change of direction, we have already lined up a number of meetings with other local experts in order to gain a full understanding of the human body & the five senses. This will enable the team to design experiments and investigation methods to further our understanding of claims of alledgedly paranormal activity.

 

Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP)

A form of ITC, this is the ability to record voices believed to be of paranormal origin on to electronic equipment. Methods of recording EVP and the quality of EVP being recorded have advanced to an astounding level. It’s happening all over the world and it is baffling scientists and experts who are now being forced to re-think many of the scientific theories they thought so long to be true. Even Thomas Edison believed that a sensitive recording device would provide a better chance of spirit communication than more primitive methods such as table tipping or Ouija Boards as he stated in an interview with Scientific American Magazine. Dr. Konstantīns Raudive, a Latvian psychologist who taught at the University of Uppsala in Sweden, made over 100,000 recordings which he described as being communications with “discarnate” people. These recordings were conducted in an RF screened lab which eliminated the possibility of contamination by stray radio signals. Not only were words identifiable, many were in direct response to questions asked.
It is possible, as in photographic evidence and video evidence, for the ear to play tricks on us and for random noise to become something that resembles human speech.  This is a common mistake made by the hobby ghost hunter who is not trained in audio recording, editing and analysis.  This is where the equipment comes in and the knowledge of how to use it.  We don’t just simply use our ear.  We use our equipment which tells us the frequency of all background noise, the frequency of each of the individual’s voices who are at the location and therefore, the frequency of anything that technically shouldn’t be there.  In most instances of recording EVP, our ear is the last in the line of tools which are used.  Most times we see an EVP on a graph before we go back and analyze it. 

Advanced recording methods and sophisticated recording devices are now capable of scanning a wide range of frequencies previously un-accessible to the human ear. This enables Paranormal Investigators to capture, record and broadcast voices which are believed to be from the “unknown”. Sometimes picking up voices which seem to be somehow recorded into the atmosphere of a location where a traumatic incident occurred and often getting direct answers to questions on other occasions. The concept may sound strange and impossible to some people but one must remember, photography was once thought to be paranormal. Natives believed it stole their soul. The concept of x-ray technology was thought to have paranormal qualities when the idea first came about and it's now being used in every medical center in the world. Gravity existed before it was discovered and scientifically explained, though the specifics as to how it worked would have blown the minds of people who lived in times before it became science. Throughout the history of mankind, things we couldn't explain have scared us, often labeled as witchcraft. Many of those things are now a part of science and have been introduced into our everyday lives. Many we can't live without. Even today, people fear what they don't understand and can't explain, however, this does not mean that it is not possible. This does not mean that it will not someday be explainable. What is “paranormal” today, may be common science tomorrow.

Frank's Box

An example of technology developed with the intention of spirit communication is a device created by Frank Sumption which he called the "Ghost Box". This device scans AM and FM frequencies continuously. The theory being that on certain frequencies, spirits may be able to leave messages which can be heard as they are being communicated. The problem with "Franks Box" is the fact that the results achieved can never be submitted as paranormal evidence. The possibility of contamination is 100%. The possibility of stray radio signals is 100%. The possibility of Auditory Pareidolia is considerably high. This is another popular toy used by the hobby ghost hunter usually lacking the knowledge and expertise to operate audio equipment in order to obtain true EVPs.

The purpose of a paranormal investigator is to submit evidence of the paranormal in a fashion which eliminates any known domestic or scientific possibility for the phenomena being captured. When using a device which is capable of receiving electronic transmissions while working on the basis of audio contamination and stray radio signals, there is no possibility of the results achieved ever being considered evidence of the paranormal. In scientific paranormal investigation, Franks Box is considered no more than a hobbyist, electronic version of the Ouija board. The planchette may move to a letter but this can never be used as proof of the paranormal because it is required that the participants place their fingers on it. This creates the possibility that it may be conscious or subconscious movement of the participant’s hands on the planchette. Franks Box may pick up a voice which may even seem to be in response to a question asked, though this is hardly surprising being that it is designed to scan and receive stray radio signals which carry thousands of broadcasted voices. Results from this device are much more likely to be the effects of Auditory Pareidolia rather than paranormal occurrences.

A true EVP must be captured on a device which is not technically capable of receiving radio signals of any kind. The session must be controlled and the environment monitored and controlled as much as possible. All domestic and scientific possibilities must be considered and eliminated and the session should be overseen by a trained audio expert.

Franks Box, though a fascinating concept, is more likely to end up on the shelves of toy stores across the world than in the hands of the serious paranormal investigator. 

Mark Cowden (The Hat).

 

Research & Evidence Gathering

The subject of the paranormal, particularly in the field of spirits, is a very difficult one to research and investigate. With no government funded projects, or real evidence offered by a research team or by an alleged medium, the search for evidence of the soul surviving the physical death can be a long and soul destroying process (excuse the pun). I have been involved in paranormal research since 2002, and to be honest I am not much further on in capturing that which we know in this field as, 'the holy grail’, that is a full apparition forming on camera. I have over the years, witnessed many apparitions and been left confused with what I perceive to have been paranormal experiences. Unfortunately none of these sightings were caught on camera. I know many would feel frustrated as I have with this, but isn't it typical?

My experiences over the years have left me believing that there must be life after death, or am I jumping too quickly to this conclusion? Is it merely the brain playing tricks on us? I could easily buy into that idea. However, on one occasion, myself and another person both seen the same thing at the same time, a woman standing on stairs looking at us, vanishing after only a few seconds. The possibility of it having been my eyes or brain playing tricks was certainly ruled out on that occasion. It is all too easy to label everything we experience as a spirit or paranormal and I believe to give this type of research any credit, you must be big enough and mature enough to admit being wrong on some of your life time beliefs and thoughts. There shouldn’t be any fear in doing this, as it doesn’t mean the idea of an afterlife not existing, it simply puts you on the right track with research, rather than wasting time on something that turns out to have a completely normal explanation. If proper balanced research had been applied, many years may not have been wasted. A good example of this is the whole orb phenomena, many still get excited by pictures and videos, believing that what they have captured is the first manifestation of spirit. The hype around orbs got us interested a few years back, as we were also getting these orbs, or better referred to as light anomalies on our own footage. After some thinking and research it soon became clear to us that what we were picking up was simply dust, and other airborne particles (see research section below). However, others still believe this to be of a spiritual nature. Before looking for that evidence, you have got to understand the surrounding environment first, what can cause you believe you are communicating with the dead, or experiencing spirit activity.

The side effects of EM fields, infrasound and low levels of carbon monoxide are amongst those which can fool an individual into thinking they are having a paranormal experience. You then need to understand yourself and your own mind, before going to a location. You may already have preconceived ideas, and every little sound then becomes spirit making themselves known. When the lights go out it takes a while for the eyes to adjust. Many see little lights or even mists, which can be of varying colours and can also be further affected if you have any form of colour blindness, but it can all be explained. Can the subconscious mind fool you and lead you to believe that spirit is communicating through the use of a glass on a Ouija board, or are you tapping into a higher form of consciousness? Then of course you need to be sure you know your equipment properly and understand that even these can contribute to false readings, or images and sounds on your recording equipment that can be mistaken as that of a ghostly one. Only after getting to grips with all this, can you then start to form an educated and balanced opinion in your research and investigating and believe me, even then, once one question is answered, another ten need answered. Below you will find some of our own research we have been involved in and areas we plan to look at in the future.

Darren Ansell.

 

Effects of the Subconscious Mind

The Subconscious mind refers to the hidden area of the mind where information may be stored without our conscious decision to store and process such information; the phrase was coined by a psychologist preceding Sigmund Freud, ‘Pierre Janet (1859 – 1947). In spite of years of extensive research there is still much to learn of the effect the subconscious mind can have on behaviour and perceptions. Any research into the paranormal would have to take into consideration any information a person may hold in their subconscious which may then distort or alter their perceptions of environmental stimuli.
It is important to understand that when visiting an area where apparent paranormal activity has taken place each person will bring with them a different set of beliefs and experiences. Those who believe in the paranormal are more likely to attach a paranormal consequence to stimuli whereas those who would consider themselves as sceptical may search for. Wiseman et al (1997) stated that “Prior experience could increase the likelihood that people report unusual experiences”
The power of suggestion must also be taken into consideration when analysing the role of the subconscious in paranormal investigation. Information may be presented subconsciously to an investigator before they visited a particular paranormal site. For example if an investigator was to read that cold spots are common in a paranormal experience they may subconsciously begin to attach the two together and relate significance to each cold spot they encounter. Television and films in particular may cause a person subconsciously to expect such scenarios, or attach particular significance to events when investigating a particular paranormal area.
It is generally thought that in a heightened emotional state, such as fear, depression or happiness a human may be more likely to attach significance to stimuli to factors outside of human control. An example of this may be winning a lotto because one’s particular numbers were ‘Lucky’. When approaching a paranormal scene it will be very possible that based on prior knowledge and suggestions the investigators sense of fear and anticipation may be increased without the investigator being fully aware of this. Subconscious fear of: the unknown, of the dark, of having no control of events will further add to this heightened emotional state.

Consequently in the field of paranormal research the areas of Suggestion and Perception are fundamentally linked. It is important that one considers the effect their subconscious mind may have on the investigation, and by realising this one can investigate objectively and not jump to unsubstantiated conclusions.

Cormac Donnelly.

Possession & Demonology

NIPS are currently researching the field of Demonology and the theory behind spirit possession. We will be meeting individuals over the next year who have had experience with cases of alledged possession, or indeed believe may have been themselves possessed.

To aid us with our research, we would invite anyone with experience of this alledged phenomenon to contact the group. Darren is currently researching this area with more info to follow soon.

 

Light & Sound

One of the areas of research we are currently looking into is in understanding light and sound. On our quest to discover if life continues after death, we have been led down this path.  Putting aside for a second everything that we know that can make us believe we are having a spiritual or paranormal experience and assuming that spirits do indeed exist, then why can't we see or hear them?  If any credible research team are to try to find that evidence, then this is where we need to focus our research, rather than getting excited about personal experiences, or environmental changes like temperature fluctuations etc., which all can have a normal explanation in most cases.  It is important to have as many controls as possible while experimenting; however with the digital age firmly upon us it is difficult to present anything as being evidential, as it is so easy to fake photographs/video etc.  If indeed these types of experiments do produce some interesting results, then it is important to have everything controlled and maybe have experts on location to verify that all is carried out correctly.

We first became interested in this area after being involved in many private residential cases where young children allegedly reported seeing people in their home and in some cases dead relatives they had never met or known about.  With some alleged mediums claiming to either hear or see spirit and many reports of dogs barking etc. at a particular spot or empty space, we then decided to turn our attention to understanding our own senses, and that of some animals.  As humans we are practically blind and deaf.  We can only see and hear into a very small area in both the light and sound spectrum.

Let’s look at the light spectrum first.  All that we can see is visible light or better known as the colours of the rainbow.  This visible light is a small section in the middle of the light spectrum.  At the far ends of this spectrum are UV and IR.  The best way to understand this is to imagine driving along a dark road at night with your car headlights on; you can see that which the light allows you to see in front of you, everything else is still around but you just can't see it.  However, because you can't see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.  The sound spectrum is similar, our ears are only capable of picking up sound in a small area of this spectrum.  At each end of this spectrum you have Infrasound and Ultrasound.  Again, as humans we are not capable of hearing into these frequencies, although we know that some mammals and other animals communicate in these frequencies, with dogs for example able to see into particular colour frequencies.  Some equipment has aided in allowing us to see and hear that which we would not normally see.  IR cameras are a good example of this, the human eye can’t see into this colour frequency, but the camera can pick it up, allowing you to see into this end of the spectrum, which the naked eye would see as a darkened room.  It is interesting to note that from around the age of seven years old, we start to lose the ability to hear and see into these areas of the spectrums, becoming less sensitive as we get older.

Over the next year we will be committing a great deal of time in understanding this further, trying new experiments and building new equipment to aid us in this new area of research.

Darren Ansell.

 

Temperature (Hot & Cold Spots)

Some of the most classic symptoms of a reported haunting are hot & cold spots. These are small areas (usually a lot smaller than a room) that feel significantly colder than the surrounding area, and considered by some to be a sign of a spirit presence. When a thermometer is placed in in a location where cold spots are reported they generally fail to register any drop in temperature. Furthermore, only certain people seem to feel these cold spots, whilst others can stand in the same place and feel nothing. Some people see this as a sign of a paranormal origin with some people more 'sensitive' than others. Others see it as a sign that cold spots are purely subjective. Some people suggest that the coldness of a cold spot indicates that heat has been abstracted for some paranormal process. However, there are natural phenomena that have a real physiological effect on someone without a change in the air temperature. Draughts are the obvious example but there are others...

Humidity

There is another way where you might feel cold without any measurable change in temperature. Curiously, you might feel cold and damp in warm air conditions with a low relative humidity. In this situation moisture evaporates from your skin making you feel cool and clammy.

Suggestion

Never underestimate the power of suggestion. Tell someone that they are standing in the 'cold spot' and they may start feeling it. It is best not to tell anyone where the cold spots are supposed to be and then see if anyone reports one.

Convection

Air is almost always on the move in a room, even with the door and windows closed. This is because the surfaces of some objects are at different temperatures to others. Heat will be exchanged between the objects in an attempt to equalise the temperature. This is done mainly through convection. This is an air flow whereby warm air (which is less dense) rises towards the ceiling, cools and drops back towards the floor.

There is obviously even more scope for draughts where the room connects to other areas eg. through an open door, window, hatch, fireplace or gaps in draught-proofing.

When moving air is in contact with human skin it will generally feel cool (windchill). This is because the moving air removes heat from the skin. It also cools by causing evaporation from the skin. This cooling will NOT show up as a temperature drop with a conventional thermometer.

Radiative heat loss

When you stand directly in front of an electric fire or radiator, you will feel heat. Ppeople can LOSE heat in the same way. If you stand directly in front of a cold object, such as an uncurtained window on a cold night, you will feel colder. Your body is radiating heat in all directions. However, it will radiate more, to maintain its temperature, in the direction of cold objects. This additional loss of heat will be felt as cooling. Generally, you need to be quite close to a cool object to get the radiative loss. Like a heater, if there is anything between you and cool object, you may not feel the effect. Like convection, a conventional thermometer will not register this apparent temperature drop.

Equipment Malfunction

Within NIPS , we have found equipment, although normally reliable and recently checked to give false readings during investigations. This can be due to interference, in particular from 2-way radios. This has been seen recently to show fluctuations of as much as 50°C.

Tony Armstrong.

 

Oujia Boards, Glasswork, Table-Tipping, Dowsing & Pendulums...

What do they all have in common? Well, in our experience it is the fact that with each, direct human contact with the implement is required in order for any results to be achieved.

Now, this does not mean that we are straight away dismissing claims that these phenomena can also be attributed to paranormal causes, however it does raise many questions as to why direct human contact is necessary. Afterall, the collective energy of a group of say sitters in a Ouija board session shouldn't need a solid medium, (excuse the pun) to travel through, should it? The energy is "all around us?" Why is it also that when some movement is achieved, and contact is broken, movement immediately stops?

These are the questions we are currently asking whilst experimenting with all the classic direct communication tools. Could it be that human contact is necessary simply because it is ourselves that are subconsciously providing the physical inertia required to cause movement? This is something known as the 'Ideomotor Effect'

The ideomotor effect refers to the influence of suggestion or expectaton on involuntary and unconscious motor behavior. The term "ideomotor action" was coined by William B. Carpenter in 1852 in his explanation for the movements of rods and pendulums by dowsers, and some table turning or lifting by spirit mediums (the ones that weren't accomplished by cheating). Carpenter argued that muscular movement can be initiated by the mind independently of volition or emotions. We may not be aware of it, but suggestions can be made to the mind by others or by observations. Those suggestions can influence the mind and affect motor behavior.

Scientific tests by American psychologist William James, French chemist Michel Chevreul, English scientist Michael Faraday (Zusne and Jones 1989), and American psychologist Ray Hyman have demonstrated that many phenomena attributed to spiritual or paranormal forces, or to mysterious "energies," are actually due to ideomotor action. Furthermore, these tests demonstrate that "honest, intelligent people can unconsciously engage in muscular activity that is consistent with their expectations" (Hyman 1999). They also show that suggestions that can guide behavior can be given by subtle clues (Hyman 1977).

Tony Armstrong.

Mediumship

Psychic predictions and phenomena can be traced back throughout history, but the first professional mediums date back to 1848. The Fox family of Hydesville, New York, were visited by friendly spirits eager to prove life continued even after death. The daughters realising a talent for this communication, travelled to further demonstrate their unique talents and before long similar groups sprang up across the country. This was probably the beginning of the Spiritualist movement which has become so popular today.

As a professional investigative group we employ the use of scientific equipment and methods of investigation. However, it is the nature of the field we work in that we will come across those who profess to hold the gift of psychic mediumship and can communicate directly with Spirit. In our experience there have been only a very few who have been able to demonstrate some level of ability. We have found that very often it is the lucrative enticement of financial reward and greed which draws otherwise 'ungifted' people into the business of spiritualism.

It is therefore the unfortunate truth that with the excepted few, this area of the paranormal is riddled with cases of deliberate fraud. The most common method used by charlatans is Cold Reading, a technique which entails observing the subject's body language and vocal intonation when presented with a suggestion/question, asking vague questions and then making even more vague pronouncements. The person having the reading can often remember the 'hits' or occasions when the medium provides information which seems, all be it vaguely to be true, but overlook the comments which mean nothing to them. This in itself makes the reading more believable in that person's mind.

Frauds will also often research the subjects/locations they intend to carry out readings for, and drop pieces of information into the conversation to make it seem more compelling. This is known as Warm Reading, of which there have been a number of well documented cases. These so called mediums have even been fed deliberately false information by investigators in a bid to expose their devious ways, and as expected, recite or even channel the given names etc. as though it were coming from the spirit world.

All this inevitably places a question mark over this and other areas of the paranormal and frustrates the cause of those groups, such as NIPS genuinely aiming to uncover the truth behind the claims. The group's stance on the subject is not to rely on pre-conceived notions but to treat it as we would any other paranormal phenomenon, looking for evidence such as verifiable names, dates etc. We would also encourage anyone who believes they have a genuine ability, and would like to demonstrate this to NIPS, to contact the group as we are always eager to investigate all claims and would be keen to monitor these individuals for the purpose of our own research.

Any such testing/research would of course be carried out with discretion and the wishes of the individual respected with regard to the publishing of any findings.

Tony Armstrong.

Light Anomalies (Orbs)

Orb is a term coined only in recent years by the paranormal community to describe the spheres of light often caught on camera, predominantly with digital cameras with the advent of CCD and CMOS lenses and the instantaneous capture method of the photosensitive diodes used, lending further weight to the argument that they are merely a product of the lens itself.
Orbs are captured often during a paranormal investigation or where there would be perceived to be paranormal activity and some believe them to be the early manifestation of spirit.  In most cases however, they can be quickly identified as having a natural cause and can be categorised as:

• Solid orbs - Dry particulate matter such as dust, pollen, insects, etc.
• Liquid orbs - Droplets of liquid, usually water, e.g. rain.
• Foreign material on or inside the camera lens.

Combined with the above, the proximity of the camera to the object (behind the camera’s point of nearest focus, yet in front of the camera’s point of visibility), camera resolution, and light intensity from camera flash or the sun illuminating the object are all factors which play a part in determining how the orb image will appear.

The team at NIPS have seen many variations on the above, both from images taken on our own investigations and of those submitted by other groups and members of the public for analysis.  However, there have been a small number which have necessitated a closer look, particularly where there is corroborating evidence such as a significant drop in temperature, fluctuation in other equipment readings or a spiritual presence detected in the same area by a psychic medium when the photograph was taken.  Other things the group find intriguing is the size and shape of some of the orbs caught and also sometimes patterns, colours and circles within the orb itself.

Less frequently, anomalous lights are caught on video, an example of which can be viewed here. This footage was taken at a private house investigation, again where a presence was detected in precisely the same area at the same time.  Always wanting to take a balanced view based on evidence, NIPS is currently carrying out its own scientific study into Orb activity with the aim of drawing closer to a conclusion on their origin.  Further details of such to be posted in due course...

Tony Armstrong.

Infrasound

NIPS are currently carrying out research and experimentation into the phenomena that is Infrasound. Infrasound is defined as a vibration which occurs at below 20Hz, although that of up to 80Hz can be classed as Infrasound. We find those readings of between 0 - 20Hz at the lower end of the scale, outside the human hearing capability most interesting.

We are currently in the process of designing & building some new equipment, which will be capable of recording infrasound and transmitting to an audible frequency.

We will also be experimenting into the effects of infrasound and that of all frequencies on the human body & mind, to see if this on occasion could well be the reason behind seemingly paranormal experiences...

As the team discover more on Infrasound and its effects in paranormal experiences, we will publish our findings.

Tony Armstrong.

Instrumental transcommunication (ITC)

ITC is a term used to describe communication with spirit through any sort of electronic device such as tape recorders, television sets or computers etc.

The term was coined by physicist Professor Ernst Senkowski, of the Faculty of Engineering in University of Mainz, Germany.  EVP in itself is a form of ITC, though more commonly ITC is understood to define the use of the Klaus Schreiber method or Droste effect in an attempt to record spirit images.  This involves aiming a video camera at a television and feeding the output of the camera back into the TV, in order to achieve an eternal feedback loop.  The result you end up with can be described as a "picture-in-picture" effect, which continues on infinitely, similar to the effect achieved by facing two mirrors together.

It is believed by some that the same results can be achieved simply by tuning a television set out to display static/white noise and filming the images on screen, then viewing frame by frame.

As research to date has been inconclusive and many of the images are fairly ambiguous it is argued by many that the alleged images are simply a result of the human mind perceiving an otherwise meaningless, random image as a face, particularly the human face. A psychological phenomenon known as Pareidolia.  Common examples of pareidolia include seeing images of animals or faces in clouds, and the ‘man on the moon.’

NIPS will aim to put these and other theories to the test through experimentation and research, publishing our findings here as we progress. The problem with using a standard television for this testing however is that as it contains a tuner, the influence of which cannot be ruled out. It is therefor our intention to test various pieces of equipment including monitors and by isolating the TV in a lead box.

Tony Armstrong.