Given its increased use in recent times, especially with the growing number of paranormal TV shows; you may believe that video capture during an investigation is something hugely valuable to providing proof of the weird activity that we investigate. However, in my experience, anything captured on video never really amounts to much and we could categorically state to be the Holy Grail of the paranormal. 

It’s probably best to provide my own experiences in field research using video to make my point here. When I first began as a ghost hunter I followed the approach of many ghost hunters, who likely borrowed some techniques from TV shows, such as Ghost Hunters, Back then we used a combination of hand held video cameras and also wired CCTV systems. Certainly we would set up CCTV cameras covering potential paranormal hotspots and sometimes hand held video cameras on tripods too, maximising the video surveillance of the location. In the early days we would often run investigations from before dusk to dawn, clocking up anywhere between eight and twelve hours at the location. Of course you would still need to allow around forty-five minutes to an hour for setup and brake down, but that would still provide hours of footage. Once the investigation was done the following week would be consumed with reviewing the captured video to see if anything strange could be found. Sometimes there were oddities, that I will admit, but never anything conclusive. 

As the years moved forward, our lives changed, became busier, our interest in reviewing all the video footage each time began to reduce. Sure, TV programmes would often highlight the odd strange video captured to keep us all a little interested, but still nothing concrete was found. 

For me personally I changed how I used CCTV and video cameras. I stopped using it to cover possible paranormal hotspots and stopped reviewing every second of footage from each camera. However, I did still recognise the value there was in having it during an investigation, as it helps to keep track of what actually happened and when. Whether we like it or not, our memory is fallible, and will often let us down. So, when we think something happened at a certain time, or a sequence of events occurred is a certain order, or someone was in a particular place; we can often be very wrong. CCTV and video coverage can help us to correctly document events and team movements around a location, pin-pointing who is where and when. This use of CCTV and video cameras has helped to explain many an oddity during an investigation. Plus I only need to review the footage around a certain time to gain an understanding. Oddly using the equipment for exactly what it was designed for, surveilance.  

As with much during a paranormal investigation, taking a singular event or experience alone, can be massively inconclusive and misleading. So, when singular oddities are found on footage, there is often little else going on to help validate a theory provided by the Ghost Hunter. I recall watching a video on YouTube once, captured by someone investigating a ship. In which, the video shows something pass from one side of the shot to the other. On this occasion the individual did not only claim this to be a ghost, but they claimed it to be intelligent and even associated it to a character linked to the ship. Granted all of this may have been to ensure the video gained more views, but still given the content of the video, this would be a huge jump. Especially as the real reason that something appeared to cross the shot, was more likely to be a simple light source change. As the light moves across the field of view, the camera in low light, struggles to adjust making it seem as if something is moving. In this particular case there was no form to what moved, it was just a light change. This is often where belief for many over-rides the facts. Rather than simply saying what they see, the Ghost Hunters make a leap to associating a change to being a ghost. An approach which is great for the ghost story narrative, but poor for the actual facts. This of course blurs the true picture of events. However, the video footage in reality does not lie or present things incorrectly, it is our interpretation of the footage which can often be incorrect. In real world science we should not be making any assumptions and as such when we think there is an anomaly, we should be describing what we see and nothing more. As often a simple description without someone’s belief creeping into the mix can reveal a more realistic and normal explanation. 

A few years back something of this nature came to light on social media, which had many claiming that they had captured video of an odd blue-green orb. This was given many names in the course of its social media explosion; including Willow the Wisp’s, Fairies, Sprites and more. Many truly believed that they had actually caught a supernatural entity on camera. In fact, some were adamant it was supernatural and would not accept any other explanation provided. 

The few people that I spoke to about this oddity indicated an interesting fact early on; that they were all using an Apple iPhone, one similar to my own at the time. They each also indicated that it only occurred whilst they used video mode at times when the light was not brilliant. It became clear that I could easily recreate the scenario to see what would happen. Sure enough when I did, a small blue-green orb could be seen on the screen. In fact it was pretty regular, which meant there must be a normal explanation for it. Also, this only appeared on the iPhone’s screen there was nothing visible in real life. So, the explanation was that there was a known fault with the device and not a paranormal creature captured on video. Even with this explanation out amongst social media, many still refused to believe it was anything, but something paranormal. Belief and desire to see something paranormal was preventing them from seeing the facts. This kind of thing, is in fact a more regular occurrence than you may think. 

These days cameras and technology has improved greatly. Rolling out surveillance at a location can be relatively simple. With wireless cameras, light weight cameras, phone cameras, and more making the whole thing really simple. In fact the technology can be setup to only capture if there is movement, but that can also mean a delay. One excellent advancement is the body camera; utilising this during an investigation can provide footage from each person investigating a location. Which means the cameras move with the team, rather than being static. This provides a great investigator view of the investigation, but also exactly where they may be at any given time. An excellent addition to any teams kit I am sure. 

I would probably argue that the role of CCTV and video cameras has changed; moving away from attempting to capture ghosts on camera to providing accurate video and audio evidence to support the investigators locality, which can simply be used to help rule them out if oddities are detected. They still have a use, but its changed to helping clarify the understanding of the situation, not focus on something that may never happen; and if it did, it would still be difficult for people to believe. 

We need to re-think how we use video capture. The idea of trying to capture a ghost on video is now dated and very much leans towards providing content for TV shows. Whilst these are always entertaining, they are not providing the field with advancements. I personally think that video is better suited for capturing what the investigator saw during an investigation, or perhaps does not see. Equally they are great for interviews, when trying to capture witness statements. The video to link with what the investigators see could also be connected to other attributes like their temperature, pulse, brain activity and more to understand if there is any correlating data to be captured from the investigators during their investigation. A little like a live feed of the investigators vital signs. This coupled with other environmental data could provide a much better, more detailed picture of what may actually be happening during these paranormal experiences. Roaming around purported haunted locations, just is not going to cut it anymore. We need more, to understand more, but unfortunately what we need is not really going to fit into an exciting TV show narrative. This is another area that needs a lot of work to push beyond just what the entertainment industry requires. 

Do you and/or your team use video capture during your investigations? If so, how are you using it currently? Do you use body cameras or similar to gain an investigator perspective? Perhaps you think video capture has had its day in the paranormal investigation and only belongs in TV series now? 

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