EVP

[RidingWithTheAngels]

Sorry Jon - taken to an extreme in the name of humour - I shall desist

Seriously though we have been discussing how we can implement at least some of these suggestions at a reasonable cost. I'm off to B&Q

[Kim]

Dave, Jon would have to know you to understand that!....lol

[RidingWithTheAngels]

Unfortunately for him he don't!

[quackersgpi]

I don't think anyone could expect all teams to suddenly be able to find the cash to go out and impliment all of these ideas in one go. I guess what we have to do is try to move forward a bit at a time and cut down on the room for doubt as much as possible with the equiment we do have. However, if we do use digital cameras etc we also have to be ready for a certain amount of doubt being put on our evidence. If you get an expensive digital camera then at least some things may be ruled out..however, as Jon has said there is still the issue of the possibility of such photographs being tampered with, with no proof of the original. We are currently looking in to buying a good 35mm camera but in the meantime, although we do use digital cameras our use of them is becoming less and less as we are aware of their limitations..so we are concentrating on those things that will be more effective as evidence and working towards improving other areas of collecting evidence. Rather than continue to over-use equipment that isn't justifyable I feel it is better to concentrate efforts on those things that are.

I agree that it is difficult to prove things like the changing of tapes etc..difficult but not impossible. One option would be to ensure that tapes are changed in a staggered manner..therefore all tapes are filmed being put in at the start of the investigation and then are changed in turn with one camera filming one being changed and then another filming that being changed etc etc..the fact there is no break in the filming each time it is done will show that it is all above board. I know what I mean by that but if I have totally confused you all then I apologise and will try to explain it again a little better.

OK, the locking up of mobile phones is a difficult one..and we have to take them with us incase some team have a problem on the journey there or back. Also, some people with children, for example, may want to be able to check their mobile phones during the night incase there have been any problems at home..however, there is no reason why these phones cannot be collected in at the start and then given to people who require them during the breaks. If you wanted to go to extremes you could make the base room a locked off area..use it not only for keeping the equipment but put a camera in there to see if any activity is captured while you are on vigils..this will also rule out people going in there to get their mobiles or anything else..hell this camera could also be used to film people changing their tapes. There are the spycams you can buy that record straight on to VHS..the VHS tapes on long play can last 8 hrs..this would cover an investigation in most cases.

[RidingWithTheAngels]

I agree Quaker - we unfortunately are often at the venue for up to 12hrs and although as Paddy says this may be about 8hrs actual investigation between breaks and including the setting up and dismantling of equipment. Long play at 8hrs will not cover all of this non stop with one tape. Hmmmm Paddy any ideas on this one?

[quackersgpi]

Easy..change the VHS tape during a break anf film it on a camcorder while the VHS is being changed. As long as all the clocks on all the filming equipment are set exactly the same times can all be checked to show there is no actual time during the night where things are not being filmed.

[paddygc]

with some careful thought and planning, then filming of the whole night is not unachievable. I agree with the rational behind this, and I will start a topic on our on forum shortly to discuss how we wish to move forwards on this issue.

Jon> I think we will have to agree to disagree on the digital/film issue.

If someone is determined to fake something then they will manage it no matter what medium it is recorded on.

However here is a friendly challenge to anyone who wishes to take it up - take a picture using a digital camera (for this purpose i don't care what resolution) and put it on your pc.
Using editing software of your choise then alter but a single pixel of this photo.
Please then feel free to send me the two pictures (one original and one altered) and i will use my usual techniques to tell you which is the altered one!

P

[Kim]

Have you had any takers on this challenge Paddy?

[mamagpi]

will any pic do ? i will happily take a pic of one of our pets and send the original and one changed slightly

[paddygc]

yeah any pic is fine!

and no takers yet Kim - but sounds like mama's about to!

I will enjoy the challenge, but also I can use it as a case in point to demonstrate how best to find fake photos.

email: patrick(dot)noble(at)freeuk(dot)com
sorry just not too keen on letting one of these junkmail search thingmy's getting my address!

P

[mamagpi]

hi paddy, you should have just pm'd your addy....will sort a pic out for you and get it sent as soon as

[mamagpi]

piccies on their way

[paddygc]

Excellent, I will have a look at those as soon as i receive them!

P

[RidingWithTheAngels]

Interested in ya findings Paddy! Like always!

[mamagpi]

hi paddy hopefully you have received them, as hotmail is telling me there is a delivery dalay !!!! if not i will send them again, because I also am interested in your findings.

[Kim]

Can't wait for the results P

[imapotato]

I live in an old house (this is important) with an old furnance, old pipes, old wood...you get the idea

If I put out a digital recorder, I would get a ton of 'EVPs' because my house settles alot, my pipes gurgle and my attic creaks. Sometimes, my 8 year old thinks he hears footsteps, but it is me upstairs other side of the house...yet it echos throught the old floorboards so he thinks its the stairs, when its me putting away laundry

Plus, alot of cell phone, FM, AM frequency...just too much interference nowadays to even count EVP or EMFs as proof of ghosts.