Shane Thornton NorCal Paranormal Investigators, Inc.

1. Where do you see ghost hunting and Paranormal groups like your own in 10 years?

In the next ten years I see alot more awareness and interest in the paranormal. In recent years we have already seen a large new found interest in the field due to the entertainment industry. With all the movies and TV shows out there right now, it is making alot of people open up their minds and to feel much more comfortable with the subject.

2. What would you personally consider to be the definitive proof that ghosts are real?

I personally believe that ghost and spirits do exists as we at NPI deal with them everyday. It’s funny that the surveys say 80% of the people in the world believe that ghost exists, but proof is what everyone wants and needs. I would say a full body apparition catch on film with backed up evidence would be considered the holy grail to show the world.

3. What is the most real evidence you personally have uncovered so far?

Fortunately, I have been real lucky in the evidence I have found. Even when ghost hunting by myself and now with my group NPI there has been a lot of good documentation. From great chilling EVP’s to video evidence that just can’t be explained away. One of my favorite pieces of evidence is when my partner and NPI’s cofounder Douglas M. Carnahan and I went to the Brookdale Lodge in the Northern California’s Santa Cruz Mountains for a paranormal convention. We set up a HI8 inferred camera in our room as we went out for dinner. With lights out and no one in the room we let the camera roll for a couple of hours. Days later when we went through the tape we found something very amazing and unexpected. There were 2-3 energy orbs following each other like they were playing tag or hide and seek. You can check out the video for yourself if you like by going to our web-site at www.norcalghosthunters.com

4. Are you skeptical of the claims other make of their findings?

I think any true paranormal investigator has to be somewhat skeptical to a degree. It’s in our nature to question and seek the answers to those questions. I have a passion to unearth the unknown. So yes, when people make claims of findings and have nothing to back up their claims I have no choice but to question them.

5. If you could investigate your "Dream Haunted Hot Spot" where would it be?

Wonderful question, I have been thinking about that for some time because there are so many amazing places. Probably the most fun place for me would be the battle fields of Gettysburg. I love the history of the Civil War and heard so many eerie stories of that place, it would be a great experience.

6. What was your first Paranormal encounter?

When I was 8 or 9 years old I was woken up from a dead sleep around 3am to the sound of music and then it was gone. I looked through my open bedroom door to my parents bedroom. I saw a large black figure coming through their door. I kept watching to see if it was my parents but it just disappeared and I did not see it after that. In the morning I asked my parents if they were up that late last night and they said no. A couple days later my father experienced the same big black figure in the house. That is my first paranormal experience I could recall.

7. What scares you about Ghost Hunting or Paranormal Investigations?

What scare me is the possability of bringing home a hitch hiker spirit from one of the investigations we conduct at NorCal Paranormal Investigations, Inc. It’s not so much the hitch hiker itself, but the fact my girlfriend would kill me if I brought home any uninvited guest. So when leaving an investigation it’s really important to say a couple cleansing prayers.

8. If you could work side by side with one of the Paranormal Investigator greats, who would it be?

It would have to be Dr. Barry Taft. I first saw him in a Haunted Hollywood TV special when I was young. I later found out he was one of the original investigators of the now famous “Entity” investigation in Southern California where a woman was repeatedly attacked for years by an unknown entity. From that point on I was totally intrigued by Paranormal Investigators, so I would have to credit Dr. Taft and thank him for getting me into this line of work. So joining him on an investigation would be something to remember.

9. Read any good Paranormal Books lately?

Right now I have not had the time to really sit down and enjoy a good book, but the two I’m constantly skimming through and use as a reference is “True Tales of Ghostly Encounters” by Andrew Honigman and “How to be a Ghost Hunter” by Richard Southall.

10. What Question do people ask you most when you tell them your a paranormal investigator?

So you’re a Ghost Buster? And I reply Yes, we came, we saw, we kicked it’s … well you know the rest. But all joking aside, people are interested in knowing about what we have found in our investigations. I often direct them to our web-site www.norcalghosthunters.com and also invite them to join us on our radio show, “NorCal Ghost Talk” every Sunday evening 6pm Pacific time and 9pm Eastern time on www.blogtalkradio.com.

11. In your opinion, Where is the most Haunted city in America?

Wow, another good question, with so many to choose from. But through alot of stories and accounts I have heard probably.. Atlanta, Georgia. There is so much history that was make there.

12. Do you feel more people should get involved with Ghost hunting or Paranormal Investigation?

Yes, but those are two different animals right there. Ghost hunting is like doing a ghost tour in a town or city. Which is really alot of fun with very little effort and minimal cost, Support your local Ghost/Haunted Tours, it’s also good for the local economy. Now, Paranormal Investigation is a big step up and only for those who have a passion and dedication to invest the time and energy that is demanded when conducting a full scale investigation. If people cannot conduct their investigations in an honest, creditable and professional manner they are only bringing discredit to themselves and others in the field and should stick with the guided tours. Besides do the ‘want to be’ investigators really think they are fooling others in the Paranormal field? If they are it’s not for long.

13. What does the future hold for you?

I wish I had the answer to that question, but with the help of my partner and NorCal Paranormal Investigators, Inc. co-founder Douglas M. Carnahan and our wonderful hand picked NPI Team the sky is the limit for us. We have numerous investigations in the works and always open to more of them. We have our BlogTalkRadio show every Sunday evening “NorCal Ghost Talk” at 6pm Pacific time and 9pm Eastern time. We encourage people to check it out and call into the show with questions and comments. What’s really cool is on BlogTalkRadio we are not limited to just the local area, but because it is broadcasted via the internet we are heard World Wide. We film and document our larger investigations and are working on editing them for DVD’s for others to experience. There is some interest on having the NPI Team doing something on TV and others have shown alot of interest having myself and co-founder Doug doing so lectures in the very near future. Sounds like a great time and very exciting.

14. Paranormal Conventions do you see them growing? And which ones are the Must go to ones?

Of course, with so much interest in the industry right now you are going to see alot of growth in this arena. I think Las Vegas is the one you can’t miss if you are truly interested in learning and meeting others within the field. But if you can’t make that one, check around for what’s going on in your local area. You don’t have to travel 1000 miles to meet some wonderful people who share the same passion for the Paranormal as you do.

15. What is your most favored tool of the trade?

I would have to say Electronic Voice Phenomena or “EVPs” would have to be my favorite paranormal phenomena. There is something exciting about sitting in a room all alone asking questions and later when checking the recorder for evidence you come across a voice answering you back. Puts a chill up my spine everytime I capture one.

16. Tell us about your best moment in investigating ghost for you?

Well there are so many memberful moments investigating that it’s really hard to pinpoint just one. I would have to say one that comes to mind right now would be when Doug ( NPI President ) and I were on the great ship the USS Hornet docked in Alameda, California. We were deep in the bowels of the ship filming and doing some EVP work. After we were done with the investigation and checking for evidence we checked the recorder out. Out of nowhere came a voice telling us to “Get The F… Out” We both looked at each other and just said “Wow“!! That is one I will never forget. If anyone would like to check it out for themselves they can go to our web-site at www.norcalghosthunters.com Click onto the EVP link and look for the USS Hornet. There are other interesting EVPs from that investigation you can listen to.

17. What is the hardest part about being a paranormal Radio talk show host?

Well, I don’t really see myself as a personality right now. I mean Shane Thornton isn’t a household name just yet. But you never know… maybe one day it will be. NorCal Paranormal Investigators, Inc is fast becoming very well-known as a very trusted and creditable and professional group. Our clients quickly learn “we are here to help,” protect and serve. People are also recognizing me for our BlogTalkRadio show “NorCal Ghost Talk” Sunday evenings at 6pm pacific time. We have alot of fun with the show and have some wonderful guests join us at times.

18. How do you prepare for a haunted or paranormal investigation?

What I do to prepare for an investigation is review accounts of activity the client has supplied us along with their concerns. I like to also research the history or the area and the location of the possible haunting. I like to make sure all the equipment needed for the investigation is packed and ready which includes extra batteries and etc. Then I want to make sure that before the investigation I get a lot of good rest and sleep so that I can be up and ready. Investigations can take a lot of energy out of you so rest is key to being able to be awake and fresh at 3am when a lot of things are known to have happen.

19. Have you ever taken a ghost Tour?

Yes, I went on a ghost tour in the little Northern California town of Clayton on Halloween one year. It was fun and entertaining but there were alot of people talking over the tour guide and the taking photos with alot of camera flashes that kind of killed the mood for me.

20. What in the field of ghost hunting and Paranormal Investigating needs the most attention?

The truth behind the evidence needs great attention. There are far too many people and so-called paranormal groups who are trying to catch a ride on the glory train to fame. They are conjuring up falsified evidence or writing numerous ghost stories about people, places and things that don’t even exists other than in their mind, then trying to come across as fact. These fakes and phonies are the main reason why the honesty and creditable of the field is so in question and looked down upon. These people are really making it difficult for the legitimate professional paranormal investigators to help people who really need our help. They are becoming a danger to the field of paranormal investigation, themselves and people seeking true help with a haunting or troubled spirit.