Client Interview Process
Throughout your Ghost Hunting Research and
studies, you will learn many different theories
and approaches as well as equipment use for
conducting an investigation. What I would
first like to get into is the aspect of screening
your clients prior to an investigation.
Unfortunately, in our line of work (paranormal
investigators), there are quite a few people
out there just want to give us a call to waste
our time for “Friday night kicks”
so to speak. Some individuals that call you
will sound very sincere in their intentions
but truly have a different purpose for us.
The problem is that we, as investigators,
have to take any notification that we receive
very seriously no matter how crazy the situation
may sound.
As an investigator,
all the calls must be treated with respect
and interest to the client. Have them tell
you what they are experiencing in their residence,
listen and take notes on all of this. What
you learn in the beginning will play a major
role in their story when it comes to the interview
process later. Like I have said before, you
will have some that just want you there for
entertainment. Most of us provide a free service
so this is cheap entertainment for quite a
few people while some are just curious. After
you have finished listening to their situation,
you need to set up an interview or “preliminary
investigation”, to go into further detail
about their situation. This is also a great
way to see if their stories match up to what
you already recorded. I know this may sound
harsh but I assure you that there are some
out there that will use you. We all work to
hard with our research for us to be used in
this way.
Before the interview process, you will need
to take a few things with you. You will need
a recorder or notebook of some kind, a liability
document for them to sign, paperwork to give
them that has a detailed description as to
what your intentions are and what you will
be using as far as equipment in their residence.
I would advise bringing someone else to recorder
data and take notes of the area while the
interview is in progress. Have them note the
client’s moments and facial expressions
to your questions, as these will be key as
to their credibility. Here are a few questions
that you can ask the client during the interview.
Always ask their permission to be recorded
on tape or film prior to the interview. Answers
to these questions can help you decide what
are real, possible hallucinations or flat
out lies.
After the interview process is complete, you
and your group need to have the client take
you around the residence and show you where
they have experienced the most activity.
Note Everything
unusual in the area as well as where objects
are placed and how the house is maintained.
Are the clients clean and organized? If they
are having objects disappear, and they appear
to be organized, then this adds further possibilities
to their credibility.
When the preliminary investigation is complete
and you have all of your data you will need
to regroup with your team and discuss your
true feelings of the client and what your
approach is going to be. This should never
be discussed in the presence of the client.
You may need to do some background research
of the area and do not be shy about asking
the homeowner if they have an abstract of
the residence. This will help you tremendously
in research and will give you a few names
and backgrounds as well. You want to research
the land that the residence or building stands
on. Just because the house may be haunted
does not necessarily mean the haunting is
tied to the house itself. The haunting may
be tied to the land and the homeowner may
not be aware of this. If after this process
is complete and your group as a whole feels
that this may be a hoax, then you need to
pull out of the situation as gracefully as
possible. This may be a very hard decision
but you will know after the interview process
and data collected if it is a possible hoax.
It would be your call as to whether a full
investigation is needed or not.
Try and keep
in mind that this is your time and that your
time is valuable.
If any of you would like more information
or have questions please feel free to contact
me via email.
HERE To Email Todd Bates
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