Analyzing Pictures in Paranormal Investigation

This is a summary of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR)'s guide to analyzing pictures in paranormal investigation.


Purpose

  • Extract reliable info from photos taken on-site or provided by witnesses.

  • Preserve evidence integrity and make your conclusions reproducible.

Golden Rule: Preserve the Original

  • Immediately make a working copy; archive the untouched original (external drive/cloud).

Forensic-Style Workflow

  • Create a folder per image.

  • Keep a change log (simple text file) in the same folder.

  • Edit one parameter at a time (exposure, contrast, etc.).

  • After each change, save as a new file with a clear name and log exactly what you did.

Third-Party Photos

  • Ask the sender: why was the photo taken, what they think it shows, where/when it was shot.

  • Check filename pattern (manufacturer-style vs. “ghostpic.jpg” → likely edited).

  • Compare claims with metadata (EXIF). If details don’t match, proceed cautiously and verify.

Metadata (EXIF) Basics

  • EXIF can reveal camera model, time/date, settings, and sometimes location.

  • Useful for checking flash use, shutter speed, and consistency with the account.

  • Caveat: EXIF can be edited or erased—treat as helpful, not infallible.

Viewing Tests (Blind)

  • Ask multiple independent people what they see—no leading prompts.

  • Avoid group sessions/social media (contagion of opinions).

  • Record “nothing seen” responses too; they matter.

Good Practice

  • Avoid random heavy edits; systematic, logged adjustments only.

  • Keep an open mind; consider normal causes first—genuinely anomalous images are rare.

  • If you think you have something significant, seek expert review (e.g., SPR) before publicity.

Quick Checklist

  • Original secured

  • Working copy + folder + change log

  • Stepwise edits saved with clear filenames

  • EXIF reviewed & compared to account

  • Blind viewing feedback recorded

  • Conclusions cautious, alternatives considered

For some tips to analyzing photos, read this informative article by the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena (ASSAP).


- C.E.

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