The Haunted Handbook

Bringing Professionalism to Paranormal Investigations

When I began researching Candle Face, I turned to the paranormal community for help. I asked investigators how they documented their cases, how they communicated with clients, and how they ensured that their work led to real answers. What I found was that many teams lacked formal record-keeping methods, often relying on scattered notes, video recordings, or social media posts.

As a professional investigator, I know that documentation is everything. Without structure, crucial details are lost, cases remain unresolved, and clients are left with more questions than answers. The Haunted Handbook was created to bridge that gap, offering strategies and forms to help paranormal investigators approach their work with the same level of professionalism as any other investigative field.

Practical Tools for Serious Investigators

Welcome to The Haunted Handbook: Forms and Strategies for Paranormal Investigations. This handbook is designed to serve as a comprehensive guide for paranormal investigation teams intending to elevate their professionalism in the field. Whether you're leading an experienced team or just starting out, these forms and strategies will help streamline your work, enhance data collection, and ensure accuracy in analyzing evidence. No matter how small or large, every investigation will benefit from a structured and methodical approach.

This handbook is built on over 30 years of experience in intelligence analysis, missing person investigations, and human trafficking investigations, which bring a level of rigor and professionalism to the unmatched paranormal field. Additionally, input from paranormal teams across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom helped shape this handbook, ensuring that the forms and strategies reflect real-world scenarios and challenges faced by investigators worldwide.

Back cover of The Haunted Handbook: Forms and Strategies for Paranormal Investigations. Describes the book’s purpose as a structured guide for professional paranormal investigators, providing forms and strategies to enhance credibility, efficiency, and reliability in investigations.

A rusted iron gate with the word 'CEMETERY' in bold, weathered lettering—an entryway to forgotten graves and lost stories waiting to be rediscovered with Branching Plot Books.

Stand-Alone Flexibility for Every Investigation

Each form in this handbook is a stand-alone tool, meaning it can be used independently or in conjunction with other forms. This gives paranormal teams the flexibility to choose the forms that best suit their particular investigation. For example, you may only need the client intake form for a preliminary investigation or decide to use the full suite of forms to conduct a thorough, multi-day investigation. The overlapping questions in certain forms ensure that the essential details are captured, regardless of how many or how few forms you use.

When used collectively, the forms provide a cohesive and organized system to guide your team through every investigation phase—from the initial client contact to the final evidence review. This approach enhances the speed and accuracy of evidence collection and interpretation, making your investigations more efficient and reliable.

List of Forms

Click on each one for details.

Client Consent

Provides a formal agreement between the investigation team and the client, outlining the scope of the investigation, potential risks, and the client’s permission for the team to conduct their work. It also includes a liability waiver, protecting both the client and the team legally.

Client Information

Captures detailed client information, ensuring clear communication and fostering trust throughout the investigative process. This form also helps the team understand client expectations and any concerns before the investigation begins.

Client Intake

Collects essential details about the client’s experiences, the location, and any phenomena they’ve encountered. This information helps tailor the investigative approach to address the specific needs and concerns of the client.

Investigation Site History

Provides a comprehensive record of the location’s background, including past events, ownership history, and reported paranormal activity. This form helps the team develop hypotheses and identify potential areas of interest or caution for the investigation.

Investigation Team Information

Records key information about the team members participating in the investigation, including their roles, contact details, and any specific skills they bring to the investigation. This form ensures a clear understanding of each team member’s responsibilities and aids in coordinating efforts during the investigation.

Emergency Contacts

Lists emergency contact details for all team members, ensuring that in the event of an accident or urgent situation, immediate assistance is accessible. It’s an essential safety measure for any investigation, particularly in remote or unfamiliar locations.

Safety Brief

A vital document that outlines safety protocols and site-specific risks, such as structural issues or hazardous materials. It ensures that all team members are aware of potential dangers and understand the procedures for maintaining safety during the investigation.

Inventory

Tracks all equipment used during investigations, from cameras and audio recorders to EMF detectors and safety gear. This form helps the team maintain accountability, ensure equipment is in good working order, and prevent loss or damage.

Investigation Report

Documents the conditions of the investigation, including environmental factors like weather, time, and temperature. It also includes sections for recording evidence gathered, observations, and any interactions. This serves as a key resource for analyzing findings and informing future investigations.

After Action Review (AAR)

Provides a structured format for reflecting on the investigation’s actions, decisions, and outcomes. It helps the team identify what went well, what could be improved, and lessons learned for future investigations, promoting continuous growth and refinement.

List of Strategies

In addition to the forms, I’ve included essential strategies to help your team navigate the complexities of paranormal investigations. These sections cover critical aspects of your work. These strategies are just as important as the forms themselves. They offer actionable advice to help you stay organized, calm, and effective during the most challenging investigations.

Managing Stress During Paranormal Investigations

A guide to handling the mental and emotional pressures often accompanying investigations in high-stress environments.

Documenting Evidence in High-Stress Environments

Tips on how to stay focused and ensure accurate evidence collection, even when the investigation becomes intense or unsettling.

Dealing with Fear and Paranormal Encounters

Techniques for managing fear and remaining professional when faced with unexplained phenomena.

Engaging with Clients

Strategies for building trust, managing client expectations, and maintaining a positive relationship throughout the investigation.

Time Management

Practical tips for keeping investigations on schedule and ensuring thoroughness without sacrificing efficiency.

For Professional Paranormal Investigators

This handbook is more than just a collection of forms—it’s a tool for those looking to establish themselves as professional paranormal investigators. In today's world, it’s easy to be labeled a paranormal enthusiast, someone more concerned with capturing videos for social media likes and making money from ads. While there's nothing wrong with enthusiasm, professionalism sets you apart.

Professional paranormal investigators help clients by thoroughly examining potential paranormal phenomena, working to solve cases, and providing answers to often disturbing experiences. Your goal isn't entertainment but resolution. Clients place their trust in your ability to guide them through potentially emotional or frightening situations with respect, professionalism, and expertise.

You separate yourself from casual enthusiasts by using these forms and adhering to the strategies outlined in this handbook. You become part of a select group of investigators dedicated to delivering high-quality, professional services to clients, driven by a commitment to accuracy, ethics, and client support. Whether the phenomena are real or have logical explanations, this handbook will help you manage investigations in a way that instills confidence in your clients and enhances the credibility of your work.

The Haunted Handbook helps paranormal investigators remain organized, professional, and methodical in their approach. It's designed to make your work easier, more reliable, and more efficient. Whether you're investigating haunted homes, historical landmarks, or other paranormal hotspots, these forms and strategies will be invaluable in your toolkit. Remember, professionalism in this field helps you stand out and ensures that your clients receive the help and peace of mind they need.

We hope this handbook proves invaluable on your path to becoming a distinguished paranormal investigator. Stay focused, stay safe, and may your investigations bring resolution to your clients.

A ghostly figure draped in white stands alone in the darkness, her veil trailing to the ground—La Llorona, forever mourning the boys she lost.

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