How to Pre-Screen for a Ghost Investigation

The following questionairre is taken from The Ghost Hunter's Guide (1986) by Peter Underwood, President of The Ghost Club. This will be helpful for preliminary research before conducting an official investigation.

Initially it is helpful to have in writing as much information as possible about a person who claims to have seen a ghost or has had a psychic experience. For this purpose, I have devised a Form on the following lines; it can be altered and adjusted to suit individual requirements but something like this is extremely helpful in assessng a person and a case, both before and after an investigation.

QUESTIONAIRRE U1
Confidential

Name: (capital letters please)
Age:
Address:
Telephone number:
Occupation:

Please use a separate sheet of paper if there is insufficient room for any reply.

• Describe what you saw and/or felt:
• When did you (last) see the ghost? (Date and Time)
• Were you alone at the time? (Give names and addresses of anyone else present)
• Where exactly did you see the ghost? (As exact as possible, please; e.g. 'in the front bedroom, on the left-hand side of the window, at 111 Rose Lane, Hatfield, Herts')
• How far away from you was the figure?
• Had you heard of a ghost being seen there before your experience? (If so, give names and addresses of anyone who told you about the ghost)
• Do you know anyone who claims to have seen the ghost on a different occasion? (If so, give names and addresses and other details)
• Did you feel anything or have a sensation of being touched? If 'yes', describe as fully as you can:
• Were you asleep or nearly asleep just before the experience? If so, what woke you up?
• How long did the ghost remain?
• What was the lighting at the time?
• Was there a mirror anywhere near and where was the nearest window?
• Did the form you saw seem to be aware of your presence?
• Did you have an animal with you at the time? If so, did it show any reaction?
• Did you recognize the ghost? If so, was that person much in your thoughts lately?
• Did the form appear gradually or suddenly?
• Do you have good eyesight?
• Had you been drinking?
• Did you have a headache or were you feeling unwell?
• Did any sound accompany the sighting?
• Did the figure appear to be solid or transparent?
• Was the appearance in colour or black-and-white?
• Did the figure appear and act naturally? (e.g. through an open door) Or did it appear suddenly and inexplicably?
• Can you describe the figure? (e.g. a tall man wearing a cape)
• For how long did you see the figure?
• How did it disappear?
• Did you attempt to speak to the figure?
• Did the figure speak to you or appear to try to do so?
• If it did speak, what did it say?
• What clothing was the figure wearing?
• What was your immediate reaction when you saw the figure? (e.g. frightented, sad, unmoved, etc)

Did you notice any variation in the temperature:

a) before you saw the figure?

b) when the figure was present?
c) after the figure had disappeared?

• Had you had a long journey or were you very fatigued just before the experience?
• Did you notice anything unusual at the time? (e.g. any sound, a breeze, unusual quite, etc)
• Is the buiding or place where this happened reputed to be haunted?
• To whom did you first report your experience?
• How soon after the event?
• What was his or her reaction?
• Have you had any previous experiences of this kind? If so, when and where?
• Do you know anyone who has had a similar experience anywhere?
• Have you had any kind of psychic experience before?
• If you were awake when you first saw the figure can you describe your state of mind immediately before the experience? (e.g. relaxed, apprehensive, happy, frightened, tense, sad, etc)
• How did you feel immediately after the experience?
• Did you feel a difference in the atmosphere afterwards? (e.g. warmer, lighter, darker, colder, etc)
• Would you like to have the same experience again?

Please add any other information that you think may be relevant:

Date:
Signature:
Witness:
(name) (address)