Temperature

A key variable recognized by many in the paranormal field as an indicator of paranormal activity is temperature. Despite the lack of clinical research validating the relationship between temperature fluctuations and paranormal events, there is a significant amount of anecdotal evidence to suggest temperature changes correspond with the appearance of ghosts, apparitions, entities or similar phenomenon. Most investigators utilize infrared thermometers or ambient K-probe thermometers for validation of these types of events. Although these tools are useful, of the two the K-probe is really the more useful of the two. A common misperception with infrared thermometers is that they can measure the temperature through an area. In actuality, infrared thermometers only measure surface temperatures. Not being aware of this behavior, investigators can have a misguided assessment that a room with a spike in temperature is a paranormal event, when the event could have been caused by the infrared thermometers measurement of a window, door or similar object with substantial temperature retention property. This could show a significant temperature shift which would inaccurately indicate a paranormal presence. Recognizing the importance of surface measurements is key, but it is also necessary to take into account the listed ratio on IR thermometers to determine the required distance to measure temperature for the most accurate readings. For example (12:1) indicates that for every 12 inches from the front of the IR meter, a 1 inch diameter area is utilized in measuring temperature. So, with a (12:1) ratio, if the measured surface is 10 feet away, then the meter is measuring a 10-inch diameter, and averaging the results within that area to produce a given reading. If the average is an (8:1) ratio, taking a measurement from 10 feet away, the IR meter would utilize a 15 inch diameter to produce a result. The greater the diameter, the greater amount of averaging by the meter, and the greater potential for missing more subtle temperature shifts in the environment.

A better tool for evaluating paranormal temperature shifts is a K-probe thermometer. This tool measures the temperature that the probe is immediately in contact with. This can be air, water or any solid object. As a tool, the K-probe is useful for evaluating events as they happen during an investigation. Since you're measuring temperature for whatever is immediately in contact with the probe, you can verify any temperature shifts that you are perceiving. During the course of the evening of investigating, a best practice is to take measurements and notate them on a regular basis. Either track the information in a journal during the investigation, notating the time and temperature readings along with any noticeable events, or simply state them out loud if you have an audio recorder or camcorder in the location. By taking regular readings during an investigation you provide additional detail to match up with captured video, audio or photographs and thus provide a fuller data assessment for an investigation.

An improved method for measurement during investigations (and a method actively employed by the Omega Paranormal Society) which can provide much more data for validating events are temperature data loggers. These tools track temperature over an extended period of time and can provide detail during the moments when investigators are not in a room. This method can be set up to measure temperatures as frequently as once every second. The Omega Paranormal Society utilizes data loggers with either a 1 second or 5 second reading depending on the length of the investigation. There are a few varieties of data loggers on the market, but the one we favor is Onset Comp's HOBO data logger. The HOBO data loggers come in a few varieties with varying features including measuring temperature, humidity and luminosity. We utilize two specific models, the U10-001 and the U12-012. Both measure temperature but the U12-012 also measures humidity, luminosity, along with a second temperature measurement utilizing an external K-probe. Along with the data loggers, Onset Comp offers two versions of a software application for downloading the data for analysis: HOBOWare Lite and HOBOWare Pro. Utilizing either application provides the ability to analyze the data measured over time to evaluate spikes during an investigation which may help corroborate any events that may have occurred during an investigation in a specific location. Utilizing any temperature measurement devices during an investigation can provide useful information for a clearer picture of events.

Temperature can be a key variable in measuring events during a paranormal investigation. Any tool, including IR Thermometers, K-Probes and data loggers are only one facet of an investigation. It's important to remember to utilize any single tool in concert with other items in an investigation to support and validate events.