| Ghost Hunters is a popular TV series on the Syfy | | | | the data recorded and let property owners know |
| Channel. What began as a small two-man, one-van | | | | how they may deal with these particular spirits. |
| operation in 2004 quickly expanded after the first | | | | Those investigating paranormal occurrences may |
| season and The Atlantic Paranormal Society | | | | look for several different types of its phenomena. |
| founders Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson were | | | | Ghost lights called orbs may float throughout the |
| soon able to quit their day jobs at Roto-Rooter to | | | | atmosphere and apparitions or disembodied spirits |
| work full-time investigating paranormal | | | | may suddenly appear in a room or on film. |
| occurrences around the world. "This kind of show | | | | Haunted residences are one of the most common |
| is popular because almost everyone has had such | | | | occurrences, with ghosts showing up to do their |
| an experience or knows of someone who has," | | | | business, unaware that they're deceased. |
| says Grant Wilson. | | | | Ectoplasm may ooze from walls, which looks like |
| The Atlantic Paranormal Society founders Jason | | | | a green jelly-like substance. Demons -- the stuff |
| Hawes and Grant Wilson have been investigating | | | | of horror movies -- are usually summoned to do |
| and studying paranormal sightings since the | | | | human bidding and inadvertently try to harm |
| nineties. Their team uses various electronic pieces | | | | earthlings. Poltergeists are also common |
| of equipment, which they say is capable of | | | | paranormal spirits; though they are invisible, these |
| detecting its happenings. Once TAPS members | | | | pesky beings like to move objects, make noises |
| arrive at the scene, they survey the property | | | | and terrorize people. |
| with the owners, who detail what sort of | | | | Since they began investigating such experiences, |
| paranormal spirits they've encountered. | | | | TAPS says they have recorded and reviewed |
| Next, the team sets up electronic equipment at | | | | thousands of hours of footage. Most |
| the hotspots and spends hours taking | | | | investigations turn up very little, if any, paranormal |
| electromagnetic field and temperature readings. | | | | supernatural happenings, they say. However, |
| They record audio to look for electronic voice | | | | there have been several recordings of moving |
| phenomena, film the locations with a video | | | | objects, inexplicable white mist and orbs of light, |
| camera and take still photos. They often ask the | | | | knocking ghosts, recorded wails and shadowy |
| spirits questions to see if they will respond with | | | | figures. These experiences are generally saved |
| moans, howls, visual disturbances, or -- most | | | | for the end of the show, but there is certainly |
| commonly -- knocking. They will then review all | | | | sufficient drama throughout the episodes. |