Buzz
Everyone loves a gripping paranormal story. Yet, the most fascinating tales often focus not on ghosts or UFOs but on the individuals who chase these mysteries, armed with curiosity and a notebook.
The world is teeming with dedicated paranormal investigators who devote endless hours in their quest to unravel the unknown and uncover the truths hidden within legendary tales. These are their extraordinary accounts.
10. William Hope and the Era of Spirit Photography
William Hope (1866-1936), a renowned British medium and paranormal researcher, became famous for his extraordinary “spirit photography,” an ability to seemingly capture ghostly and spiritual images on camera. While such techniques are now common (often referred to as “photoshopping”), Hope was the pioneer of this art form, which skyrocketed his fame as a medium.
Hope implemented numerous precautions with his plate cameras to eliminate suspicions of fraud. Ironically, these measures were part of an elaborate deception. His so-called strict protocols were merely a facade, as his images were the result of expert photo manipulation and advanced superimposing methods. While he cannot be revered as a true ambassador of the supernatural, he deserves recognition as an innovative figure in the history of photography.
9. Independent Investigations Group
The Independent Investigations Group (IIG), established in Hollywood, California in 2000, is a prominent paranormal research organization now operating nationwide. As the largest and most recognized group of its kind in the US, its founder, Jim Underdown, is frequently seen at panels and discussions across the country.
The IIG adopts a skeptical approach in its investigations but ensures fairness by giving subjects an opportunity to prove their paranormal abilities. They offer a substantial cash prize to anyone who can demonstrate scientifically verifiable supernatural powers. Initially set at $50,000, the reward has recently increased to $100,000, likely due to their partnership with the James Randi Foundation, another well-known skeptic organization.
Be warned, however: Earning this prize is no simple task. The video above depicts the IIC examining Anita Ikonen, who asserted she possessed the ability of “medical dowsing” (specifically, determining whether someone is missing an internal organ).
Her attempt did not end successfully.
8. EMF Meters
EMF (electromagnetic field) meters are a staple in any ghost hunter’s toolkit. There’s some debate about their significance—some believe ghosts emit electromagnetic radiation, while others argue they disrupt existing electromagnetic fields. Regardless of the theory, the ghost-hunting community widely accepts that EMF meters can detect spirits and other paranormal entities.
However, using these devices comes with challenges. Interpreting the readings is unclear—no one can definitively confirm if ghosts are nearby. Some researchers even suggest that EMF anomalies might trigger hauntings rather than result from them.
Dedicated paranormal investigators often address this issue by developing intricate calibration guidelines for their EMF meters. That said, many simply rely on the device’s needle movements as a signal to start recording, hoping to capture something extraordinary.
7. Viktor Grebennikov
Viktor Grebennikov, a Soviet scientist and naturalist, harbored a peculiar fascination with supernatural—or perhaps ultra-natural—modes of transportation. While his primary work was in entomology (the study of insects), he also delved into paranormal research. Before his passing in 2001, he accumulated extensive studies on levitation and even asserted that he had constructed a platform capable of lifting a full-grown adult.
Grebennikov’s purported levitation methods relied on a unique, mysterious geometric structure he claimed to have crafted from insect components. This insect-based device was allegedly capable of elevating him over 305 meters (1,000 ft) and achieving speeds exceeding 25 kilometers (15.5 mi) per minute. He was shielded from these rapid velocities by an energy field surrounding him.
At least, that’s his account. Upon examining the footage he left behind, it appears that the few insect parts he could move without physical contact only did so because he was generating static electricity by rubbing the surface beneath them.
6. Ovilus
The Ovilus, a so-called “ghost box,” has become a popular tool among paranormal researchers in recent years. Functioning like a text-to-speech device for ghost hunters, it identifies subtle environmental changes caused by spirits, demons, or other ethereal beings and translates these signals into audible words. Combining the features of a dowsing rod, EMF meter, and recording device, the Ovilus III, the latest version, boasts a 2,000-word vocabulary, a thermal flashlight, various operating modes, recording capabilities, and additional advanced features.
While the Ovilus sounds impressive, at least one reviewer is convinced it is a complete hoax. Despite its array of sensors and functions, there’s no evidence it can detect or communicate with ghosts. Instead, it simply analyzes your surroundings and, under specific conditions, produces pre-programmed verbal responses from its memory.
5. Fairy Investigation Society
Before World War II, fairies occupied the cultural spotlight now held by UFOs and ghosts. Fueled by the enduring popularity of Peter Pan and the circulation of fabricated fairy photographs, public fascination with these tiny magical beings reached its peak. The Fairy Investigation Society, a British group of paranormal enthusiasts, focused on studying these enigmatic, winged creatures. Established in 1924, the society operated similarly to modern ghost and UFO researchers, gathering evidence, examining reports, and delving into fairy folklore.
Accurate details about the Fairy Investigation Society are scarce, likely due to the impact of WWII on public records and the post-war shift in paranormal interest toward aliens and ghosts. Nevertheless, the society appears to have persisted until the 1970s or 1990s, when it either dissolved or went underground, depending on the source.
In recent years, however, there has been a resurgence of interest in fairies. The latest revival of the Fairy Investigation Society was initiated (perhaps with a hint of humor) in 2013.
4. De Incendiis Corporis Humani Spontaneis
Dr. Jonas Dupont from the University of Leiden likely never aimed to explore the paranormal. Yet, his name remains cherished among researchers of the unexplained due to his 1673 book, “De Incendiis Corporis Humani Spontaneis”—the first scholarly work on the intriguing topic of spontaneous human combustion.
Dr. Dupont discovered this mysterious phenomenon while reviewing records of an unusual court case. The husband of Nicole Millet, a Parisian woman known for her excessive lifestyle, was accused of burning her to death. However, he was acquitted after doctors concluded that Mrs. Millet had spontaneously combusted. Her body was so severely burned that only her skull and a few finger bones remained, yet the straw mattress beneath her was barely singed.
Dupont’s book gained significant recognition, bringing the concept of spontaneous combustion into public awareness. Many of the patterns he identified—such as the victim often being an alcoholic, the absence of an external fire source, and the selective destruction of the person while sparing the surroundings—have become common traits in alleged cases of spontaneous combustion.
3. The Ghost Club
Its web page might appear outdated and its name could sound like it was coined by a child, but don’t let that deter you: The Ghost Club is the oldest active paranormal research organization in the world. Established in 1862 and based in London, the club followed in the footsteps of its precursor, The Ghost Society, a small, exclusive group founded in 1851 by the future Bishop of Durham.
Members of the Ghost Society (and later the Ghost Club) have included future Prime Ministers, Archbishops, and high-ranking military figures. Due to its elite origins, the club has always prioritized observation, meticulous research, and methodical investigation over sensational paranormal activities. While they conduct field investigations and publish newsletters like other paranormal groups, their approach is more akin to a formal society than a group of amateur ghost hunters. They maintain a structured schedule of meetings and events, along with strict guidelines for investigations. Thrill-seekers and pranksters are not welcome, and tools like Ouija boards are banned. The Club also emphasizes that it does not perform exorcisms or clearances of any kind.
2. Bryan & Baxter
Bryan Bonner and Matthew M. Baxter, known together as Bryan & Baxter, are the creators of the Rocky Mountain Paranormal Research Society. Despite their rockstar-like appearance with sunglasses and coordinated outfits, the duo are deeply committed to their work as radio hosts and paranormal investigators.
Unlike the dramatic antics often seen in ghost-hunting shows, Bryan and Baxter focus on uncovering frauds within the paranormal community. Describing themselves as “urban myth and legend busters” and “the antithesis of Ghostbusters,” they function as the Mythbusters of the supernatural world. Over the years, they have debunked countless hoaxes, tricks, and scams.
That said, their goal isn’t to strip the world of all mystery. Instead, they aim to uncover genuine enigmas hidden among the fakes. They openly admit that, occasionally, they encounter phenomena they can’t easily explain. Until they find a rational explanation, who’s to say it wasn’t a ghost that moved that chair?
1. Maurice Grosse
Maurice Grosse (1919-2006) stands as one of Britain’s most renowned paranormal investigators. A charismatic figure, he lived up to the boldness his impressive mustache suggested. An engineer by profession, he became a successful inventor after serving in WWII. His journey into the paranormal began in 1976, following the tragic death of his daughter in a motorcycle accident. Grosse began experiencing unexplained, seemingly supernatural events, which led him to join a paranormal research society.
Just a year after delving into paranormal investigations, Grosse found himself involved in one of the most peculiar poltergeist cases ever documented. Known as the Enfield Poltergeist Case, this complex haunting spanned several months. Grosse stood by the affected family throughout the ordeal, spending extended periods in their home and meticulously documenting every unexplained noise and movement with cameras and tape recorders.
The most unsettling feature of the case was a haunting “poltergeist voice” that sounded like an elderly man but emanated from the 11-year-old girl at the center of the events. Grosse was so captivated by this otherworldly voice that he personally offered a thousand pounds—a significant sum at the time—to anyone who could replicate it using tricks or ventriloquism. No one succeeded.
The Enfield Poltergeist case cemented Grosse’s reputation as a prominent figure in the paranormal world. He remained an active and respected investigator until his passing, continuing his research until the very end.
+The Fortean Society
Anyone who has casually explored paranormal tales has likely come across the name Fortean Times. This renowned magazine, which later expanded into a website, has been in circulation since 1991 and serves as a comprehensive collection of paranormal stories, akin to a Reader’s Digest for the unexplained. However, the Times is merely the surface of the broader Fortean phenomenon.
The original “Fortean” entity was the Fortean Society, an “international association of philosophers” established in 1931 by Theodore Dreiser and Tiffany Thayer. The society aimed to create a sanctuary for individuals whose ideas defied conventional norms. It welcomed anti-vaccination advocates, flat earth proponents, and political radicals alike. While their mission attracted notable writers, scientists, and spiritualists, Thayer’s primary focus appeared to be ridiculing established scientific principles by posing unanswerable questions and spreading gossip about scientists. After Thayer’s death, the society gradually dissolved and evolved into the International Fortean Organization (INFO), a more restrained group that prioritized exploring the unexplained over discrediting scientists.
The term “Fortean” originates from Charles Hoy Fort, a committed skeptic and avid investigator of mysterious phenomena. Fort frequently criticized and questioned mainstream scientists, and Dreiser and Thayer—his closest friend and ardent admirer—founded the Fortean Society in his honor. Ironically, Fort vehemently opposed the society’s creation. In fact, he likely wouldn’t have attended its founding dinner had his friends not deceived him into doing so.
