EVP’s and Thoughts on the Technique of Provoking.

EVP or Electronic Voice Phenomena is an easy way to start obtaining evidence of paranormal activity during an investigation. EVP’s are believed to be a sound that cannot be heard by the human ear. It is only recorded or heard through a device that operates on a different frequency than sound is heard by the human ear. The same concept of a dog whistle. EVP’s can be imprinted on an electronic recording device, and on a device that records on a type of cassette. If the sound is heard by a person, it is no longer an EVP, but a disembodied sound/voice. An EVP can be heard when played back on almost any type of audio recording, or playing device. EVP’s have been known to show up on hand held mini cassette recorders, digital voice recorders, video cameras, television sets (white noise), cell phone messages, answering machines, and even am/fm radios.

In the field of paranormal investigation, there are different thoughts on how to get a response from a possible entity during an EVP session. This is where an investigator can cause problems for a client. Most investigators ask harmless questions, such as, “What is your name?” “Are you alone?”, “Why are you here?”, the list of these types of questions is endless. There are some investigators that use the technique of provoking a spirit or entity to entice a stronger response. Provoking, is the use of statements or questions that are demanding, threatening, or derogatory in nature.

The problems arise when an investigator uses this technique during an investigation of a client’s home, when there may be a non-hostile presence. I am not saying I have never used this technique in a client’s home, but it should only be used in certain cases. The cases I believe this technique should be used are, when a family is dealing with a hostile entity or presence, the client feels unsafe or threatened, or the presence is harming a client. This technique should not be used when there is a presence in a home or business that is non- threatening, or by a novice paranormal investigator. Not all haunting are negative in nature. Some are spirits of people just like you and me. They may have built the home you are investigating with their own hands; they may be attached to an item, or in some cases, just lost. There are too many reasons for haunting to try and list them here, but most are harmless.

When using the provoking technique, the goal is to get a strong, sometimes-violent response to what you are saying. What happens to the family after you have provoked this entity? The investigators go back to their lives, and the client is now possibly living with a presence that is now angry. Most likely the investigator caught some evidence, but at what price. Unless the investigative team can convince the entity to leave, or another solution is used to end the haunting, the client is now faced with an angry presence in their home. Paranormal activity may increase in frequency, and hostility. The client is now worse off than when the investigative team came to “help”.

Demonic entities, or evil spirits may need to be provoked to get a response, but this should only be attempted when all else fails, and by the most seasoned of investigators. The response an investigator gets, may not be the most pleasant experience for anyone. I do not have any remorse for provoking a presence that is harming or threatening a client. Using this technique in a non-hostile situation, or just to get evidence is not a responsible practice for any type of investigation. Think about it, you may be provoking someone’s deceased family member. I wouldn’t want anyone trying to provoke any of my relatives who have past, would you?

Please take into consideration, what price will you pay, or make the client pay to capture evidence.

It is not the normal practice of The East Coast Angels Paranormal Investigations Team (East Coast Angels) to use the technique of provoking.

Written by,

Michael "SAL" Salerno
2009