Ever ready for ghostly encounters - don't forget the batteries!

Paranormal investigations can be long-winded.

But if you have a dedicated desire for the paranormal you will inevitably not notice the long hours endured in dark, dank cellars surrounded by creepy crawlies or outside trekking across frozen fields in the midst of winter.

Forgetting your thermal underwear can be a hindrance but it's all part of being an investigator. The most exciting thing for me personally is expecting the unexpected.

But the key to any investigation is preparation and this alone can take time to organise.

It's always a good idea to carry an extra supply of batteries for equipment. We've experienced on many occasions loss of power in areas where phenomena are said to have taken place. A torch is an essential piece of equipment we always carry due to obvious safety issues.

We normally spend five to eight hours at the locations we visit, often finishing at five o'clock in the morning. We will have a quick discussion about the night's events and compare notes with each other before heading back home to analyse all data collected.

This is the start of a long process of scrutiny which can take months to complete. We don't want to miss anything.

The people who own the locations we visit get a comprehensive report of the investigation. Some locations we visit time and time again because they are so interesting and so much seems to be happening. I'll tell you about one of them next time!

We use several meters, including the EMF meter, which measures the electro-magnetic field. This meter is important to any serious paranormal investigator.

Some groups believe that when a 'ghost' tries to manifest, it leaves a detectable EMF. This claim has not been proven, at least not yet, so I feel it inappropriate to call this piece of kit a 'ghost detector', as wrongly advertised as such on some internet sites.

We use it for the detection of EMF emissions around environmental and electrical sources.

A person may experience a feeling of 'being watched', sensing a presence or being touched. Some people can suffer from headaches, nausea, dizziness, and even out of body sensations.

High levels of EMF can influence the brain's bioelectric activity and cause these feelings to occur. Prolonged exposure can be a health hazard, so the use of these gadgets can be very important.

A new EMF meter called the K2 first came to light on US TV programme Ghost Hunters. Psychic medium Chris Fleming, on an investigation with the T.A.P.S team said spirit energy can communicate through the device by affecting the lights on the meter.

We have since integrated the meter's use on investigations to test this claim.

My first impression was one of utter fascination. I was impressed by the way it appears to correspond when asked questions in supposed haunted locations. Could the claim be true?

Another favourite of ours is the thermometer, and we use two types - a non-contact or IR, and a probe. The first will measure surface temperature, whilst the latter will measure ambient air, or room temperature.

We compare the results taken throughout a vigil, and they are then logged and collated for future reference.

Night-vision camcorders are a must for capturing any visual or audio evidence. We only use cameras with 0 Lux, which will produce better recordings in total darkness. Using an infrared light will enhance the clarity of night vision filming and will illuminate darkened areas for a broader investigative purpose.

Analogue or digital sound recorders are very useful in capturing EVP (electronic voice phenomena) and can be used in conjunction with a small TV without the aerial, producing white noise to aid the experiment.

BGAH has a wide range of equipment that we use on location. It's a bit of a chore trying to lug it around with you, but without it we wouldn't be able gather data for further research.

It's an imperative part of the investigation to capture, analyse and catalogue all evidence for future reference and knowledge. So for the moment our equipment list grows longer, and so does our wanted list, which includes a thermal imaging camera.

We meet some lovely people on our travels, people who have had a brush with the paranormal and who are genuinely intrigued by their experience. We always listen and, if need be, offer advice.

We're not experts, but then who is? We don't believe there are experts in the paranormal field. If there were, then surely we'd have an explanation by now.

It's too easy to say: "It's all in the mind" and dismiss the possibilities. Yes, sometimes it can be explained away, but not always.

I believe ghosts do exist. They remain in their own reality, another dimension that sometimes coincides with our own.

Working with sensitives and scientifically-minded people produces results, and this is how Birmingham Ghosts and Hauntings operates out in the field. Why should we separate scientific and psychic investigation or experimentation? Both of these disciplines can complement each other.

We continue to learn and educate ourselves in the field of the paranormal.

Fear is created by a lack of knowledge and understanding - nothing more.