Personal Experience Protocol

Purpose:

During the course of an investigation, individual investigators may experience phenomena, ranging from changes in temperature to seeing moving forms or shapes.

This protocol is designed to ensure that these experiences are recorded in a consistent manner and that investigators can attempt to corroborate the experience with other witnesses or equipment readings.

Materials:

The investigator's senses. A description of the phenomena either on paper or audio. Readings or other evidence gathered by appropriate equipment.

Methods:

Investigators will work in teams, a minimum of two per team.
On noticing something unusual, the investigator will call the team over by saying something neutral like "come here".
As the other teammates arrive, the investigator will indicate there is something to experience, again using neutral language, along the lines of "do you smell/hear/feel that?"
Other investigators, if they can experience something, will state either yes or no. They will then attempt to describe what they have experienced while readings are taken, if appropriate to do so.

Example: in the case of a cold spot, the investigators should attempt to take a temperature reading at the indicated spot and follow this up with a reading away from the spot.

In the case of a smell, someone should describe what they smell.

If something has been seen by more than one person, other investigators should be brought over and the witnesses should independently describe what they saw. In the case of a sighting, the witnesses should attempt to get photographic evidence or indicate where the phenomena is for the benefit of any cameras present. In this case, the witnesses should NOT discuss what they have seen with one another and should speak only to a non-witness.

Controls:

If a report is made to the room audio, the investigator should state their name, the location and the time. If being interviewed, the interviewer should write the investigator's name, time, location and then have the witness sign the completed statement, countersigning it themselves. Meter readings should also be recorded along with name and time, plus ambient readings if appropriate. This should all be presented to the Business Manager as quickly as possible, so keep such data separate from any log sheets for the location.

Data Interpretation:

If there is any corroborating evidence it will be included as part of the standard evidence review. The witness or witnesses should not be the ones to review that portion of evidence if at all possible.
Personal experiences without any backup will not be included as part of the main report but may be included as anecdotal addenda to that report.
Experiences with multiple witnesses and supporting data from cameras, thermometers etc can be included.