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PIPR is currently using the Protocols
that were written by Kenneth Biddle, Director of PIRA
of Pennsylvania
1. Always get
permission to be on a property and NEVER trespass. If there are
aren't any signs, such as "No Trespassing" or "Keep
Out" then the site is ok to investigate, but you should still
try to obtain prior permission before being there. If there are
gates, chains, ropes, etc., surrounding a site you are to assume
that you are NOT to enter the site.
If you happen to find a sign while already on the property,
and prior permission has not been obtained to be on the property,
then the investigation is over. Immediately pack up and leave.
2.
Always carry proper ID. Proper ID is a license and/or some kind of
picture identification.
3.
Always survey and map out an area you are investigating before the
investigation and preferably during daylight hours. This can be
accomplished either through a preliminary investigation or a simple
walk-through of the premises. Always treat the owners/operators and
their property with respect, and as if that property were your own.
Conduct yourselves in a professional manner during the
investigation.
4.
Interviews of residents and witnesses will be conducted during the
Preliminary Investigation and at the Presentation of Evidence, not
during your main investigation.
5.
All equipment is to be checked prior to leaving for the
investigation, as well as upon arrival at the location. This means:
a.
You have plenty of fresh or charged batteries on hand.
b.
Camera straps are removed or wrapped tightly around the hand and/or
wrist. (Note: I am aware of what a strap can do when it gets in
front of the lens, I am also aware of how much some of these cameras
cost. The possibility of dropping one's camera is very high,
especially when you are walking around dark cemeteries or unfamiliar
ground.)
6.
Long hair is to be tied back or kept under a hat.
7.
No perfumes or colognes are worn during investigations. Unscented
deodorant is to be used as well.
8.
Photos and/or video taken in cold weather should be done with
breathing in mind. Take steps to ensure a picture or video isn't
taken after you exhale in cold weather.
9.
Do not conduct outside investigations during bad weather. This
includes snow, rain, fog extreme heat, and extreme wind.
10.
Photographs are not taken indoors if there is an obvious problem
with dust. If you can see it in the viewfinder, so can the camera.
Documentation is your best friend if in doubt.
11.
Camera lenses are cleaned only at the beginning of a new roll of
film or disc.
12.
No whispering is permitted during investigations. During
investigations, make note of any external or natural noises.
These include trains passing by, motor vehicle, planes, dogs
barking, etc. This also includes any noises team members make.
Document the noises when appropriate or verbally speak them so any
team member knows that is recording where a particular sound came
from.
13.
Analog recorders must make use of an external microphone to
eliminate noise from the recorders internal gears. It is also
recommended that you have an external microphone on any of
your audio recorders.
14.
Reflective surfaces should be noted and avoided to the best of a
team member’s ability when taking pictures during an
investigation. If one cannot be avoided documentation should be done
to note the time and conditions in question so they can be compared
with your picture later.
15.
All investigators are broken up into teams of at least two each.
This is for safety as well as having another person to witness an
experience.
16.
Evidence is not to be discussed with owners/operators until the
members can evaluate the data you collect first. We don't want to
provide a false positive or confirmation of a haunting when there is
another explanation that may not be noticeable at the time.
17.
No Smoking is tolerated during any investigation. If the
investigation is going to be exceptionally long or an overnighter,
then a designated smoking area will be assigned and the
investigation will break until at least ten minutes after the
cigarette has been extinguished. This allows time for the smoke to
totally disappear.
18.
No Drugs or alcohol is permitted before, during or after an
investigation.
19.
During any private home investigation, ask that only two people (the
owners) be present. Any more then that can and will cause a
disruption with our investigation.
20.
Do not take pictures of moving objects or from moving objects. This
causes a blurring effect on everything and renders the photo
useless.
21.
Keep your fingers away from the lens when taking pictures. Your
Index finger and thumb should be in a "C" position with
the rest of your fingers tucked in.
22.
Check the negatives on any photo with an anomaly present.
23.
All evidence collected by members of PIPR becomes the property of PIPR
and their respective owners. All evidence collected from an
investigation will be kept on file. Your files are to be kept
confidential and are only shared with members of PIPR, with the
obvious exception of the evidence posted on the website. Anything
posted on the website needs prior permission from the PIPR director
as to avoid any confidentiality issues before it is posted. All data
collected on an investigation under the name of PIPR will only be
posted on PIPR's main web site or the site of your respective
chapter.
24.
Investigative photographs are not tampered with or enhanced. The
only exception is the lightening of the picture for better viewing,
but this is to be noted and the original saved in its true form.
25.
EVP is not to be altered or filtered in any way. If background noise
is filtered out or any other alteration is done it may be posted,
but listed as such although it will be considered invalid for
investigative purposes. Always save your audio in it’s true form.
26.
At no time will anyone represent PIPR in any manner unless they
have been designated a team member or team leader. You must have an
application on file, the rule and waiver form signed and returned to
the director, and an approval letter from the director of PIPR.
27.
Waiver forms will be signed and collected by an PIPR team leader
prior to any investigation. Failure to sign a waiver form or failure
to collect them will result in immediate termination from your
membership in PIPR.
28.
Absolutely no souvenirs are to be taken from any site you are
investigating.
29.
All correspondence from PIPR to anyone will be written and sent by PIPR
Directors or PIPR Team Leaders only. All correspondence and
paperwork is to be approved by the directors of PIPR.
30.
A team leader will ALWAYS be present for every investigation that PIPR
does. There will be no exceptions and if team members conduct
an investigation without a team leader and use the PIPR name you
will immediately be removed from PIPR.
31.
Failure to comply with any of the above rules will result in
immediate suspension of membership in PIPR until the matter has
been investigated. PIPR reserves the right to terminate any
person's membership at any time as the director deems necessary.
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