The vast majority of cases start with ''first contact'': someone experiencing an strange event reaches out to a research center, parapsychologist, or a cryptid hunter. Hopefully, they find someone who can help. Hopefully, they find L.I.C.E.
Other times, scouts stationed in areas of high activity will come across signifying pieces of evidence. For example, someone stationed in Pleasant Point, West Virginia may start hearing rumors of Mothman activity or see something suspicious on a local TV network. This agent will report the activity to L.I.C.E. This type of investigation is handled differently than client cases.
When a call from a potential client comes in, you must be a good listener and good interviewer, be an open-minded skeptic. If given the caller's permission, record the phone call.
Let them tell their story in full. Then ask:
For an in-depth list of potential questions, see this resource page.
Next, do an inital assessment of the situation.
Note: DO NOT jump to conclusions at this stage.
Some people call in just to get validation of the experience, that what is being experienced is not something imagined, that it doesnt indicate insanity. People often just want to hear that theyre not alone in what theyre experiencing, that there are others who report such things. This is especially true in mild hauntings and apparition cases. Some people report apparitions/cryptid sightings/other strange activity simply for an understanding of what may be going on, or simply to report an occurrence that we (L.I.C.E.) might like to have on file. Mostly, the people involved wish for some kind of help, relief from the confusion caused by the experience, and often relief from the disruptions of normal activity that the episodes may cause. Sadly, all too often people contact L.I.C.E. to investigate an event thats already concluded. In this case, this will end up as more of an interview than a proper investigation. This interview will provide us with information that may be helpful in future cases.
In the case that this is an ongoing phenomenon, we might decide to start a full investigation.
There are some criteria for deciding whether to investigate and pursue a matter further, or merely to conclude business at the end of a phone call.
A full on-site investigation will commence only if the person(s) coming forward have requested one, or if the area of activity is open to the public.
Many accounts of "paranormal" activity can be easily explained by non psi events. Sometimes these are easy to figure out, much to the relief of everyone involved. Other times it takes a hands-on, thourough study into the person's life and surroundings to come to a non-paranormal conclusion.
An investigator would need to know how current the events are. Frequent events are looked for. If there has been an observed pattern to the events, then perhaps a ''stake-out'' can be arranged for observing the reported phenomenon. However, this is something that often doesn't work in real-life situations, since most people wouldn't have thought to look for common factors and wouldn't notice a pattern unless it was very obvious. If the events are sporatic, infrequent, or haven't happened recently, there is no need for an on-site investigation at this point.
It is extremely helpful if there is more than one witness to the events. Getting a different viewpoint of the same experience is helpful in really understanding what is going on, given that all the details of any one experience may not be noticed by a single person.
In short:
In shorter:
For corrections, questions, or further information, please contact your advisor.