What is the difference between a Ghost Hunter and a Paranormal Investigator?
This is a question that comes up from time to time, and although, when comparing investigative methods there can be little or no difference between the two.
For the record, I abhor being called a “Ghost Hunter”.
So what is the difference between Ghost Hunters and Paranormal Investigators? The answer is simple. It’s a mindset.
To better explain, you merely have to take look at some of the synonyms for the words Hunter and Investigator:
| HUNTER | INVESTIGATOR |
| Stalker | Examiner |
| Trapper | Inquirer |
| Chaser | Reviewer |
| Killer | Analyst |
Are those who call themselves Ghost Hunters so disrespectful that they only see the spirit world as their prey, something to be hunted down for their own amusement?
Joe Cairney CPI
Ghost Hunters
Unfortunately, my first hand and on-line experience has led me to believe that so many self-proclaimed Ghost Hunters are disrespectful of the spirit world.
Their investigative tales show them to be ill-prepared, and who, on a whim, will explode onto a location demanding the spirits (which they find in every noise, shadow, photograph and recording they come across) perform for them like trained monkeys.
It’s my belief that those who call themselves Ghost Hunters do so out of bravado and/or ignorance or both.
Paranormal Investigators
If an individual or team calls themselves Ghost Hunters, and everything written under the previous heading does not apply, then perhaps Paranormal Investigator is a much more accurate term that should be adopted.
Paranormal Investigators are people who are respectful of the afterlife, who are there to communicate with Spirit, and if possible, help if needed. They are people who analyze what is happening around them, and, with an open mind, examine all possible evidence they obtain, rejecting all evidence they are unsure of or that they can replicate. They are people who do thorough research before and after each and every investigation, because at the end of the day they want to be seen as dedicated, professional investigators, who can be called upon to conduct serious paranormal investigations.
North Cornwall Paranormal said it best in a post they published on Facebook:
“Being a real Paranormal Investigator isn’t about running around screaming or negatively provoking reactions. It’s about finding break through evidence, seeing beauty in historical places, helping those in need, talking to souls from the past and hearing stories lost in time.”
What say you?