We here at Spectral Review as you might imagine enjoy the “reality” based ghost and paranormal shows. These shows include Most Haunted, Ghost Hunters, Paranormal State and Ghost Hunters International. These shows in their own way each try to find answers to questions about the paranormal. One could argue about their methods or motivations but they do try to show how they search for ghosts.

These shows are just representations of real people who do paranormal research. Nearly 100% of these people do this paranormal research for free. That tells us that these researchers are not only dedicated to this research but passionate about it also.

We want to know more about these people. Why do they do this research? How did they start? What expertise do they have?

Our next article in the “People in Paranormal Research” series is from Robyn Onspaugh. Robyn is the Founder/President/Lead Investigator of Lachesis Sight Paranormal Investigation & Research (LSPIR).

We hope you like this series. If you have any suggestions or want to participate in our series, use our contact form. And as always you can leave your comment here.

Onto the questions and Robyn’s awesome answers.

How long have you been in paranormal research?

I created LSPIR and began my own journey into paranormal investigation and research in June of 2007. Though, my interest in the paranormal started at a very early age. So, to do something like this, for me, is almost like a dream come true!

Where are you located, what area of the world do you do investigations? What is the farthest you have traveled to do an investigation?

We are based in Pasco County, Florida just north of Tampa. We have been investigating in the northern counties of the Tampa Bay area. But, we will go wherever clients need us.

As of now, the furthest that I, personally, have traveled is about 40 or 50 miles away. There are members of the team that live in other parts of Florida outside Pasco County and the Tampa Bay area. One is in Gainesville and two live in Kissimmee. They drive even further.

Though, we will travel as far as we can drive. Unless, of course there’s a case that would come up that we couldn’t resist; We’d go to the other side of the world if we were asked to!

Was there a particular reason or event that lead you to do this research?

As I said earlier, I have had a lifelong interest and fascination with the paranormal. But, during the early part of the summer in 2007 I started noticing very odd things happening in my home. Things had been going on for years but, they seemed to increase that summer. The more I experienced, the more my interest grew. I began reading up on paranormal activity and ghosts and came across the area of investigation and research. I thought, “Now this is something I would love to do!” And now here I am, doing it. I’d like to thank the spirits in my house for motivating me.

Why do you continue to do this work?

The more you study something, you more you learn about it. There is so much more to learn about the afterlife and the paranormal in general. The answers are out there. We just need to tread on and keep searching for them. Someone told me recently that there has never been indisputable proof of the existence of ghosts. I asked, “So, should we pack our bags and go home? Give up?” I don’t think so!

What would be the most compelling evidence you have seen or heard?

We have a picture taken from a case in Brooksville, FL. One of our investigators took a photo of another team member outside while they were conducting an EVP session in the garden. Behind him, to the right in the background on a bench is a figure. There was no one else outside with them! Our photography expert ran the photo through a filter and you can clearly see the image of a person on that bench, watching my investigators!

That picture is just amazing to me. We also captured some pretty captivating EVPs during that case. I know the voices we caught were none of my team members. To me, that evidence was pretty compelling. We know there’s a ghost in that building. And I believe our evidence proves that much.

(Editor’s Note: See and hear this evidence to which Robyn refers.)

What is your role in your group? Is that where you started? What other roles would you like to learn and do?

I’m the Founder, President and Lead Investigator.

I pretty much know every role. Having built this team on my own, I had to learn every aspect of what goes into it. I know everything from how to hook up the equipment to how research past property owners. I had to learn it all so that I could teach others that came into the group. There were many, many hours of reading and studying on my part.

Have you taken any formal training in your life that has enhanced your skill set for your paranormal work?

I have worked customer service before so, I am comfortable dealing with clients. I suppose that’s a plus. Being in the military taught me how to be part of a team and leadership skills. LOL! The one thing that I think benefits investigators in the field during cases the most is plain old common sense! If you cannot think logically and sensibly while investigating the paranormal, then you probably shouldn’t be doing it.

What advice would you give someone who wanted to get into the paranormal field?

Research and read as much as you can about it. There are several good books out there on How to Be a Ghost Hunter. Those are important to gaining more knowledge of the field. Read as many as you can and from several different authors so you can get varying ideas, theories and concepts on the subject. Take what you like from each one and develop your own way of doing things. And read other teams websites as well. There’s much to be learned from teams that have been doing this for several years. There is always something new to be learned out there and your research will never end. Also…be serious about what you do. Be dedicated to the cause and be respectful of clients and the spirits you’re investigating.

Is there some aspect or point of view about the paranormal field that you wished that everyone in the field followed?

I think that every paranormal investigator should understand that we could benefit from sticking together. We can all learn from one another and realizing that could aid us in furthering our research into the paranormal. Too many teams seem to be in competition with each other. That does not, in any way shape or form, help what we are trying to accomplish! There should be some sort of international alliance. That’s just my opinion.

What misconceptions do the public and/or media have about the paranormal field you wish you could dispel?

This is not an easy field to get into if you are serious enough about it. If you want the respect of the communities that you are serving, you need to work hard to earn it. There is a lot of hard work, organization and research about research that goes into putting a team like this together. You’re paying out thousands of dollars for equipment to do a job that doesn’t pay. The rewarding part is actually helping someone. That’s the pay off. That and finding that piece of evidence that makes you go, “WOW!”