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 Melissa of Lachesis Sight Paranormal Investigation & Research (LSPIR). Melissa is the Vice-President and Case Manager for 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 Melissa’s terrific answers.

How long have you been in paranormal research?

I have been involved with LSPIR since Nov 2007. However, my interest in the field goes back as far as I can recall. I have always been interested in reading anything I could get my hands on that deals with the paranormal. Always loved hearing people’s stories.

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

I live in central Florida. Since my involvement with an organized group is recent, I haven’t had the good fortune to travel outside our area to investigate yet. One day I would love to go out west and investigate Tombstone and some castles in Europe.

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

I had a couple of experiences when I was young that I could not explain and those events stayed with me throughout my childhood and into adulthood. I have also had somethings happen as an adult that make me feel strongly there is an afterlife.

Why do you continue to do this work?

Because I think we are at a point where technology is allowing us to see and hear things that we have been unable to experience in the past. Also, the field is starting to be taken more seriously than it has been in the past.

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

With the realm of LSPIR, we have a picture taken at a retail store in Brooksville Florida of an apparition that we can’t explain. Also, there are a couple of amazing EVP’s captured at Spring Hill Cemetery.

(Editor’s Note: See the picture that Melissa mentions and listen to the EVPs.)

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

I am the Vice President and Case Manager. The great thing about our group is that we can all pitch in and help with technical work, as well as research and case prep, etc.

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

I have a background in the medical field. So I am pretty attuned to listening to people and being sympathetic to their problems. I am also pretty good at weeding out those who may be having problems that aren’t based in the paranormal.

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

Read everything you can get your hands on about the paranormal and then keep reading. Also, be patient. Spirits don’t act on cue.

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

I wish everyone were authentic in their evidence.

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

I would love for people to understand that the paranormal field is a serious scientific endeavor. We don’t believe that everything that goes bump in the night is paranormal. Sometimes it is and sometimes it is just your cat knocking something off the desk.