Pursuit of Paranormal Studies
Research and Investigations

Our mission is to seek out, study and document reasonable claims
of paranormal activity.

History | Clients | Investigations | Tools | Research | Membership | New Members | Networking

History

Pursuit of Paranormal Studies was officially established in February 2007 with six founding members.  Since then we have investigated a number of sites in Sonoma County, California, and are always looking for new locations and opportunities to assist others in the field. 

Clients

We do not release ANY personal information of our clients, and respect their rights regarding all recorded material, photos, and documentation we collect in the process of our investigations.  Nothing goes up on our website without their prior authorization.  We back up all of our investigations with contracts of service and liability, and each member of POPS is required to maintain their own medical insurance.

Investigations

We only go on investigations with prior consent by the property owners/managers.  As a group we do not go on "cemetary romps" or access areas off limits.  We respect private property, and do not trespass.  Simply put, those activities are illegal, and we do not participate in such activities.  We believe this sets us apart from other, less scrupulous groups who are in this field primarily for a personal rush or fame.  This is not the POPS goal, so those activities are to be avoided.

Tools

Depending on the needs and limitations of an investigation site, we are prepared to gather audio, visual and environmental evidence using a variety of tools:

Audio
Each investigator is equipped with an audio recording device, which we keep running at all times once we have arrived at a location - you NEVER know when you might pick something up!
Visual
We have at our disposal a variety of individually owned digital, SLR and video cameras.
Environmental
We like to use EMF readers to get baseline readings of a location and to locate areas of naturally occuring high magnetic activity. We remain skeptical of their use for "direct contact" with "entities", and while we have had some positive responses using these devices, we are familiar with their limitations and fallibility. Thermometers and other environmental recording devices are helpful.

Research

We do a great deal of research about all locations we are investigating, both prior and after an investigation.  Northern California has an abundance of great resources, from libraries and public records to museums and personal experiences.  We would like to provide as much information as possible to any of our clients about the state and history of their property, especially if it pertains to the investigation at hand.

Membership

All members of our group are volunteers, and are treated as such. We understand lives can get hectic, and we aim to work around people's schedules. That said, we do expect that if you take on particular responsibilites that you follow through with them. We maintain 3 levels of membership within POPS, and depending on your level of membership we may request voluntary dues.

When new members first join us, and for a probationary "get to know you" period, new members are considered Crew. We include Crew in each of our investigations and provide on-the-site training on our investigative style and expectations. Crew are not expected to pay dues, but may do so voluntarily if they so choose. When we feel one's training is complete and that their abilities meld with the group, Crew are invited to become Members.

As a full-fledged Member, everyone takes part in all group decisions regarding investigation locations, interviews and events. Also, full-fledged Members are expected to contribute dues, a reasonable $5/month. Only full Members can be assigned Case Manager dudies.

Case Managers are responsible for arranging all the details for an investigation and evidence reveals with our clients, maintaining files and evidence gathering for their investigations, and act as an overall liason and contact between POPS and our clients. There are at least two Case Managers for every investigation/location. Depending on group needs, other various positions are available for full Members to take on some responsibilities in the group. We have a Head Coordinator who is responsible for maintaining group tragectory and basically making sure "everything gets done". The coordinator position is not a "leader", but mostly a wrangler, if you will. We also have a regular Treasurer position, who takes care of our group expenses, purchases, and maintains the group dues.

New Members

P.O.P.S. is not actively seeking new members at this time, we will however accept applications at any time from people who are interested in joining up with us. If you have applied with us in the past and we didn't contact you, it's because we tried contacting you and couldn't get through to you! We always make every attempt to contact people interested in joining up with P.O.P.S. We do ask that you fill out an application with a few questions and return it to us.

Networking

We pride ourselves in being connected with other groups, we aren't in this for fame or fortune, but rather to seek out answers.  We commonly attend events organized by other groups in the Northern California area, and are happy to network with any other groups that are interested.  This is a constantly growing field, and networking and working together can only help in the development of scientific research methods, the gathering of evidence, and the analysis of what comes our way.