The Sycamore Public Library, 103 E. State St., was filled with believers and skeptics Wednesday night, all for one purpose: to see and hear the presentation given by the DeKalb County Paranormal Society.

The DCPS came to Sycamore to give a presentation titled “A Night in the Life of a Ghost Hunter,” during which each member of the team shared information about what they do and things they’ve experienced.

Jennifer Sliffy, the team’s historical research assistant, told the audience why history was important in investigating paranormal activity. She said history can disprove rumors about certain locations, or explain why current inhabitants are experiencing certain things. The team gathers information like the address of the would-be haunted location, any known previous owners, nearby landmarks and any circulating rumors, and they research according to this information.

“History gives us a base point of where to start,” Sliffy said.

DCPS investigator Chad Johnson explained some of the gear the team uses, such as electromagnetic field detectors, voice recorders, cameras and video equipment. He also said that, before going on a hunt, an investigator should be well rested and calm.

“Having a neutral mind-set helps you pick up on some things,” Johnson said.

He said while investigating, the team will use their EMF detector to identify electromagnetic fields, which could be a sign of paranormal activity. They also do random photography, where they take pictures randomly at different intervals without establishing a pattern. These pictures, once developed, could have an image that, as long as it cannot be duplicated or disproved, would prove paranormal activity.

The team also conducts electronic voice phenomenon sessions, during which the team asks questions to the spirits or entities at the location, hoping that upon review, the recording will hold a voice of someone other than their team. During the presentation, the team played three EVP recordings, taken in the Joiner History Room of the Sycamore Public Library. Johnson said the team was near the cornerstone of the building, where a time capsule was buried.
“What was underneath the cornerstone of this building? What was in there?” Johnson asked the entity.

After asking, a ticking clock sound could be heard for a few seconds, then abruptly stopped once he asked another question. The team determined that there was no clock in the room, nor were any of their watches loud enough to make this noise.

“We thought it meant time, referring to the time capsule,” Johnson said.

DCPS also explained how they attempt to come up with every possible scenario to debunk proof of paranormal activity.

“Incidents are very rare,” Johnson said. “We don’t always get one every time we get called to a haunted house.”

Johnson said that orbs, or balls of light sometimes associated with the paranormal, could be dust in the air. A streak of light or strange shape could be light reflected from somewhere in the room or from outside. In addition, cell phones and radios could affect certain sensors or detectors used by investigators.

“Hopefully, you get that little nugget of information or that piece of proof that you can’t debunk,” Johnson said.

Other members of the DCPS include founder Nik Kousoulas, case manager Jon Corn and tech Randy Deacon.

More information about the DeKalb County Paranormal Society can be found on their MySpace or Facebook sites.

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