Modern paranormal investigators have incorporated the use of electromagnetic field (EMF) meters in their work for the last decade in attempts to track discarnate spirits. These instruments are the most commonly used devices by ghost hunters today (Taylor, 2001). However many “ghost hunter clubs” have little idea what readings are significant or even why they have this collection of expensive electronics. They simply read off another ghost hunter's web site that they use this meter or that instrument and mimic what they see. Others, who dare as much research as reading a “Ghost Hunter's Guide”, end up purchasing an instrument because it is what the professionals use.

These EMF meters were originally designed for electricians for detecting hidden wiring, energy leaks, and other more conventional uses. Meters like the Tri-field Natural EMF meter were designed for detecting storms and atmospheric changes. However in the recent years, the EMF meter has been coined the “ghost detector” and countless ghost clubs use them all over the world. If a Google search is performed on “EMF” and “ghosts”, there are over 11,000 hits. Most sites are either ghost clubs or articles about such clubs and their use of these instruments. However, there is little evidence on the web that correlate ghosts to magnetic fields.

This leaves one to wonder where the hidden correlation lies. The answer could be within the scope of our own minds. In neuroscience, one logical extrapolation to the basis of consciousness is that all experiences of an individual must exist as subsets of determined complex sequences of electromagnetic matrices (Persinger, 1995). Conscious thought would be based on the retrieval rate of information from these matrices. This rate can be identified by the five classifications of brainwave frequencies. These are Delta (0.1 to 3.9 Hz), Theta (4.0 to 7.9 Hz), Alpha (8.0 to 13.9 Hz), Beta (14.0 to 30.9 Hz), and Gamma (typically greater than 36 Hz extending to 50 Hz) waves. Modern ghost theory suggests that these electromagnetic matrices continue to exist after the death of the physical body.

The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created nor destroyed within the environment of a fixed system (Nuclear, 2004). Thus, the ability of the electromagnetic matrices to be maintained outside a physical body would be dependant on the rate of decay of this energy to its surrounding environment. Since the energy associated with brain wave activity is relative small intensity and of low frequency, it would be more inclined to a longer dispersion time. Enclosed environments would offer better shielding to system changes and allow the matrices to be more easily stabilized. This environment could then be considered a classic haunting in which a deceased individual's conscious is in control of experienced phenomena.

With identification of the brain's electromagnetic sequences, it would allow direct access to of the human consciousness from outside stimuli. This accessing of consciousness can be done through weak electromagnetic fields whose intensities are usually less than 10 milligauss (1 microT). Man-made electromagnetic sequences have been used on clinical test subject's temporal lobes in recent studies (Persinger). Determined results have included subjects being more sensitive to temperature changes or experience “chills”, a feeling of an outside presence, and other visual or physical sensations. These effects are similar to those reported in many cases of hauntings and spirit activity.

While the ability to manipulate a person's sensory perception by man-made EMF stimulation is in its infancy, this does not mean that the ability cannot be reflexive to an entity or spirit. In biochemistry, moving a simple muscle requires synchronization of thousands of chemical and neural processes. However, it is done almost effortless by most complex organisms with a simple thought. Trying to replicate such processes in a laboratory is staggering. Similarly, a spirit may be far more advanced than current technological field testing can replicate and it requires no large effort on its part.

If a discarnate spirit is the released electromagnetic matrices of the physical body and thus can use EMF to manipulate its surroundings and communicate to others, this model would offer us an explanation to such related ghostly phenomena as apparition appearances, cold spots, unexplained sounds, and sensations. If the electromagnetic matrices that govern conscious in an individual remain at a consistent frequency upon death, this could also explain why ghost hunters and paranormal researchers who use EMF detectors in their work often get inconsistent readings. Most meters are calibrated to 50 or 60 Hz., and the lower frequencies, as associated with brain waves, are not always easily detected or able to be detected by the meters.

Thus in order to use an EMF meter in the field of parapsychology with the greatest amount of success, a paranormal researcher needs to focus not only on intensity of electromagnetic fields, but the frequency of the fields generated. Ideal intensity levels for visual, auditory, and tactile sensations would be under 10 milli-gauss. Ranges higher than that would be more situated for physical manipulation of items by a discarnate spirit.

Frequencies expected would fall under 50 Hz. Since conscious active thought is in the higher ranges (alpha, beta, and gamma regions), these frequencies would be the best candidates for classical hauntings where the lower ranges would be expected to be prominent during residual hauntings.

As science gives us a better understanding of the human mind, the effects of electromagnetic fields on the living, and how to detect these fields, greater strides in paranormal research will be obtainable by allowing us to rule away natural caused phenomena from the conscious soul of the deceased. Thus, it will open new doors in spirit identification, classification, and communication.