Throughout my time as a paranormal investigator I have been questioned by aspiring researchers as to how they can join or create their own team (s). I have noticed, due in large part to the Sci-fi hit show Ghost Hunters and the TAPS team (which I am a fan of) that many teams feel they must have a large number of members for their team to be successful and respected. This is not true however and in all honesty in my opinion is more harmful than helpful. My team until recently was doing just fine with just three people. We had all aspects covered and the job went just as smooth as it would have if we had 10 people, probably smoother in fact. I guess I should first discuss my team so you will see how a small team can accomplish the same feats a much larger one can. (last names will be omitted to insure privacy of team members)

Derek- Dravenstar director of cryptozoology. Derek is a very keen ear with evps and has become the official DPRT note keeper. His work is very good and he maintains a professional attitude. Derek has a background in computers and is very good when dealing with people.

Sonya- Came to us as a paralegal and did work on our forms. Now she is one of the researchers and does amazing work. She has theories and ideas that really work well with our work.

Jeremy- Known to most simply as Crow, Jeremy is the team sensitive and skeptic. He has an eye for detail and can usually pick away at a picture in very little time. His biggest skill is his ability to sense paranormal activity. Whenever he gets migraines in the field odds are pictures and recordings will return with anomalies in them. Jeremy also brings to the table the skill of drawing. He is a very amazing artist and this gives us someone who can map out the area on the spot or document any other thing that needs to be put on paper right on the spot.

Elyse- Elyse has several skills which make her an idea member of the team. She comes from a background in performing arts including off Broadway so her voice is very refined. This comes in handy for phone calls, interviews and EVP sessions. She is our audio tech. Elyse has also had many experiences in the paranormal and brings to the team a better understanding of it than most do.

Myself- I am lead researcher and head of Dravenstar. I also head up team blue, which is myself and Jeremy. My job is to arrange hunts and also to investigate them to the best of my ability. Now let me show you how together, our small team can get the job done just as well as any of greater number.

First our initial phone call which will be handled by either Sonya, Elyse, or myself. After we have established enough information to assume a haunting is in progress we head out to the location. Here it is a must that at least 2 of your members can drive and have appropriate licenses. Upon arriving Sonya or Elyse will interview our witnesses getting the info on tape and in writing. Now Jeremy and myself or Derek will get a walk through, mapping the area and noting any thing that could effect our investigation, such as vents and electrical appliances. After we know where we stand location wise Derek will set up the cameras in the places they are most needed. He will also set out stationary recorders that serve as listeners for us when we cannot be in the room our self. After a test that all gear set up is working fine I hand out the radios and we get a test on them. Now Elyse and Sonya will make way through the house acquiring EVP recordings and noting any feelings they get on the recorder. While they do this Jeremy and myself are busy taking pictures and documenting feelings we are getting. This allows us to cover much space in a little time. Derek is usually busy all the while monitoring the cams and keeping us informed of any anomalies and such that may appear. Both teams will be getting readings on thermometers and EMF detectors as well. When we have finished the investigation we pack up and inform the residents that we will return or phone them when we have evaluated the evidence collected in their homes.

Back at the office Elyse and I generally handle the EVP listening with the rest of the team. Any we pick up are transferred to computer and disc for further research and to present to the resident. Derek, Jeremy, and myself handle picture evaluation, which can take hours to finish as we take well over 500 pics per location. Afterwards we all watch the videos and try to locate any strange things that may have appeared. After we have evaluated the evidence which as been known to take several days, we return to the resident or we phone them to inform them of what we have discovered. When the case requires phone calls due to distance or a lack of any evidence regarding the paranormal Elyse or Sonya will handle the call and inform the resident of all the details. If we have to return Elyse, Sonya, Derek or myself make that return with all the evidence. It is not uncommon for us to bring Sonya's computer so we have the evidence handy for the homeowner to see and hear.

That is the typical investigation leaving out the investigating we actually do to save times and space. There are things you must remember to make a small team work well. First is everyone needs a task and they must make sure to complete that task. If one member slacks it could jeopardize the entire investigation. Each person has to maintain professional attitude and courtesy to the homeowner, after all they are letting you in their home. Remember if every single member is working at what they need to do the team will function smoothly and the results will be worth the hard work. Now you know any size team can be effective in the field and accomplish just as much as larger teams. Happy hunting.