A paranormal evidence log is a timestamped record of observations, equipment readings and related files from an investigation. Its value is traceability: another person should be able to tell what was observed, by whom, under which conditions and where the original recording is stored. A log does not by itself prove a haunting or make material court-ready.
Copy this field-log structure
Session header: Session ID; date; local time zone and UTC offset; permitted location or private location code; participants; equipment IDs and settings; clock differences; access and recording permissions.
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Time and place | Local time with seconds where useful, room or zone, and file timecode. |
| Observer | Name or team ID of the person making the entry. |
| Observation | What was heard, seen or measured, without an assumed cause. |
| Conditions | Known sounds, light, weather and people moving nearby. |
| Device reading | Model, mode, units, baseline and actual displayed result. |
| Media reference | Original filename, device ID and relevant time range. |
| Follow-up | Explanation tested, result, uncertainty and reviewer. |
Example only: “21:34:08 CDT (UTC−05:00), east hallway, observer A: three short knocks heard. REC1 file 0042.WAV at 00:12:08. Observer B was near the stair door. Follow-up: record the door latch separately and compare.” This records a sound and a testable possibility without assigning a paranormal cause.
Keep observation, testimony and interpretation separate
“Witness reports feeling cold” and “thermometer displayed 62°F” are different observations. Record each accurately, including the device’s units and position. Do not silently replace one with the other. Store a witness’s account separately from the team’s later theories.
If a display shows colored LEDs rather than a precise measurement, record the lit indicators and the model’s labeled range. Do not invent a numerical reading. A simultaneous sound and sensor change is a correlation to investigate, not proof they share a cause.
Preserve files and record transfers
- Keep the original native files and a separate working copy.
- Use a session folder and media index so file references remain stable.
- Record who copied or received each file, when, for what purpose and where it was stored.
- Keep processed versions separately, with software and settings documented.
- Verify backups before clearing a recorder or card.
NIST’s digital evidence preservation guidance addresses professional preservation considerations. A cryptographic hash can help compare file integrity with a recorded reference; it does not prove the truth of a description or identify a sound’s source. Calling a file “tamper-proof” is misleading.
Correct errors visibly
On paper, retain the original entry and add a dated correction with initials. In a digital log, keep version history or a correction column instead of silently overwriting an important fact. Mark notes added after the session as later additions. If a device clock was wrong, record the measured offset and how it was checked.
A notebook, spreadsheet or form can all work. Choose a format your group can complete consistently and back up. No particular app, signature or PDF export automatically guarantees legal admissibility.
Protect privacy and check recording rules
Keep names, contact information and private addresses out of public copies unless their disclosure is specifically agreed. Use location and witness codes, restrict access to originals and agree on storage and sharing practices before collecting sensitive accounts.
U.S. recording requirements vary by state and circumstances. Property access permission and permission to record conversations are separate issues. Consult the Reporters Committee’s recording-law guide and the applicable current law; get legal advice for a disputed situation. This hobby template is not a legal evidence procedure.
Equipment and further reading
Affiliate disclosure: HauntGears may earn commissions from qualifying purchases through product links, at no additional cost to you. If using the GhostStop Pro kit or FOWBOA 5-LED meter, log the exact devices and settings actually present. Verify current seller specifications and kit contents.
Poltergeists: Cases and Testimonies is related reading, not a substitute for independent verification of a claim. For practical field preparation, use the session checklist; for audio files, follow the EVP analysis workflow.
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