Investigation Techniques & Equipment Usage Flashcards
7 cards from real CPI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Investigation Techniques & Equipment Usage flashcards as text
What is 'pareidolia' and why is it a critical concept for paranormal investigators analyzing photographic evidence?
Answer: The brain's tendency to perceive familiar patterns like faces in random stimuli
Pareidolia causes humans to see meaningful images such as faces or figures in random patterns, so investigators must recognize this bias when reviewing photos for anomalies.
When is it appropriate to use a spirit box (audio frequency sweeper) during an investigation?
Answer: As one of multiple tools during active communication attempts, with responses documented in context
Spirit boxes are most useful when used alongside other devices during active sessions, with any apparent responses corroborated by other simultaneous evidence.
What does 'chain of custody' mean when applied to paranormal investigation evidence?
Answer: A documented record of who handled evidence and how it was stored from collection to review
Maintaining chain of custody ensures that evidence has not been tampered with or contaminated, preserving its integrity and credibility for analysis.
What specific precaution should be taken when using a laser grid projector during an investigation?
Answer: Never look directly into the laser and ensure no team members walk through the beam unexpectedly
Laser grid projectors pose an eye hazard, so investigators must ensure the beam is never directed at or near eye level and all team members are aware of its position.
A client reports objects moving on their own. Which investigative technique best addresses this claim with measurable evidence?
Answer: Photographing the original position of objects and placing powder or thread to detect movement
Marking and monitoring object positions with photography and physical markers creates objective evidence of whether movement actually occurs, ruling out misremembering.
What is the primary reason investigators should use multiple overlapping audio recorders in the same area?
Answer: To corroborate EVP findings and rule out recorder-specific artifacts
Multiple recorders allow investigators to confirm that a captured sound appears on more than one device, ruling out single-device artifacts, interference, or mechanical noise.
What is the investigative purpose of conducting a pre-investigation interview with the location's occupants?
Answer: To gather a history of reported phenomena, identify hot spots, and note relevant background information
Pre-investigation interviews help investigators understand the reported phenomena, focus equipment placement, and identify potential natural explanations before entering the location.