Mixed Deck — All CPI Topics Flashcards

A 'control recording' made outside the active investigation area is used primarily to:

Answer: Establish a baseline of environmental sounds to distinguish from anomalous audio

A control recording made in a neutral location captures the ambient sound profile of typical environmental conditions, allowing reviewers to identify what is 'normal' versus anomalous.

Which philosopher is most associated with early systematic documentation of apparition cases in the 19th century through the Society for Psychical Research?

Answer: Frederic Myers

Frederic Myers co-founded the SPR and authored 'Human Personality and Its Survival of Bodily Death,' systematically cataloging apparition cases.

An investigator discovers that a full-spectrum image shows a repeating grid pattern of bright dots. What is the MOST likely technical cause?

Answer: Dead or stuck pixels on the camera sensor creating a fixed pattern of permanently lit points

Dead or stuck pixels are sensor defects that consistently appear as fixed bright or colored dots in the same location across every image taken with that camera.

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.

Why should environmental conditions be logged during evidence review?

Answer: To correlate activity with environmental changes

Environmental logs provide context and help explain or rule out natural causes for anomalies.

Why is using a baseline reading important before an investigation?

Answer: To compare normal and abnormal conditions

Baseline readings help investigators differentiate between normal environmental conditions and anomalies during the investigation.

An investigator uses noise reduction software and discovers a voice underneath white noise. Why should the original unprocessed file always be preserved?

Answer: Noise reduction algorithms can create voice-like artifacts not present in the original

Aggressive noise reduction can generate spectral artifacts that sound like voices, so preserving the original ensures any disputed EVP can be verified against the unaltered source.

What protocol should be followed when a team member has a known medical condition (e.g., epilepsy, heart condition) before an investigation begins?

Answer: Disclose the condition to the team leader and ensure all members know emergency response steps

Team awareness of medical conditions enables rapid and appropriate response if the member experiences an episode during the investigation.

What is 'confirmation bias' and how should a CPI investigator guard against it?

Answer: The tendency to favor information that confirms pre-existing beliefs, guarded against by applying consistent skeptical analysis to all evidence

Confirmation bias leads investigators to accept evidence supporting paranormal explanations while dismissing contrary data, and it is countered by applying rigorous skeptical analysis equally to all evidence.

A team member reports seeing a shadow figure in their peripheral vision. How should this be classified in the investigation report?

Answer: Subjective personal experience (SPE), not physical evidence

Personal sightings without corroborating physical evidence are classified as subjective personal experiences and carry less evidentiary weight.

Which communication device is most reliable for team coordination in buildings with thick stone or concrete walls?

Answer: Two-way radios (walkie-talkies) on a dedicated channel

Two-way radios operate on radio frequencies that penetrate heavy construction materials better than cellular signals or Bluetooth.

What does a thermal imaging camera detect to produce its images?

Answer: Infrared radiation emitted by objects

Thermal cameras detect infrared radiation (heat) emitted by all objects and convert it into a visible temperature map.

Why is it important to document the temperature and humidity conditions during video evidence collection?

Answer: Condensation mist, fog breath, or thermal anomalies can create visual effects that are mistaken for apparitions

Breath condensation in cold air, water vapor, and temperature-related visual effects can appear on camera as mist or moving shapes that mimic apparitions, so environmental data allows reviewers to rule out these causes.

What is the purpose of establishing a clear scope of investigation during client intake?

Answer: To set mutual expectations about what will be investigated, how, and what outcomes are possible

A clearly defined scope ensures both the client and investigators share realistic expectations, reducing misunderstandings and ethical disputes.

What characteristic distinguishes a Class C EVP from Classes A and B?

Answer: It is extremely faint, heavily disputed, and often unintelligible even after processing

Class C EVPs are the lowest quality designation—so faint or distorted that listeners routinely disagree on content, making them weak evidence.

The 'Multiverse Theory' as applied to paranormal investigation suggests that apparitions could be:

Answer: Bleed-throughs or glimpses of parallel realities coexisting with ours

Some paranormal theorists apply multiverse concepts to suggest apparitions may be glimpses into parallel dimensions or alternate timelines bleeding into our own.

How should a paranormal investigation team handle evidence from a case that is under active police investigation?

Answer: Withhold or surrender evidence to law enforcement as directed by legal authorities

Evidence related to an active criminal investigation must be handled according to law enforcement direction to avoid obstruction of justice charges.

What does 'triangulation of evidence' mean in paranormal investigation?

Answer: Cross-referencing multiple independent evidence types to support a conclusion

Triangulation means corroborating findings across multiple evidence types (audio, video, sensor data) to increase confidence in a conclusion.

A CPI professional encounters an unfamiliar situation while performing emf & environmental detection tools duties. What is the most appropriate first action?

Answer: Consult relevant standards, guidelines, or a qualified supervisor before proceeding

When facing unfamiliar situations in emf & environmental detection tools, the most appropriate action is to consult relevant standards, guidelines, or a qualified supervisor. This ensures safety, accuracy, and compliance while building professional knowledge.

When analyzing historical accounts of paranormal events, what is 'source bias' and why does it matter?

Answer: The inclination of a source's author to present information in a way shaped by their perspective, culture, or agenda

Source bias refers to how an author's perspective, beliefs, or agenda can shape how events are described, which investigators must account for when evaluating historical accounts of paranormal events.