Audio & Video Evidence Review Flashcards

When reviewing IR (infrared) video footage, which artifact is most commonly mistaken for a paranormal anomaly?

Answer: Dust particles reflecting IR light (orbs)

Dust particles in close proximity to the IR illuminators reflect light and appear as bright floating orbs, the most common camera artifact misidentified as paranormal.

What is the primary purpose of using a digital voice recorder with a built-in noise-reduction feature during EVP sessions?

Answer: To reduce background hiss so faint anomalous voices are more audible

Noise reduction lowers the ambient hiss floor, making any anomalous sounds stand out more clearly against the background.

A Class B EVP is best described as:

Answer: A voice that is audible but requires some audio enhancement and may not be agreed upon by all listeners

Class B EVPs are audible without major processing but are not universally agreed upon; they occupy the middle tier of the EVP classification system.

Which video review technique helps investigators determine whether a moving anomaly is on the camera lens versus actually in the room?

Answer: Checking whether the anomaly moves in relation to fixed background objects

An anomaly on the lens will not move relative to the fixed background, whereas something genuinely in the room will shift position against background reference points.

What does 'gain staging' mean in the context of EVP audio review?

Answer: Setting each amplification stage so that signals are boosted without introducing clipping distortion

Gain staging is the process of managing volume levels at each step in the audio chain to maximize signal quality while preventing clipping or excessive noise.

During video review, a shadow anomaly is observed crossing a wall. Which control condition BEST rules out a natural explanation?

Answer: Checking simultaneous footage from a second camera covering the same area

A second synchronized camera provides an independent vantage point; if the shadow appears on one camera but not the other, it suggests a camera artifact rather than a real phenomenon.

What is 'apophenia' and why is it relevant to EVP analysis?

Answer: The tendency to hear meaningful patterns (such as words) in random noise

Apophenia is the human tendency to perceive meaningful patterns in random stimuli; in EVP analysis it can cause investigators to 'hear' words in white noise or static that are not actually present.