About Us

The Center for Paranormal Research & Investigation

About Us

The Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation

Formerly the VA Ghosts and Hauntings Research Society

Established May 15th, 2000

The Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation** is a non-profit organization based outside of Richmond,VA. We conduct investigations into the paranormal in a non-metaphysical manner. One of our main goals is to seek out allegedly "haunted locations"* and to assist those who are experiencing problems with the paranormal. We then look for authentic evidence of the paranormal and try to determine if the location is haunted*. We are seeking genuine evidence and are careful about the presentation of this evidence... insuring that it is legitimate, researched and analyzed before being presented to the general public.

We use strict SCIENTIFIC methods to obtain TANGIBLE evidence - Evidence that leaves no doubt about its origin, cause and effect. Evidence that will be reproducible under controlled testing conditions. (example - If a ghost is residing in a home and is able to be clearly picked up by videotape, then it should be able to be clearly picked up upon testing replication.)

We are skeptics and not debunkers - skeptic means to question and debunk means to expose while ridiculing.

We are committed to proposing new theories regarding the paranormal that will be reproducible within a laboratory environment - to read about a few of these please click here.

The credibility of the group is maintained above all else as we do not work with psychics or conduct investigations using metaphysical methods. We are not "Ghost Busters", but when a case does prove to be genuine, assistance through other channels may be provided at the location owner's request.

In addition, we do not claim to be experts in the paranormal, as no experts exist when it comes to the supernatural, no matter what anyone may claim or who may claim to be one. We are instead working to present an image of competent researchers who are collecting the most authentic empirical evidence possible. Investigations conducted under the auspices of CPRI are always held to the standards of the group and are conducted with integrity, honesty and with discretion.

CPRI is also different from other ghost hunting organizations because we are a tangible society, not just an internet mailing list. We are a real group with active members and investigators. We conduct monthly meetings throughout the state.

We also seek to eduate the public about paranormal phenomena by sharing our research findings through our website, monthly newsletter and presentations at professional meetings and conferences. CPRI seeks to engage the public in a variety of ways and on a variety of fronts.

CPRI is currently working on numerous theories and research relating to the paranormal. To read more about these click here.

3 Step Investigation Process

Due to the high volume of investigation requests CPRI does not investigate all requests. We do make preliminary inquiries for ALL requests but NOT all of these result in a full scale investigation.

There is a 3 step process to our investigating procedures (it is explained below). If you feel you are experiencing paranormal events and would like a consultation - free of charge - please fill out this form. A member of the CPRI team will respond to your inquiry within 48 business hours.

Step One - We recieve your email and dispatch it to the Regional Director of your area. He/She will call/email you to conduct an initial interview.
Step Two - An initial investigation takes place - this involves only a couple of regional investigators. It last about 2 hours. During this time an EM (electro magnetic) Field survey is conducted, a lengthy interview is conducted with all of the occupants of the location, photographs are taken and audio recordings are made - based on this information - the Regional Director will dicuss the need for a full scale investigation.
Step Three - If a full scale investigation is warrented - meaning that the activity occurs in a somewhat predictable fashion or is a regular occurance - a team will be assembled - based on the type of activity that most frequently occurs to conduct an all night investigation (usually between 11:00 pm and 4:00 am).

The CPRI Team

CPRI, Inc is different from most paranormal organizations because our team is composed of professionals from diversified backgrounds. Our investigators have been trained by VA State certified forensic police instructors in the art of evidence collecting and interviewing witnesses. In the event any physical evidence is collected we have an establish protocol for Chain of Custody to ensure the integrity of all evidence collected.

Our Researchers
Many CPRI members have published their research regarding the paranormal in such premiere research journals as Fate Magazine and Ghost! Magazine. Our main focus on researching the paranormal is science. Our scientific research staff is composed of physicists, environmental scientists, geologists, chemists, radio-nuclear chemists and Aerospace engineers. These scientists are from the National Academy of Science, NASA and Lockheed Martin to name a few. We also have a former physics professor from Loyola University on staff. Unlike many organizations who concentrate on exploratory research by just conducting investigations CPRI uses confirming research along with Mathematic principles and Physics in conjunction with experiments to study the paranormal.

*The term haunted refers to the belief that ghosts, spirits or souls of deceased people sometime linger in certain locations. This HAS NOT been proven with any TANGIBLE evidence to date.

**The VGHRS changed its name to The Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation (CPRI) in 2005.