Cultures all over the world believe in the afterlife and the supernatural.

Plenty have claimed to have experienced supernatural phenomena and there are various descriptions of ghosts with different characteristics and appearances. However, the science and logic behind the existence of ghosts still remain shrouded in mystery.

In an attempt to learn more about the supernatural world, some have done research through real life experiences and investigations. These people are paranormal investigators and they ascertain if a place is haunted by using different equipment and methods.

We had a chat with local paranormal investigators Shawn Li from The Supernatural Group (TSG), and Noel Boyd from Singapore Paranormal Investigators (SPI), in order to find out more.

1. What exactly do you investigate?

Shawn Li (SL): "I started The Supernatural Team (TST) in 2012 with the primary aim of investigating the afterlife. I always go to the extreme mile to pursue compelling paranormal evidence."

Noel Boyd (NB): "I am a paranormal investigator... My aim is to entertain and to educate not only Singaporeans but people around the world about what the paranormal world is about."

To do this, Boyd has a show documenting their investigations.

NB: "The show brings us around Singapore when we find out that a place is haunted through social media. We do a site recce in the day and then at night... we got all these paranormal gadgets that we use to show people that it is haunted."

Their investigations also includes offices.

NB: "Instead of like spending money on a bomoh or medium, they (businessmen) would pay me to do an investigation at their business premises to see if that place is really haunted."

2. So, what is a ghost?

Li and Boyd both told us that ghosts are energies.

SL: "They are made of different forms of energies and spectrums of light."

NB: "Ghosts are negative energies left behind when people die. They are a mass of energy because how else can they light up my EMF (electromagnetic field) equipment and zap power from camcorders and home appliances?"

3. How do you find ghosts?

NB: "I think it’s a lot easier to capture them at night...In the day, there’s always a lot more noise. You got traffic, you got people walking about...So we try to eliminate all those things."

Both Boyd and Li both use a range of equipment, such EMF detectors, infrared, full-spectrum and night-vision cameras, as well as a spirit box.

• EMF detector

An EMF is used to detect entities present in the area. The needle will swing to the red portion when an entity is touching it:

How it works: All things in the natural world emit an invisible area of energy called an electromagnetic field, and these can possess different wavelengths and frequencies. Results on the detectors suggest that ghosts are present in the area.

Yields best results when: By ensuring that there are no electrical sources that can interfere with the equipment, such as electrical appliances.

• Spirit boxes

Spirit boxes are used to communicate with the paranormal entities. The spirit box is pictured on the left:

How it works: Spirit boxes generate white noise because some theories suggest that entities require a certain energy to be heard.

SL: "Very often we rely on equipments like the Spirit Box... to act as a channel to communicate with them in real time. We will usually ask a few simple questions like:

- Are you here with us? If yes can you show us a sign?

- How many of you are here?

- Do you mean us harm?

Often the reply will come in broken sentences."

• Infrared, full-spectrum and night-vision cameras

How they work: Infrared, full-spectrum and night-vision cameras may capture anomalies in a spectrum of light that cannot be seen by our eyes.

The cameras might pick up orbs and figures, and these images may be attributed to supernatural entities. Here are some photos from SPI's investigations:

4. What were your craziest encounters with the supernatural?

SL: "I remember during one of our past investigations in Labrador Park, we managed to capture a half upper body female spirit entity in one of the cave while we filmed from outside."

NB: "I did something at Pulau Ubin and we heard this female entity sing...I thought the voice was beautiful, and then the people that were in my team then, said that it was one of the most horrible things they’ve heard. I was very attracted to this voice and then after we got back, every night for a week I would wake up with a fever at about 3am and the fever would last for about an hour."

Boyd also recounted an incident at Kubor Kassim, a Muslim cemetery, where he was choked by a entity.

When asked what it felt like, he told us that it felt like a real hand.

He explained that he used to be very "garang" (Malay for impulsive and foolhardy). As a result of his aggressive or disrespectful behaviour, he sustained injuries, such as slaps and scratches:

[related_story]

A product of one's imagination and cultural beliefs?

Accounts of the supernatural are always varied. Supernatural entities can appear as orbs, silhouettes, humans, animals or figures with varying opacities.

Boyd believes that cultural lenses and individual fears may affect our perception of entities.

NB: "My case studies have shown that ghosts can appear as animals and can manifest into entities that one fears most. Maybe that's why I've never seen a pontianak. I don't believe in her existence."

SPI and TSG aim to gather paranormal evidence through their encounters. However, there are also groups such as Asia Paranormal Investigators (API) that wish to debunk urban myths and supernatural occurrences.

They believe that paranormal encounters usually arise due to misconceptions and distorted views caused by beliefs and emotions such as fear. Hence, supernatural encounters are largely a product of one's imagination and beliefs.

According to their website, they have 6 steps to derive the cause of a phenomenon using critical analysis, and they claim that no phenomena has been unaccounted for:

Paranormal investigators strive to educate people on the supernatural and clear misconceptions, which can give rise to different conclusions and takeaways.

Some may conclude that supernatural entities exist, but hold that certain superstitions are baseless. Others may conclude that supernatural occurrences can be attributed to cultural beliefs and humans' physiological responses to fear.

Nevertheless, no matter what we choose to believe, it is always good to remain open-minded and understand the different approaches that help us make sense of the world beyond us.

Here are some interesting articles you should check out next:

Quiz: Which kind of Singaporean social media user are you?

Two aunties visit Changi Airport T4, compare it to Paya Lebar airport

Top photos courtesy of Noel Boyd.