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These rules and protocols are the property of ICPIR and any reproduction of the without the express written consent from the director of ICPIR will be considered theft. If you wish to use all or any part of our rules and protocol, please email the director to seek permisson. Thank you.


1. ICPIR members always obtain prior permission before conducting an investigation on any property. Trespassing will not be tolerated and is considered illegal. If you are caught trespassing, all affiliation with ICPIR will be ended immediately and permanently with no exceptions.

2. A team leader will ALWAYS be present for every investigation that ICPIR does. There will be no exceptions. If team members conduct an investigation without a team leader and use the ICPIR name, you will immediately be removed from ICPIR.

3. When investigating you should always have some form of picture ID: such as, a driver’s license, state ID card, military ID, etc.

4. Always survey and map out an area you are investigating before the investigation and preferably during daylight hours. This can be accomplished either through a preliminary investigation or a walk-through of the premises. When on a property, ICPIR members will conduct themselves in a professional manner.

5. Equipment used on investigations will be checked and tested at a location the team leader designates before each investigation. Each investigator has a check list that is provided to them. Make sure you go through the check list before you leave home and again at the designated meet up area.

6. Proper protocol will be followed when attempting any type of spirit photography or when collecting video evidence:

     a. Always use new or freshly recharged batteries for each investigation.

     b. Either remove or be very aware of where your camera strap is when taking pictures.

     c. Wear a hat or tie back long hair as to avoid contaminating any pictures or video taken.

     d. Any type of camera or cam corder should be taken out and allowed to get to the same temperature as the environment that you will be using it in.

     e. Be aware of your breathing especially in cold weather. Do not take a picture or any type of video right after exhaling or in areas where people have or are smoking. Make note of any type of steam, fog, etc. in your investigator’s log with the time and if applicable the number of the pictures taken.

     f. Make note in your investigator’s log of any environmental contaminants that may be present during the investigation. This includes but is not limited to: dust, pollen, humidity, etc. Remember to log environmental and weather conditions before you leave for your investigation.

     g. Camera parts are only to be cleaned at the beginning of a new roll of film. In the case of digital cameras it is to be noted in your log when the lens is cleaned if done during an investigation.

     h. Document any type of reflective surface in your investigator’s log when taking pictures under the respective picture number. When indoors, reflective surfaces should be covered if at all possible and noted in your log.

     i. Be still and steady when taking pictures to avoid “camera shake” or any type of movement.

     j. Be very aware of your hand position when taking pictures to avoid fingers getting in front of the lens.

     k. When analyzing a picture always have a negative or EXIF reader information present.

     l. Under no circumstances are you to alter or enhance any investigative photograph. The only exception would be the lightening of a photo for presentation. This will be noted and the original photograph will be presented along with the lightened version.

7. An investigator will refrain from using any cologne or perfume when on an investigation. Unscented deodorant is also recommended.

8. Weather is to be assessed before any investigation. If investigating outdoors, extreme weather conditions, rain, snow, fog, etc. will be cause for an investigation to be rescheduled.

9. Proper protocol will be followed when attempting to capture EVP:

     a. Whispering is not permitted during investigations.

     b. When recording make note of any type of noise that has a man made or natural cause. This includes any noises team members make. Document the noises when appropriate or verbally speak them so any team member knows that is recording where a particular sound came from.

     c. If using an analog recorder please be familiar with your equipment. Use an external microphone to eliminate internal noise from the recorder and always use a new tape for each investigation.

     d. EVP is not to be altered or filtered in any way. If background noise is filtered out or any other alteration is done it may be posted, but listed as such although it will be considered invalid for investigative purposes. Always save a version of your audio in its raw form.

10. Individuals will always be accompanied by another team member when investigating. This is for safety and validation purposes.

11. Do not discuss any evidence that you collect in front of a business or home owner until it can be evaluated first. We do not want to provide a false positive or confirmation of a haunting when there is another explanation that may not be noticeable at the time.

12. A designated time and area will be provided that is away from areas that we are investigating for those that smoke to avoid contaminating data collection.

13. Drug and alcohol use will not be tolerated before or during an investigation. This compromises you and your team member’s safety and all data collected will be considered invalid because your judgment will be impaired.

14. Any evidence collected during an investigation conducted by ICPIR becomes the property of ICPIR and the individual that collects it. All evidence will be kept confidential unless permission is granted to release it by the directors of ICPIR. Anything posted on the website needs prior permission from the ICPIR director as to avoid any confidentiality issues before it is posted. All data collected on an investigation under the name of ICPIR will only be posted on ICPIR’s main web site or the site of your respective chapter.

15. At no time will anyone represent ICPIR in any manner unless they have been designated a team member or team leader. You must have an application on file and an approval letter from the director of ICPIR to be considered a team member or leader of ICPIR.

16. Waiver forms will be signed and collected by an ICPIR team leader prior to any investigation. Failure to sign a waiver from or failure to collect them will result in immediate termination from your membership in ICPIR.

17. Absolutely no souvenirs are to be taken from any site that you are investigating.

18. Failure to comply with any of the above rules will result in immediate suspension of membership in ICPIR until the matter has been investigated. You must be at least 21 or older to attend an investigation or apply for membership with any ICPIR chapters or affiliates. ICPIR reserves the right to terminate any person’s membership at any time as the director deems necessary.