Chris Hughes believes it's better to be a skeptic than a believer if you want to become a paranormal investigator.

Hughes, a co-founder of the Little Egypt Area Paranormal Society, tries to focus on the science of the paranormal rather than the hype. LEAPS is a group of Southern Illinois paranormal investigators that branched out from the Southern Illinois Ghost Hunting Team.

Skeptics are more likely to question any possible activity they may find, Hughes said. The line between skeptic and believer also depends on your end goals. For those interested in studying the paranormal, skepticism rules supreme, but for someone wishing to "make contact" with a deceased relative or friend, it may be better to believe.

Whether you are a believer of a skeptic, the process of becoming a paranormal investigator is basically the same. Hughes said you can start the hobby with only a digital camera and an audio voice recorder if they want to try it out. As you continue to expand interest in the hobby, there is much more equipment available for purchase.

But the key tool needed is not a physical object, but rather a personal characteristic - professionalism.

Professionalism for a first-time investigator begins with not intruding into someone else's home, he said. A first-timer should start by investigating your own home, even if you do not believe it to be haunted, to learn how to use the equipment.

When entering someone else's house, show professionalism by taking what they say seriously and never laughing at them. Hughes said. Part of an investigator's goal is to help people understand.

For those wishing to become involved with a group of paranormal investigators, there are several options. Several smaller groups including LEAPS, SIGHT, Southern Illinois Ghost Hunters and Southern Indiana Ghost Hunting Team operate locally, while there are also national organizations such as the American Ghost Society.

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