CPI Evidence Collection & Analysis 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When photographing potential paranormal light anomalies, which environmental factor most commonly produces false orb images?
- Low battery in the camera
- Dust particles, moisture, or insects near the lens (Correct answer)
- Using a flash in a dark room
- High ISO camera settings
Correct answer: Dust particles, moisture, or insects near the lens
Dust, moisture droplets, and insects reflect flash light and appear as orbs, making them the most common source of false-positive orb photos.
Question 2: An investigator captures a 'mist' on camera during an outdoor nighttime investigation. What is the most important variable to rule out first?
- Camera lens quality
- The investigator's breath in cold air (Correct answer)
- Battery temperature
- Memory card storage space
Correct answer: The investigator's breath in cold air
Breath vapor in cold outdoor air is the most common mundane explanation for photographic mist anomalies.
Question 3: Which data logging method provides the most objective record of environmental changes during an investigation?
- Handwritten logs by lead investigator
- Continuous automated sensor logging with timestamped data (Correct answer)
- Verbal team radio check-ins
- Post-investigation team interviews
Correct answer: Continuous automated sensor logging with timestamped data
Automated sensor logs produce objective, timestamped data free from human memory bias or selective reporting.
Question 4: What is 'matrixing' (pareidolia) in the context of paranormal photo analysis?
- A grid system used to map investigation areas
- The brain's tendency to see familiar patterns, like faces, in random visual noise (Correct answer)
- A photo enhancement technique used to reveal hidden details
- Distortion caused by a damaged camera lens
Correct answer: The brain's tendency to see familiar patterns, like faces, in random visual noise
Matrixing (pareidolia) describes the human brain finding meaningful patterns—especially faces—in random or ambiguous images.
Question 5: Why is chain of custody important when handling paranormal evidence files?
- It allows investigators to sell evidence legally
- It ensures the evidence has not been altered or tampered with after collection (Correct answer)
- It speeds up the evidence review process
- It is only required for video footage, not audio
Correct answer: It ensures the evidence has not been altered or tampered with after collection
Maintaining chain of custody documents who handled evidence and when, protecting its integrity and credibility.
Question 6: A team member reports seeing a shadow figure in their peripheral vision. How should this be classified in the investigation report?
- Confirmed paranormal sighting
- Class A visual anomaly
- Subjective personal experience (SPE), not physical evidence (Correct answer)
- Photographic anomaly pending review
Correct answer: Subjective personal experience (SPE), not physical evidence
Personal sightings without corroborating physical evidence are classified as subjective personal experiences and carry less evidentiary weight.
Question 7: When should an investigator label and time-stamp an audio file recorded during an investigation?
- Only if the investigator believes it contains paranormal content
- Immediately after recording, before any review or playback (Correct answer)
- After the entire investigation is complete
- Only when submitting evidence to a third party
Correct answer: Immediately after recording, before any review or playback
Immediate labeling and time-stamping preserves accuracy and prevents files from being confused or attributed to the wrong location or time.
CPI Evidence Collection & Analysis 3
When photographing potential paranormal light anomalies, which environmental factor most commonly produces false orb images?