Abnormally high amplitude supply frequency electromagnetic fields as a factor in reported paranormal activity within a Cheshire farmhouse

Steven T. Parsons (1) Ann R. Winsper (2)

1 Department of Psychology, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool, UK.

2 Department of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK.

In early 2003, the authors were asked to investigate alleged paranormal phenomena at a remote farmhouse in Cheshire. The case presented a wide range of reported phenomena including visual and aural anomalies, sense of presence and an undiagnosed illness with symptoms similar to myalgic encephalitis within the teenage son. With the exception of the father, all family members reported varying degrees of personal anomalous experiences.
Interviews with the witnesses indicated that whilst the phenomena were spread throughout the house, the rooms at the front of the house were producing the majority of the reports.

An extensive series of physical measurements were undertaken by the authors and subsequently by Bristol University, Department of Human Environmental Studies. The authors also conducted extensive physiological and psychological tests on the household members and also on members of the investigation team.
The physical measurements showed an abnormally high amplitude Electro-Magnetic Field (EMF) concentrated within the front half of the house.
Furthermore, the measurements showed that the overall amplitude of the domestic supply frequency EMF was dependent upon the electrical demands placed upon the common supply of both house and farm, with the highest measured EMF levels occurring during periods of greatest electrical load.
The source of the high amplitude EMF was traced to an electricity supply cable attached to the gutter board below the eaves at the front of the house and immediately outside the son's bedroom window. The cable ran the full length of the front of the house prior to entering a ground floor distribution box, which supplied both the house and the farm buildings. The homeowners described a number of electrical malfunctions that occurred during periods of high electrical demand.

Interviews with the witnesses revealed that the family spent the majority of their time, including sleeping time, within the front half of the house. This was particularly apparent in relation to the son who spent up to 15 hours each day within his room as a result of his medical condition.

As part of the extensive period of investigation, additional members of the Para.Science investigation team, who were at all times unaware of the witness experiences and the results of the physical measurements , spent many hours in all the rooms within the house. This group of people, all experienced investigators, had not previously displayed any increased tendency toward the reporting of paranormal activity at other locations. All of them independently reported anomalous experiences when in the son's bedroom. Several reported anomalous experiences in other rooms at the front of the house. None reported anomalous experiences when in other parts of the property. These experiences were primarily visual hallucinations, a sense of presence and in one case an out of body experience. Also reported were numerous instances of sudden onset headaches whilst within the son's bedroom.

The homeowner commissioned an independent environmental EMF survey to be conducted by Bristol University Department of Human Environmental Studies.
This survey confirmed the authors' previous measurements and strengthened within our own minds the idea of an environmental causative mechanism in this case.
The Bristol survey showed that the high amplitude EMF was time linked to periods of the highest instances of reported anomalous experiences. The mother kept a detailed diary that showed herself to be the most frequent reportee of unusual experiences. The diary revealed that she also spent the greater part of each day within the front of the house. The father, whose work kept him out of the house for the majority of each day, was the only family member not to report any unusual phenomena. A daughter, whose bedroom was situated at the front of the house, had recently left home as a result of her own experiences. The second daughter, who slept at the rear of the house, reported comparatively few phenomena. It was not possible to fully interview the son due to his condition but his mother reported that he had had many unusual experiences within his bedroom.

The homeowner, based upon the Bristol survey and discussions with medical professionals, arranged for the electricity board to promptly replace the damaged cable. Subsequent measurements by the authors indicated that the environmental EMF within the house had fallen to levels considered to be normal. Witness interviews carried out subsequently, along with the continued diary, showed an immediate marked decrease in the instances of reported paranormal activity by the family and also an immediate improvement in the son's well being. Subsequent visits by the investigation team provided no further reports of any unusual phenomena within any part of this location.

The authors noted the similarity between this case and a previously published investigation report carried out by Persinger et al (2001) in which the occupants reported various paranormal phenomena when in the presence of an amplitude fluctuating supply frequency EMF. In that case, it was noted that increased instances of unusual experiences appeared to coincide with increased supply frequency EMF amplitude.
They suggested that transient, complex temporal patterns of power frequency magnetic fields generated within the building might be sufficient to evoke experiences within the brains of the individuals that resided therein.

Our own investigation noted that the occupants of the Cheshire farm reported strikingly similar paranormal phenomena within the presence of an abnormally high amplitude supply frequency EMF. However a number of significant differences indicated to us that the amplitude of the EMF may be an important factor toward determining which individuals are more likely to have experiences that they may report as being of a paranormal origin.

This ongoing investigation has led us to suggest that some individuals may be more likely to experience and report paranormal phenomena as a result of their prolonged exposure to a high amplitude domestic supply frequency EMF. Further, that even short-term exposure to high amplitude EMFs may be sufficient to induce paranormal experiences within some previously non-affected individuals.
The measurements additionally suggest that as the overall EMF amplitude increases, more individuals may be more likely to report unusual experiences.

References

Persinger, M.A., Koren, S.A. & O'Connor, R.P. (2001). Geophysical variables and behaviour: CIV. Power-frequency magnetic fields transients (5 microTesla) and reports of haunt experiences within an electronically dense house. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 92, 673-674.