The Singapore Theory

Most ghost investigators have used this theory whether they know the name for it or not. 

This theory is in use when an investigator creates an environment that the ghost might be familiar with in hopes of attracting them. The Singapore Theory is sometimes called the “Theory of Familiarization” or just simply, “Paranormal Stimuli.”

The use of Trigger Objects that make a connection to the deceased in some way is this theory in use. An example of this is when toys are used to attract child spirits. * 

Some investigators slam the use of this theory because it doesn’t produce repeatable results. But I have found it does help attract activity that then can be captured on video or on a digital voice recorder.

I give The Singapore Theory credit for creating one standard practice when it comes to investigations. 

Most ghost hunters today realize that it is vital to do research on the history of a place before they investigate it. Of course, this research which often includes interviews with witnesses etc. is not a guarantee that the investigator knows what they might encounter, but it does help. 

For instance, if it is believed the former owner of home haunts it --familiar items such as music can be played or a passage from a book might be read out loud upping the chances a spirit might respond.

Let me mention here--99 percent of the time the specific identity of a ghost cannot be verified. But using items from a different era can draw spirits out regardless.

Here are a couple of examples of how I have put this theory to good use in the past. 

A few years back a team and I investigated a home that was given in trust to a local university in my area. Frank Hibben (1910-2002) built this home and taught at this university. Hibben was an archaeologist, anthropologist, and author. But his passion in life was “big-game hunting” --over the years he set many world records. 

The rooms in his home are filled with hundreds of mounted African animal heads. One room even has a mounted elephant head with footstools made out of its legs. When I first walked in, I ironically felt that there might be more animal spirits in this home than human.

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I took one magazine that did a feature story on Hibben’s home and his passion for big-game hunting and used it during an EVP session. 

I mentioned his hunting feats and told him I was impressed with the quality of the taxidermy work. ** Our EMF’s went off, and we picked up a voice. But of course, I cannot verify this was Hibben responding.

Photo: Dave Dell

At another investigation, we put this theory into practice again. We investigated the St. James Hotel in Cimarron, New Mexico. On the second floor of this hotel in the front hall, there is a “poker room” where Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp, etc. played poker. 

While we did an EVP session in this room, we used the poker chips and cards we had brought to play a round of poker.

Nothing happened while we were in the room but when we left after midnight to go outside for a break, one of our cameras picked up the lamp swinging in this room. We had the window open for it was hot in the hotel--but there was not even a hint of a breeze that night. This video is highlighted in a post I wrote about the St. James here.

A good example of The Singapore Theory in use is during Civil War re-enactments. Of course, these groups are not trying to attract paranormal activity but often they do. When you put on a uniform from another era and re-create a battle--sometimes ghost soldiers that “lived it” show up.

One investigator who used this theory was investigating a medieval monastery in England. He dressed up as a monk and entered the old chapel in hopes of stirring up activity. He got more than he bargained for. He feels that a ghost of a real monk knew he was not the real deal. Invisible hands literally shoved him out of the chapel.

*  In another post I wrote about TriggerObjects.

** I did admire the taxidermy work--but I do not like the concept of displaying trophies from hunting.

Ghost Radar and EVP Questions

Recently several people have asked me how to get responses while using the Ghost Radar App. There is no tried and true formula that dictates what questions should be asked during investigations. But there are several things you can do to elicit responses from ghosts or spirits.

Always do background research so that when you do an EVP session with your Ghost Radar you can ask more meaningful questions. 

Also interview witnesses; this information helps to establish a connection to the ghosts or spirits that might be present. With this background knowledge you can then ask questions that are more specific.

In one store my group often investigates we know there is a resident sheriff. We know this protective spirit has been seen many times over the years standing or crouching in the loft above the store’s main room. His expression is not frightening but one rather of intense concentration—he appears to be keeping a careful eye on everything. 

One of my members a former policewomen visited the store several times before our most recent investigation—she made a point of mentioning she had something in common with the sheriff.

The night of the investigation she brought several trigger objects with her—her badge, tobacco etc. She climbed up in the loft where the sheriff is seen and was talking to other investigators below. 

At one point she was deciding out loud where she should place or “move” some of the objects. Below we were getting hits on our ghost radar, the word “dangerous” etc. 

Right after this one of our digital recorders picked up a deep, distinct male voice in the room agreeing where she should move the items right after her discussion with us about where to move the objects. 

I feel we got this clear response because she had already established a connection with this spirit. She was able to do this because of the research we had done about the location.

When asking EVP questions remember to keep them simple and to the point. For instant, ask questions that can be answered in one of two words. 

Ghosts have trouble communicating with spoken language so they most likely will make their presence known through a variety of ways, i.e., touch, feelings you get, cold spots, etc. 

If they do respond with spoken words it will only be a one to three word response or short phrase. 

This is why Ghost Radar is so effective, ghosts can use this app to generate a lot more words—this app makes it much easier for them to communicate with us. This is very useful because one thing I have learned is ghosts do want to communicate with the living.

As I mentioned in another post make sure you are using your Ghost Radar in an area that has activity. For instance, mine will state words in my home but they are random—my home is not active.  

On the other hand when I use it at an active location the words it comes up with are normally connected to something we have said or they are related to that specific location.

Happy Ghost Hunting!