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THE INVESTIGATOR'S EDGE Part I
Mutual UFO Network - MUFONET-BBS Network
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MUTUAL UFO NETWORK (MUFON)
Dan Wright's Newsletter - August 28, 1989
THE INVESTIGATOR'S EDGE
___________________________
Witness integrity is a critical area to be covered in the
investigator's report, yet it is often the most difficult area to
assess. Few of us have much formal education in psychology, and even
that type of training might be insufficient in certain cases.
Much has been said and written about hoaxed claims, which nearly always
entail a dramatic close encounter story wherein the teller was the
intended subject of the intruder. Other indicators to look for
include:
(a) precise details expressed with confidence regarding measurements,
vehicle design and so forth,
(b) if multiple witnesses, total agreement on all aspects of the
original account,
(c) instant answers to questions posed,
(d) the conveyance of a message or indication of purpose by the alien
intelligence, and
(e) a desire for publicity by the reporting person. Some accounts are
genuine despite these appearances, but they do serve as caution
lights.
Exaggeration and embellishment are not the same and both must be
considered. The former overstates a descriptive element - proximity,
size, brightness, velocity and the like - that would normally be
perceived in an event of that type. If an object seen at dusk in a
populated area is estimated to have been thousands of feet in the air
yet a foot in diameter at arm's length, one would suspect an
exaggerated apparent size. [Otherwise, police phone lines would have
been jammed followed by headlines in the morning news.]
Embellishment, by contrast, adds elements or details thereof that were
not part of the actual observation. This might become evident when
comparing original statements made immediately after the incident (to
police, the investigator or someone else) with a later re-telling.
For example, the object was lost from view below the tree-line and (the
witness later deduces) landed. Perhaps a faint glow within the woods
is added in the re-telling as well.
Taking leave of the facts in either of these fashions might be quite
unintentional on the part of a person who both wants to impress you,
"the expert", in such matters. Thus, when questioned (s)he tends to
fill in any gaps in what was truly heard and seen. Still, if repeated
at various points of the account, the entire event may be called into
question.
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A "true believer" is readily identifiable by a large crystal adorning
his/her necklace, the flying saucer belt buckle, and the autographed
copy of Shirley MacLaine over the mantle. Seriously, this type of
individual tends to have just enough knowledge of the UFO subject to be
half convincing on the surface. Certainly, randomness being a factor
in the sighting annals, one of these "Children of the New Age" or just
plain UFOnut may have had a real experience. However, as the sign
reads on those windy mountain passes, proceed with extreme caution.
If a bookcase is in view, a quick scan of its contents is always in
order and may be very illuminating. In the recounting, these persons
often tend to digress into a series of previous nocturnal light
sightings (which sound suspiciously similar to airplanes, satellites
and planets) and to offer firm opinions on the origins, purposes and/or
lessons of alien visitation. For, at the heart of the true-believer
mentality is a fervent desire to be in contact with mysterious forces -
of the UFO variety or otherwise. By itself, this is harmless. But,
being a prisoner of one's passions, IFOs are easily transformed into
UFOs, and a genuine observation can trigger a delusion of meaningful
communication. Lest we succumb to the temptation of seeing an
abduction behind every bush, it bears reminding that there are still
lots of gullible folks out there with active imaginations and a need to
be part of the action.
Attached is a "Survey of UFO/Metaphysical Interests," a list of
questions which you and your members may find useful in sorting through
matters of witness integrity. It is intended for use in those iffy
cases, although the first five are suitable for general audiences.
Also, investigators should be cautioned not to raise such questions
until all other relevant information has been discussed.
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SURVEY OF UFO / METAPHYSICAL INTERESTS
Date _____________________ Witness _________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
1) What books have you read on the UFO subject? _______________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
2) Are you familiar with: Whitley Strieber? ____ Budd Hopkins? ____
Project Bluebook? ____ MJ-12? ____
3)
Have you found that tabloids (Enquirer, etc.) offer information on
UFO incidents that you can't get elsewhere? ____.
Do you have a favorite tabloid? ____.
____________________________________________________________________
4) Where do UFO's come from?___________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
5) Have you reached a conclusion as to why they are here? _____________
_______________________________________________________________________
6) Are particular kinds of people selected for UFO encounters? ________
_______________________________________________________________________
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7) Do you think psychic people have a better chance of seeing a UFO
than others? ____.
8) Would an astrologer be able to predict the likelihood of a UFO
encounter for a client? ____.
9) Do you feel you were destined to have an UFO experience? ____
Why? _______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
10) How can UFO's go so fast? __________________________________________
How can they just vanish into thin air? ____________________________
____________________________________________________________________
11) Do you have an impression of what an alien looks like? _____________
____________________________________________________________________
12) Did you see the movie: "E.T." ____. "Coccoon" ____. "Starman" ____
"Close Encounters of the Third Kind" ____.
Do you feel these portray what aliens are really like? _____________
13) Do you suspect that aliens live their lives much like we do? _______
14) Is it fair to assume that alien visitors mean us no harm? __________
Why do you feel that way? __________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
15)
If you could select a friend right now to be in the same
circumstance, would you want him or her to experience what you
did? ____ Why? ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
16) Have you ever tried a past-life regression? ____ What did you find
out? _______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
17) Have you attended a "channeling" session? _____
Were you impressed? ________________________________________________
18) Have you ever had an episode of being outside your body? ___________
What happened then? ________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
19) Is there a particular color that has a special meaning for you? ____
Why ________________________________________________________________
20)
Have you ever had "Tarot" cards read for you? ____ Did they turn
out to be accurate? ________________________________________________
21) Has anyone ever done "automatic writing" for you? ____ What did you
learn? _____________________________________________________________
22) What happens after this life is over? ______________________________
____________________________________________________________________
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MISC. __________________________________________________________________
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INVESTIGATOR ___________________________________________________________
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THE INVESTIGATOR'S EDGE Part II
5
In a recent case occurring in Florida (related below), two men standing
long a road were distracted by the sudden, excited barking of numerous
dogs. They then noticed bright aerial lights approaching and observed
a large anomalous vehicle.
On a windy night in March 1980, two women and their eight children
watched as a 12 - 15 - foot object of undefined shape within a glowing
aura approached and remained some 50 feet from their door, performing
feats and color changes over a 2-hour period. At various points, each
of three dogs was let outside, yet none appeared to notice the
intruder.
As noted by Allan Hendry "The UFO Handbook" (Doubleday, 1979), animals
do not share the technological fantasies and anticipations of humans.
Pets such as dogs and cats, moreover, possess more acute senses, most
notably hearing, and can detect emanations which we cannot. [Whether
an animal can detect microwaves, low-strength magnetic fields or minute
static charges is not known.] Consequently, if an animal reacts during
the reported observation, it is inferred that *something* was there to
be sensed.
The expectation that animal reactions are linked closely with UFOs is a
preconception in the consciousness of the American public. To state
the obvious, animals can't speak for themselves, so the interpretation
of their actions is left to the human witness. Cats have been reported
to arch their back, hair standing on end, at the sight of a strange
airborne vehicle. Of course, the sight of a strange cat would have
caused the same result. UFOs have long been linked to dogs howling,
barking, or cowering. Dogs likewise howl at the moon and bark at just
about anything, including the barking of other dogs. Some dogs cower
whenever an adult looks at them.
You should also keep in mind that pets are often closely attuned to -
and influenced by - the moods of their masters. Thus, if a person is
acting excitedly or fearfully at the perception of a UFO, the animals
in his/her presence may well exhibit a strong response also.
Hendry concludes this chapter of his excellent book with an
observation: "Clearly, while animals have different motives for
response to UFO and IFO stimuli than humans, the range is just as
complex and baffling to sort out."
We do seek to compile all the evidence available on animal reactions to
genuine UFOs. When milk or egg production drops afterward, when an
animal is injured or when its behavior is described as totally out of
character, something physical seemingly caused it. Animal reactions
will be included in our computerized records, sorting both by species
and type of reaction.
In Chapter VIII of the MUFON "Field Investigator's Manual", Ray Fowler
reminds us that a Form 4 should be completed (and mention of the
reaction included in the "Personal Account" section of the Form 1) for
all anecdotal evidence. If the animal displays symptoms of residual
radiation, a Form 10 should be completed and a radiological examination
conducted as part of the treatment administered. Where physical
evidence is apparent (e.g. an injury or significant loss of fur or
feathers, the animal should be photographed and a Form 6 filled out.)
A final point: The investigator should never ask a witness whether
animals were present. This is a leading question and only encourages
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the witness to speculate on behavior that may not have been otherwise
regarded as extraordinary. Reactions (or a lack of reaction) regarded
as unusual at the time will in all likelihood be volunteered by the
witness.
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THE INVESTIGATOR'S EDGE Part III
The witness has just concluded his account of a dramatic, prolonged
close encounter with an object of unusual shape, including exterior
trappings. You ask that he spend a few minutes in sketching the
vehicle's design. After a bit, he produces a two-dimensional,
asymmetrical scrawl and says sheepishly, "Never could draw."
The woman has described two identical entities in her bedroom that she
was permitted to inspect in a conscious awareness for long minutes.
Asked to reduce to paper what they looked like, she prepares with some
care a drawing that is nevertheless remindful of a 4-year-old's
rendering of Daddy.
Sound familiar? Conquering such a problem is really not at all
mysterious, as every major police department long ago discovered: An
artist is brought in to work with the witness to reconstruct the
villain's appearance.
For the limited purpose of devising an accurate rendering of a craft or
entity, the facilitator need not be either a professional artist nor
have formal MUFON membership (though the latter is certainly
preferred). At least some several million people have a marked ability
in this area and have taken some classes. Frankly, given the horrible
drawings that so typically accompany case reports, anyone with an
acumen for drawing would be appreciated and should be utilized.
The reality in our business - and in the art world generally - is that
vehicles and portraits involve fundamentally different skills. So,
consider the idea of having two persons available to press into duty.
In that CE-1s are far more commonly reported than CE-3s or CE-4s, a
person with *mechanical drawing* skill will likely be valuable more
often. For the occasional entity case, someone who has had an art
class in human anatomy would be the wiser selection. Certainly,
someone who has both types of abilities is ideal.
A few considerations in utilizing an artist: First, of course, the
person must realize that, in agreeing to offer this assistance, (s)he
may be called upon with no forewarning - even raised from his/her bed
on occasion. Second, the drawing is to be a faithful rendering of what
the witness describes, i.e. without artistic license. [Certainly,
questions of the witness along the way are both appropriate and
necessary.] And third, when the drawing is completed to the client's
satisfaction, it should be *signed and dated* by both the client and
artist. Naturally, the investigator must clarify in the case report
that the drawing was made with the assistance of the person named. For
the sake of objectivity, the witness should be asked to attempt a
drawing without assistance before the expert is brought to bear, and
that drawing, no matter how crude, should accompany the report.
It cannot be overemphasized that we as an organization fail to make
critical ties among UFO events occurring at different times and
locations because of a lack of adequate drawing skills at the ready.
Every college and most high schools in America have at least one
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instructor and several students able to fill this critical need.
Please make a concerted effort to find one or more to assist yourself -
and encourage your members to locate additional volunteer artists in
their own locales.
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THE INVESTIGATOR'S EDGE Part IV
Following a prolonged encounter with a glowing bell-shaped object on
her property, a woman rather suddenly began having precognitive
thoughts and dreams. Unfamiliar names popped into her mind, only to be
used later in the day by family members. She proceeded to the phone
seconds before it began ringing, knowing who was calling. In a vivid
dream, someone she knew was dying in a house fire, a fact borne out by
the next day's newspaper.
Soon after a lengthy encounter on their farm with small triangular-
based vehicles, a couple and their best friend (who also witnessed the
event) gathered one evening and shared a sense of dread that, for
whatever reason, they would not be getting together again. The next
evening, the husband was killed in an auto accident.
These two incidents are not taken from the Time-Life book series we've
all seen advertised on TV, but rather are from my personal case files.
Though we cannot begin to adequately explain such occurrences, in some
extended close-encounters situations, one or more of the witnesses are
left with some form of ESP. This aspect of UFO experiences has,
unfortunately, been rather neglected by the investigative community and
probably underreported.
In that a long, involved UFO encounter is likely to take multiple
interviews and weeks or months to sort out, an ESP/psychic awareness
may manifest itself if the investigator has the foresight to look for
evidence of same. After the basic facts of the aerial event have been
gathered and one is satisfied that the claim is genuine, it is proper
to ask (without mentioning anything specific) that the witness record
any feelings or unusual experiences considered out of place. If
something does present itself in the encounter's aftermath, the witness
is likely to ask those questions so common to CE episodes generally:
"Why me?" and "What does it mean?" If there is no indication that the
paranormal recountings are delusive, the investigator must:
(1) be honest in explaining our fundamental ignorance of the basis for
these effects,
(2) refrain from speculating on what might happen as a result,
(3) assure the person that, it most recorded cases, any paranormal
effects dissipate over time, and
(4) for lack of precise knowledge as to why, try to counsel the person
to accept it as an inadvertent gift left behind.
Perhaps most importantly, ensure an open line of communication after
the investigation is finished. Without any data to support the
contention, witnesses with this sort of potential would appear ideally
suited for repeat encounters at some future date.
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THE INVESTIGATOR'S EDGE Part V
8
Anyone who has hung around the subject for awhile is bound to hear
those familiar words and phrases which ought to raise an eyebrow of
doubt: "silent", "in an instant", "paralyzed", "glowing", "blinding"
and (my personal favorite) "disappeared". Let's examine these usages
that are indicative of how excited witnesses tell their stories on
first recounting.
- "Silent". Was the object in question genuinely without any sound? If
the witness had been a few feet directly underneath it on a still
night in the hinterland, would not even a decibel of sound have
noted?
In writing up the investigative summary, one must be very careful to
distinguish between (what are probably rare) incidents wherein,
considering all the physical factors, the vehicle was genuinely
silent in terms of human audio perception, as compared to cases in
which the witness, for whatever reason, was unable to detect the
actual sound generated by metallic parts. Most often, sheer distance
was the culprit. Elements in the environment -especially wind, both
as it rustles vegetation and crosses the percipient's ears - can
easily wipe out a low sound. Therefore, unless the circumstances
make it obvious that an anomalous object was really silent, the
correct assumption is that "the witness(es) did not perceive any
sound in connection with the object."
- "In an instant". How long is an instant, anyway? Presumably, it
splits a second, but how far? A common meteor may be said to have
passed beyond the witness' view in an instant, yet we can roughly
gauge its actual speed. "In no time," the vehicle was out of sight -
which might be said of an F-16 on a fly-over low to the ground.
Obviously, though, some time was involved, and a measurement using a
stopwatch can be taken. If the moment in question cannot be so
depicted, it may be fairer to convey in the write-up that the object
departed at a speed apparently beyond conventional abilities and/or
with no sense of acceleration.
- "Paralyzed (with fear)". Was the witness genuinely immobilized from
an external force? Alternately, was (s)he *psychologically*
"captivated", "mesmerized", or "transfixed" due to the unexpected
nature of the event? This area of close-encounter research still
evokes debate, largely because of imprecise questioning by the
investigator of the witness' actual state of mind during the event.
- "Glowing". As with Rudolph's nose, when we read this term we assume
a light source that is internal to the object in question. If the
twilight sun was reflecting off the object, the proper word is
"glinting". If the term "glowing" is used, it forces the physicist
and engineer to consider specific possibilities. Be careful with
this one.
-
"Blinding". Gosh, was the witness unable to perceive his/her
surroundings after the incident? As an example, humans cannot look at
the midday sun for more than a second or so without spots before our
eyes and tears forming. Furthermore, substantial physiological damage
would be done to the cornea in a matter of several seconds. Thus,
that serves as a benchmark. Precisely how long was the witness able
to look directly at the source, and what were the aftereffects. Most
often, "blinding" can be downgraded to "brilliant" or just "bright".
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- "Disappeared". Commonly coined, it is remarked, "Then, all of a
sudden it just 'disappeared' (from view)". So, what precisely
happened? Did the object molecularly dematerialize? Well, okay, we
have plenty of cases through the years that suggest this - although
one might argue a progression into the ultra-violet or infra-red
spectrum of electromagnetism. More likely in a given instance,
however, the witness intended simply to say that the object simply
moved beyond the horizon or otherwise out of view.
Proper investigating being a learned ability, with lots of pained
discoveries along the way, it is understandable that these kinds of
superlatives have gone unchallenged in previous cases. If we are to
make sense of our data, though, extreme care must be taken before
underscoring the witness statement on those tentative points. That's a
major reason why detailed questioning must follow the initial witness
account. And the investigator's summary must address these factors,
clarifying the intended meaning with sober rationale.
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THE INVESTIGATOR'S EDGE Part VI
On a balmy, starlit night in 1986, two men were engaged in fishing and
conversation in the midst of a northern Michigan lake. Suddenly, one
called the other's attention to a brilliant light approaching from the
north. For nearly two minutes, they were captivated by the source
passing high overhead on a straight-line course. Appearing basically
white at first, the "sparkling" object took on an amber tone before it
passed from view on the southern horizon.
Moments later and a hundred miles to the south, several adults and
teens witnessed the anomaly while lazing outside their cottage. They
observed orange-ish tones and noticed two or three smaller lights
"eject" from the main body, thereafter travelling in tight formation
with the sparkling "mothership".
As the objects passed to the west of Detroit and into Ohio, still
heading south, radio and TV stations were besieged with calls. Some
described the objects as no more than a thousand feet overhead. Those
in more remote, quiet locales attached a slight hissing sound to what
were now six or more small glowing objects in irregular formation. On
and on went the intruders, observed by thousands over Kentucky and
Tennessee.
Less than an hour after the initial sighting, a call was placed to
NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), located on Peterson
Air Force Base, Colorado. Without hesitation, the officer related the
details of a Soviet Soyuz rocket booster reentering the atmosphere over
American airspace.
Several points bear mention concerning reentries.
First, at any given ime, NORAD's height-finder radar is tracking
several _thousand_ objects that are in static or slowly decaying orbits
around the earth. These range from intact satellites to pieces of
debris as small as a softball. Excepting those retrieved via space
shuttle, with increasing frequency each will fall through the
atmosphere.
Second, our planet collides with common meteors by the ton on a daily
basis as well as in the form of annual meteor showers. [The latter are
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ice trails of ancient comets and range in size from a grain of sand to
small stone.] Comparatively, then, even a softball-sized hunk of metal
from an earlier exploded launch vehicle can create quite a stir as it
slowly disintegrates through the atmosphere.
Third, its burn is far longer than a typical shooting star also because
the angle of descent is not steep. On a clear night the sighting
duration is commonly about two minutes from horizon to horizon
(_usually_ east-to-west, though S-N and N-S also occur).
Fourth, this display evokes a variety of colors, depending on the
composition of the metal and especially the altitude (thus internal
heat generated) at the point it is observed. Initially, observers
generally see a whit light, followed by amber/orange, and possibly
other hues.
Fifth, very typically in a reentry, witnesses describe a holiday
"sparkler" (actually disintegration) effect, changing coloration (due
to the slowing speed and increasing atmospheric density) and, quite
often, a fragmenting of the main body (thus reports of a "mothership"
ejecting smaller "crafts").
Sixth, reentries are nearly always seen over wide expanses, often
encompassing a few or several states.
Seventh, the witnesses tend to grossly underestimate the object's
altitude (total disintegration usually occurs above 15,000 feet) and
overestimate its actual size.
Eighth, the anomaly is (logically) always said to be traveling in a
straight and horizontal path overhead. Even when fragments are
observed splitting from the main body, they continue along the same
course (i.e. without an abrupt directional change).
Whenever these characteristics are present, it is proper (and usually
worthwhile) to contact Peterson AFB, asking for the public affairs
office. That person will contact the NORAD facility.
Being a bureaucrat myself and so suspicious about government agencies,
I present the inquiry simply: "We had an event this evening in (named
state(s)). Did NORAD record a reentry?" That is, the time,
directional course and duration should not be offered; let them do the
corroborating. If in reality the nocturnal light was a reentry, you
will probably be given much detail (the particular space launch and
date, moment the debris first entered the atmosphere, duration of the
burn, and area where it was presumed to flame out).
There are two types of events for which you will _not_ likely receive a
helpful reply. One would entail secret military testing in space (e.g.
SDI target practice). The other would be a genuine UFO event. Either
claimed ignorance or a "can neither confirm nor deny" response is
likely in those situations. Since it could be either, however,
reticence to answer your questions does not necessarily imply an
anomaly.
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THE INVESTIGATOR'S EDGE Part VII
There are an estimated 100 million cameras of all types in the hands of
the American public. And so there is a grain of validity to the charge
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by UFO skeptics that, if our claims are valid, then more clear photos
ought to surface.
Countering this claim to some extent is the fact that most people own a
fixed-focus camera, don't know much at all about photography and, if
the camera is handy at the crucial moment, usually have slow (100 or
200 ISO) film inserted for daylight shots.
Further, the great majority of camera owners don't realize that even
the best flash attachment is useful only up to about 40 feet. No
doubt, photography professionals smile on New year's night when tens of
thousands of flashes are seen in the stands during half-time of the
Orange Bowl football game. Another "flash" of ignorance occurred on a
summer night in 1989 in Gulf Breeze, Florida. Two young women followed
a disc-shaped object near the Pensacola Bay. When it suddenly darted
in front of their car, the rider grabbed her camera and snapped a
picture - with the flash on. What they received back from the
processor was a massive white reflection on the film from the flash
bouncing off the inside of the windshield.
Occasionally, as in the situation of repeated events in the same
locale, you or the witness may have a camera at the ready. In that
instance, keep the following in mind:
1. If at all possible, employ a 35 mm camera, as the images on film are
likely to be sharper and the background in better perspective.
Inexpensive "instamatic" cameras tend to condense the actual
distances of structures and terrain in the view-finder. Unless the
person is quite adept with the instrument, it is best to leave it on
the all-automatic setting, allowing the camera to determine distance
and focus.
2. Presuming dark or nearly dark conditions, use film with a high ISO
(formerly ASA) rating - at least 400. Film with an ISO of 1000 or
1600 is exclusively for low light.
3. With high-ISO film, the camera is more sensitive to motion, most
importantly from the photographers own hands. One way to eliminate
that inadvertent motion is to use a tripod. However, as we all know
too well, genuinely anomalous objects tend to remain in one location
only momentarily. So, setting up a tripod is usually impractical.
In it's absence, one can minimize the motion by bracing the camera
against something handy - a car roof, fence post, even the shoulder
of a fellow witness.
4. Before the expected event, take a few shots of the area as a
control. These can assist in the later analysis as well as argue
against any claim that the anomalous image in question was hoaxed.
5. Take more than one photograph. If the light/object is moving, shoot
at least once with the camera motionless, then also while panning
the object (moving the camera to keep the image in the view-finder).
6. If at all possible, capture some fixed structure (e.g. part of a
building, a utility pole or tree limb) in the foreground. This
greatly assists the analytical effort. If the background consists
only of sky, it is virtually impossible to determine the objects
size and distance from the photographic image.
7. Afterward, locate the precise spot where the photographer stood.
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Then, carefully measure the distance from that spot to the point(s)
of the fixed structure(s) shown in each frame.
8. With the witness' assistance, complete a MUFON form 8, "Photographic
Cases". The camera model, it's inherent capacities and that of any
accessories, as well as the type of film is critical to document for
meaningful analysis.
9.
If the photo/videotape was shot at night, take daylight photos of
the same scene while standing at the original spot of the witness.
10. Obtain the print(s) and especially the negative(s) from the witness,
ensuring that all originals will be returned unharmed.
11. Forward the original photo materials along with the Form 8 and your
case report to International case director Walt Andrus. He will
forward the film/tape to Dr. Bruce Maccabee or another party
appropriate. Copies of all should be sent here for preliminary
evaluation.
By the way, keep a camera loaded at all times. You never know...
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THE INVESTIGATOR'S EDGE Part VIII
[Note: This edition of the "Investigator's Edge" is from the January,
1991 issue of "GEORGIA SKYWATCH", published by GEORGIA-MUFON.]
GENERAL
---------
Things to keep in mind while doing investigations
---------------------------------------------------
AIRCRAFT: Have a minimum of three non-flashing running lights; one on
each wing tip and one at the rear. Right wing running light is green,
left wing running light is red, and the rear running light is white.
[Note: many aircraft also have two strobe lights, one mounted on top
and on mounted below the fuselage.] There must not be more than one
green running light. Blue is not used as a running light. Helicopters
have the same general running light configuration as light planes.
ATMOSPHERIC TURBULENCE: Can cause an object (that is near the horizon)
to look distorted and magnified.
AUTOKINETIC MOTION: Eye movement can cause the witness to think a
stationary light or object is moving when in fact it is not. Lining
the target up with two other stationary reference points can help to
determine whether in fact the object is moving. When a witness says
the light was moving in jerky motions--side to side and up and down--
suspect the witness is looking at a star.
BALL LIGHTENING: Appears hazy or solid, spherical, oval or rod shape.
Colors range from red-white with orange being the most common. It can
hover, go less than 5 mph or up to 60 mph. It emits a hissing sound
and when it explodes an odor of sulfa or ozone is present. It can
appear after lightening strikes the ground or in midair. Ball
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lightening almost always appears during a thunderstorm.
DIFFERENT OBJECTIVES: UFO investigators are looking very hard for
consistent groups of facts, while UFO witnesses are looking for support
and counseling. These are two very different objectives and can be the
source of conflict between the witness and the investigator. The wise
investigator will keep this in mind when dealing with witnesses.
DISTANCE: Most witnesses underestimate the actual distance from the
observation point to the object.
ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE: Electromagnetic interference that can
cause an automobile's engine to stall and can interrupt the operation
of other electrical devices has sometimes been linked to UFO sighting
reports. Such occurances are not limited to gasoline engines. Diesel
engines such as found in trucks, boats, trains, and bulldozers have
also been affected. Similar reports on airplane engines and radar
equipment have also been reported.
INVESTIGATOR'S DUTY TO THE WITNESS: The UFO investigator must
subordinate his or her need to collect UFO information to the needs and
interests of the witness. The health and well-being of the witness
must ALWAYS come before the collection of UFO evidence and proof.
INTERPRETATION OF WITNESS TESTIMONY: The interpretation of both free
and regressed witness narratives is BEST acomplished by behavioral
psychologists and other professionals skilled in the process.
FEELINGS REPORTED BY WITNESSES: Feelings reported by witnesses
include:
(A) Being watched
(B) Looking me over
(C) Feeling of being observed
(D) Feeling of fear
(E) Feeling of anger
(F) It was a beautiful experience
(G) Felt happy when it happened
(H) Felt object responded to witness
(I) Felt the object was trying to communicate with witness
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: The number of witness reports which suggest
aliens are interested in observing or manipulating the witness's sexual
organs and/or otherwise conducting gynecological examinations of the
witness appears to be far less than would be euggested by popular
reports. More often, witnesses report examination of their heads.
HIGH STRANGENESS: When a large number of witness narratives are
examined, it quickly becomes obvious that the witness experience is
very complicated and full of unknowns. The vast majority of witness
accounts describe perceptions and experiences far stranger than any
reported by mainstream abduction researchers. Do not rule out what a
witness tells you because it has a high strangeness level. Because we
do not know what is true, we must not edit testimony or it becomes
absolutely worthless. When reporting witness testimony, do not try to
make it seem credible and believable. Rather, expose it as it really
is. Unless we do this we have no chance at all of getting at the
truth.
HYPNOSIS: Information from a regressed subject is sometimes used in the
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context of other evidence, but it is not itself evidence. Because
regressed testimony of UFO witnesses cannot currently by confirmed by
hard facts, there remains enormous difficulty with trying to use
hypnotized testimony as evidence of real events, even when that
testimony agrees in particulars among a group of unconnected witnesses.
The primary value of hypnosis is as a counseling device. It is
recommended that nobody except a professionally trained hypnotist -
preferably one with the credentials of a health professional -
hypnotize any UFO witness for any reason, and then only for therapeutic
purposes.
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The Investigator's Edge Part IX
WHAT'S MY TRAFFIC?
By Ken Spencer
January 27, 1991
Civilian aircraft are directed and guided through the skies over the
United States from take-off to landing by way of an extremely
sophisticated air traffic control system. Much of this system is
supported with a network of air traffic control facilities under the
auspices of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Here in
Colorado, an airliner departing from Denver can expect to be in
communications with several facilities during the course of its flight.
These air traffic control facilities perform several functions, not the
least of which is to assist the pilot in maintaining a safe clearance
between other aircraft. The job for both the air traffic controller
and the pilot is usually made easier and safer when radar is available.
Radar, however, is not a full proof system and by no stretch of the
imagination guarantees a pilot or a controller that a vehicle, known or
unknown can be identified.
In order to acquire a better understanding of just what I mean, let's
take a brief minute to educate ourselves about radar. Radar, an acronym
from a term originating during World War II, is short for radio
detection and ranging. It's an electronic system by which radio waves
are bounced off of an object in order to determine its existence and to
locate its position in relation to other objects. The radio waves that
are transmitted by a radar antenna, when bounced off of an object such
as an aircraft are returned to the antenna and through electronic
technology "painted" on a cathode ray tube. Unfortunately, target
detection is often hampered by "clutter" which is picked up on the
radar screen. This "clutter" can be raindrops generated by a
thunderstorm, back-scatter from the ground, or even flocks of birds.
In order for an air traffic controller to perform his job and detect
aircraft more effectively, radar engineers have designed a means by
which the "clutter" can be suppressed. Suppressing this "clutter"
unfortunately also affects the ability of a controller to see targets
on the radar screen. Further advancements in radar technology as well
as a necessity to provide more positive identification of aircraft has
required that the air traffic system be modified. This modification
has meant that aircraft flying in most types of controlled airspace are
required by the FAA to have a device which transmits an assigned
identification code and altitude information. This device is called a
transponder.
If you paid a visit to the Denver Center, which is located in Longmont,
Colorado, you would have a first hand opportunity to experience how
15
traffic is identified and controlled within the more than 200,000
square mile area under the facility's jurisdiction. An aircraft
departing the Denver Stapleton airport would enter the airspace
controlled by Denver Center shortly after take-off. Through electronic
technology, the aircraft is painted as a target on a cathode ray tube
used by the controller. From each symbol he is able to determine the
aircraft identification (United 200, Delta 100 etc.), the altitude of
the aircraft, and a multitude of other data to assist him with his job.
If you were to listen in on his or her conversation, you might hear the
pilot's transmission: "Denver Center this is American 3375 at flight
level three seven zero (37,000 feet), I have high speed traffic at my 3
o'clock position (to the right of the aircraft) approximately 5 miles,
at my altitude, WHAT'S MY TRAFFIC ? " The controller would peer at the
scope, notice the American Airlines MD-80 symbol, but see nothing
resembling a blip or target anywhere near the aircraft. His response
would be: "American 3375, I have no traffic at your 3 o'clock position
". The response from the pilot might be: "Denver Center my traffic is
now at my 9 o'clock position, appears to be a black, odd shaped object
without any discernible markings moving at a high rate of speed. " The
controller might say: " American 3375, I have no traffic at your
9'o'clock position ".
With the seemingly endless amount of information available to the air
traffic controller, you would think that a situation like this might
not be possible. However, this occurs more often than one might think.
The target viewed on the CRT at Denver Center is computerized video
data and not raw radar. The information is gathered from several radar
antennas scattered throughout the state of Colorado and fed into a
central computer. It is then displayed as a target symbol on the CRT.
If an unidentified aircraft, such as one without a transponder, or one
using stealth technology wanders into controlled airspace, a controller
may not pick the aircraft up on his scope. There are several reports
where aircraft have penetrated controlled airspace without notifying
the controlling agency. Aircraft of unknown origin, believe it or not,
moving at high rates of speed, maneuvering in a manner not readily
associated with anything known to man have been seen by pilots without
the benefit of radar identification. In fact, Denver Center recently
(December 29, 1990) contacted Colorado MUFON regarding a similar
incident reported by a pilot in the airspace above Colorado.
We all share the same interest and continue to search for a solution to
the UFO enigma. In this instance, we were contacted by a government
agency. However, for every incident where government support is freely
provided, there are many situations where it is not. This is generally
the result of preserving confidentiality, or as a controller recently
indicated to me, not being free to release information because of
government policy. Never the less, field investigators must pursue
every reasonable avenue to gather and document whatever he or she
learned for inclusion in the case report and, for the record.
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Note - This article is a slightly expanded and modified version of an
article appearing in the "Colorado MUFON News" , November/December 1990
issue. Also appearing in the same issue is a summary of the incident
which is referred to in this article regarding a daytime sighting made
by an airline pilot over southern Colorado.
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THE INVESTIGATOR'S EDGE Part X
16
AIRCRAFT LIGHTS: An Explanation
By Ken Spencer, March 2, 1991
Aircraft lights come in different sizes, shapes, and are used for
several different purposes. When first developed, aircraft lights
were designed to fulfill the same purpose as lights originally
installed on boats or ships. A sailor observing a ship moving on the
open waters at night found it difficult to determine its direction of
travel or its position relative to his own. In the interest of safety,
lights were located on the port side (left), starboard side (right),
and one at the stern (aft) end of the ship. The colors of the lights
were red, green and white respectively. That way an individual
observing the ship from a distance would be able to easily determine
how the ship was positioned relative to the individual and also
determine its direction of travel. The Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) require that aircraft have position or navigational lights
configured in the same manner. As the pilot faces forward in the
cockpit, he would find a green light on his right wing tip, a red light
on his left wing tip and a white light on the tail. These position
lights are required to be on for all operations, ground and flight,
between the hours of official sunset and sunrise.
Aside from the position or navigational lights, a variety of other
lights are found on aircraft which may be of interest to those of us
involved in the field of U.F.O. Investigations. Let's take a minute
to look at some of these lights, their location on an aircraft and the
situations under which they might be used. We need to bear in mind, as
we examine these lighting systems, that aircraft vary in size and type
of operation. We will therefore restrict our examination to the more
common lighting systems associated with conventional aircraft.
ANTICOLLISION LIGHTS
Anticollision lights are used primarily to assist in assuring that an
aircraft is readily seen while on the ground or in flight. These
lights are generally mounted in the wing tips not far from the position
lights. With most airline operated aircraft these lights are white and
are generally of the strobe variety. Another type of anticollision
light is red, (strobe, flashing, oscillating or rotating beacon type)
and is located on top and/or underneath the fuselage (main body
structure) of the aircraft. These lights are generally on for all
operations, ground and flight, day and night, below 18,000 feet. At
night these lights are kept on regardless of altitude.
LANDING LIGHTS
The aircraft landing lights are used for both illumination of the
landing/take-off area as well as for collision avoidance in flight.
Landing lights, depending on the size and type of aircraft, can be
mounted in a number of locations. They can be located in the left and
right leading edge of the wings, on the nose gear strut, or in some
cases are extended below the wings. In the case of most airline
operations these lights are generally on from the time a takeoff
clearance is issued until the aircraft reaches 18,000 feet or from
18,000 feet until the aircraft clears the runway after landing.
RUNWAY TURNOFF LIGHTS
Runway turnoff lights, sometimes referred to as taxi lights, visually
assist the pilot at night when maneuvering between the terminal and the
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runway. These lights are either mounted on the leading edge of the
wings, on the nose gear strut or some location which will provide
sufficient illumination in front of the aircraft. These lights are
rarely operated while the aircraft is in flight unless they are an
integral part of the landing light system or unless the pilot deems it
necessary for safety reasons (i.e. additional collision avoidance).
WING LIGHTS
In order to assist the pilot in viewing a section of the wing or engine
nacelles (engine enclosures), lights are flush mounted in the fuselage
and pointed outward in the appropriate direction. These lights would
be operated by the pilot when he wishes to inspect the wing section or
engine in the event of an abnormal situation such as icing or
structural damage.
LOGO LIGHTS
Marketing people are always looking for creative ways to advertise or
promote a product. With the airline industry, one such creative genius
led to the use of logo lights on aircraft. These lights are usually
mounted in the horizontal stabilizer (horizontal part of the tail)
pointing in the direction of the vertical stabilizer (vertical part of
the tail). Besides illuminating the logo on the tail of the aircraft,
the pilot uses the logo lights for an additional means of collision
avoidance. Most of the airlines require that the logo lights, if
installed and operational, be turned on continuously between sunset and
sunrise.
UTILITY LIGHTS
A number of other exterior lights may be installed on an aircraft such
as cargo door lights and emergency evacuation lights. The cargo door
lights illuminate the area around the cargo compartment and are
generally used to assist cargo/ramp agents in loading cargo into the
aircraft. The normal procedure is to extinguish these lights once the
cargo operation has been completed. Another set of lights, sometimes
called evacuation lights, are used to assist passengers during an
emergency evacuation from the aircraft. These are usually flush mounted
into the fuselage of the aircraft adjacent to a passenger door or
emergency exit. These lights are used to illuminate the evacuation
area and are generally set to automatically energize in the event of an
emergency.
As I indicated early on in this article, most of the light
configurations described here are applicable to conventional aircraft.
These lighting systems may vary slightly depending on the type of
aircraft, the manufacturer, and the kind of operating environment. If,
as an investigator, a witness observes a lighting system typical to
what was presented here, there is always the possibility that the
object may be an aircraft. On the other hand, we need to document, in
sufficient detail, the observation regardless of whether it coincides
with an aircraft lighting system or not, for the record.
[*Note: Ken is a contributing writer for the Colorado MUFON Newsletter,
MUFON Member and employed by a major airline at Denver International
Airport.]
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The Investigator's Edge Part XI
18
TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY
----------------------
By Robert J. Durrant
[Note: Mr. Durrant is a member and contributing writer for the New
Jersey MUFON Chapter, and current State Section Director for Mercer
County.]
Epilepsy...a chronic nervous disease, characterized by fits, occurring
at intervals and attended by convulsive motions of the muscles and loss
of consciousness. So says the dictionary, and the man-on-the-street
would agree.
The sort of epilepsy described above results from irregular electrical
functioning in those parts of the brain that control many of the
muscles. As the ability to monitor the brain's electrical activity
developed, it became obvious that other parts of the brain are
similarly prone to the haphazard currents that produce the physical,
convulsive type of epilepsy. Of particular interest to this discussion
is epilepsy of the temporal lobes of the brain. These areas control
what is often called the "higher functions" of the brain/mind. That
is, "..accessing declarative memory, the conscious or active recall of
not only what was learned but when and where it was acquired, and with
attributing personal meaning or significance to the constant stream of
sensory input."
What happens when this portion of the brain suffers an epileptic event?
The subject does not thrash about---the temporal lobe doesn't have any
connection with the muscles. Instead, he tends to have experiences
that could be called mystical or paranormal, a sense of a very special
purpose in life, or he imbues unusual events with great and unrealistic
meaning. These are not just vague and generalized feelings. Often they
are extremely intense and at times are described as "more real than
real."
In some cases this form of epilepsy is so vivid and frequent that a
formal psychiatric and neurological diagnosis of temporal lobe epilepsy
is possible. But the usual case seems to present only occasional
events. As with any medical condition, the person afflicted is not
likely to seek help unless the condition is painful or debilitating. A
positive diagnosis is possible, but a negative diagnosis is speculative
at best. In other words, it is not within the state of the art of
today's medical technology to say definitely that nay given patient
does not have temporal lobe epilepsy.
Whitley Strieber, author of Communion, Transformation, and Majestic,
underwent two series of tests for temporal lobe epilepsy. Both were
negative. Per the remarks above, and by his own admission, that still
leaves open the option that he does suffer from the condition. But it
would indicate that the condition occurs only sporadically, if at all.
It is certainly to Strieber's credit that he went to such lengths to
preclude a psychiatric foundation for his abduction experiences. In
addition to the general symptoms listed above, there exists a set of
quite intriguing specific symptoms of temporal lobe epilepsy. They are
as follows:
1. Paranormal/mystical experiences
2. Enhanced imaginings (especially from childhood)
3. Widening affect
4. Vestibular (floating, low frequency vibration) sensations
19
5. Anomalous smells
6. Intense episodes of personal meaning
With this set of symptoms in mind, I reviewed the three Strieber books
related to UFO's and abductions. My goal was to determine if there
exists in that body of writing a clearly repeated emphasis on these
topics. Communion and it's sequel Transformation can fairly be said to
be continuous reiterations of symptoms 1,2,3,4 (floating) and 6.
Majestic is a fictionalized rendering of the Roswell crash and it's
aftermath. It should be distinguished from the previous two books,
which are veridical and autobiographical. One would expect to find
that Majestic presents few, if any, of the temporal lobe symptoms.
This on the theory that the autobiographical abduction accounts were
produced subsequent to epileptic events, but that the deliberate
fiction writing would be free of the symptomology.
My analysis shows that most of the symptoms are present in greatly
reduced intensity in Majestic compared with the previous books. But
oddly, symptom 4 is there in complete form, with both floating as well
as low frequency vibrations, and so is symptom 5, which is nearly
absent in the earlier works, but here erupts repeatedly, indeed, so
common are references to these two symptoms in Majestic that I have
systematically culled them out of the text and listed them serially
below. Perhaps their concatenated, seemingly obsessive use is merely a
literary device. certainly Strieber is a master of the thriller, and I
will defer to him on this point, but it does seem strained and
unnatural to my eye. The simple interpretation of this analysis is
that Strieber is clearly suffering from temporal lobe epilepsy. As
with everything else in UFOlogy, and particularly the abduction
phenomenon, quick judgments are dangerous.
Several other optional interpretations are possible, and I will
summarize them here with the understanding that in future articles they
will be expanded. First, that most if not all persons who have close
encounters with UFO's suffer, among a variety of other physiological
effects, disruption of the electrical functions of the brain, including
the temporal lobe area. because of the peculiarities of the temporal
lobe, "flashbacks" can occur throughout life after the initial
triggering event. It is unlikely that monitoring of the electrical
pulses of the brain would reveal the irregularities associated with
clinical diagnosis of temporal lobe epilepsy. Second, it may be that
external means of controlling or communicating with the temporal lobe
regions is the means by which the aliens deal with abductees. In
addition to the positive communications or signals, the process may
well include generation of "noise" both during the communication and,
per the remarks above, long after the communications.
This option may seem absurdly speculative, but in fact it is based on
laboratory work that has been carried out for several years. Subjects
have had their temporal lobes excited by external electromagnetic
radiations, with the result that many of them experience visions and
sensations remarkably similar to the standard abduction. This will
also be covered in detail in future articles.
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THE INVESTIGATOR'S EDGE Part XII
HANGNAIL, MAYBE!
----------------
20
[Contributed by Georgia MUFON]
The next time you have one of those UFO sightings...in addition to
looking at the UFO...note the time...direction...and stick your arm out
straight forward toward the object with hand up fingers apart palm
outward. Those aliens will think your waving at them. In reality you
will be comparing the size of the craft to the size of your fingernails
and determining the azimuth of the craft by seeing how many
outstretched hands you can put between the horizon and the craft.
Your little finger nail isabout the size of an aspirin....and when
aimed at the moon will just about cover it. The size of your thumb
nail is twice that size. By knowing the distance from your eyes to
your outstretched hand (take a yard stick and measure it)...and
estimating the distance between you and the object...and using a little
trigonometry, it is possible for you to determine the size of the
object. Knowing the size of the object can be very helpful in the
field investigation to follow.
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