Courthouse Ghost Analyzed

Click images for larger view.

Yesterday, I posted the video of what appears to be an apparition in a North Carolina courthouse. I decided to scrutinize the video more closely to determine if the ghostly woman did indeed have a logical explanation.

I started by comparing a frame of the security footage with a frame of the news crew footage. The frames are similar, with the news crew frame being slightly to the right of the security footage. And both frames do appear to show the image of what appears to be a woman. Interestingly, I also perceived a slight difference in the angle of the apparition relative to the camera location. The apparition in the news crew frame seems to be turned clockwise slightly. I came to this conclusion by comparing the distances between the shoulder and hand in the two frames.





Looking closely at the two images, it appears that the apparition may actually be the side of some type of large rectangular object, like a filing cabinet. The light coming through the reflection in the window illuminates the side of the object, as you would expect, leaving the front and top darker... This seems to be more apparent in the darker security cam frame. Also worth noting in this frame is the slightly offset, rectangular shape that apparition takes.


With the possibility that this is simply a reflection of a cabinet or a similar object, I decided that I needed to do what i could to re-create the office, in order to find what could be causing the reflection.

Unfortunately, There were only a handful of frames with which to create a composite image:


Initially, The large printer in the center of the room stuck out to me as being the likely cause of the reflection. But based on the actual reflected image, The apparition's relative location to the reflected window, I estimate that the apparition's reflected image would have originated several more feet closer to the window (perhaps resting against the wall). Unfortunately the images are of such poor quality that I cannot with absolute certainty say that the apparition is actually a reflected image. But I am leaning closer to that conclusion based on my analysis. At some point, further and more thorough research should be conducted at this location.

Courthouse Ghost Filmed by Newscrew

I stumbled upon this amazing video a while back. A courthouse security camera shows what appears to be the ghostly image of a woman. Even more remarkable, a news crew on location investigating the claim captures the apparition if full color! This, you have to see for yourself...

The problem with evidence

Whether it is ghosts, UFOs, or big foot; evidence generally falls in one of three categories. I think the general consensus of researchers and investigators will classify research that is readily explainable as the lowest rung of evidence. On the next rung we place evidence that is inconclusive. And finally, on the top rung, we have the proverbial smoking gun, or Holy Grail.
Many researchers embrace and then present inconclusive evidence within the grip of a seemingly satisfied optimism. This is a huge mistake in my opinion. Holding up inconclusive evidence as valid evidence simply because it hasn’t been debunked is a serious disservice to our collective causes. Yet across the web, countless people are doing just that.
In ghost hunter circles it can be orbs and mists. In the uflology community it may be space debris or reflections on an awkwardly angled aircraft. Regardless, the problem inconclusive evidence presents is clear. The quality of the evidence is often so poor that it can’t be debunked. So, while that picture of a UFO may, by definition, actually be a UFO, It may also be a bird, and airplane, or your aunt’s Grand Marquis.
Inconclusive evidence is in fact the worst evidence. It is more worthless than debunked evidence simply because it lends no meaningful credence or forward progress to the discussion. It serves only to further cloud and already muddled controversy.
That is why as investigators, it is our duty to make every effort to debunk out own research. Being able to objectively analyze and challenge our work will increase our credibility as researchers.

Astronauts Encounter UFOs over Earth; recorded by NASA

I find this simply fascinating, Youtube user LunaCognita has posted several video compilations of NASA archival footage that appears to show instances of astronauts witnessing and discussing UFOs near the orbiter vehicle.
Some of the clips are of poor resolution (evidenced by the fact that most filmed objects are indistinguishable from debris), and some of the enhancement techniques are questionable. However, the audio clips are the most compelling part of the videos... Take a few minutes to watch these clips.