By Paul Ferguson PROOF Paranormal paul@proofparanormal.com        With today’s technology many investigators of the paranormal overlook the good old-fashioned ways to investigate. With infrared cameras, DVRs, EMF meters, and digital thermometers, who could blame them? Some techniques are still completely effective in today’s paranormal society. This article will go a little more in depth into one of those methods known as Trap Setting.        Trap setting is a technique that uses inanimate objects and other items to detect movement, or set a “Trap” for a potential entity. We will look at three major types of trap setting techniques: Inanimate Object Measurement, Motion Detection and Phenomenon Support.         Inanimate Object Measurement        For many years, paranormal phenomenon has involved the physical movement of objects. Inanimate Object Measurement tests these types of phenomenon. By using pennies traced on a paper, baby powder on a floor, or object placed with a video camera on it, Inanimate Object Measurement offers a great way to produce strong collaborative evidence.        The tracing technique involves taking an inanimate object placing it on a sheet of paper and tracing around it with pencil (or if not on paper, chalk or other removable markings). This allows the investigator to view very small changes in object placement. Whether setting tracing items in one particular area or placing them all over the investigation environment, make sure to check these every hour or so for movement of the object. Be careful of large human interferences. Any type of trap setting is difficult when you have many observers or other investigators that are unaware of your traps.        Another way to test movement is with a powdered substance being distributed across a surface. This is more difficult when working in environments that do not permit such things (museums, old buildings, wet outdoors, windy outdoors, and other hostile environments). The powder will supposedly capture any foot prints, finger prints, hand prints, or other movement of entities. It is best to do this sparingly as clean-up can be time consuming. It is best to use this type of technique when reports of foot steps are reported.        One more method of Inanimate Object Measurement is to place an inanimate object in front of a video camera or other type of surveillance device to see if the object moves. This is rarely a vital choice, unless it is used with Phenomenon Support which we will discuss later in this article. Motion Detection        Motion Detection is the most commonly used type of trap setting still used by investigators today; however, it is becoming increasingly rare. This type of trap setting involves using a motion detector or other motion device such as a bell or other device to detect motion of an entity.  A great way to use this technique is to hook-up a motion detector to a video or picture camera.  This will allow the camera to activate when motion is detected.  Again, this technique is difficult to implement when there are a large number of people roaming the investigation environment. Phenomenon Support        This type of trap setting is still widely used by the paranormal investigation community. Phenomenon Support uses the reported phenomenon to generate a response from the paranormal.        A great example of this happened during an investigation I was a part of at an Irish pub. The pub owner reported pool cues moving from one pool table to the other. We placed a camera on two pool tables, and set a cue on one table to see if the cue moved. This type of trap setting allows for the best result of phenomenon.        If a type of phenomenon only occurs when women are present, bring women. If an object is known to fly across the room, set the object in another place. The key of Phenomenon Support is to give as much cause to the paranormal as possible to move or generate that phenomenon.        Phenomenon Support trap setting is a great way to directly experience a reported phenomenon in an investigation. It also allows the best controlled testing other than scientific measurements and video.        I have mentioned a few trap setting techniques. It is important as technology gets more common to still maintain good scientific method and old manual and conventional techniques when investigating. Using technology as well as good old investigation techniques ensures the best chance of useful evidence. More evidence is just a trap away.                          If you would like to contact Paul you can email him at paul@proofparanormal.com