The problem of coincidences

Over the last few years I’ve had a number of experiences which could easily have been reported as paranormal. So why didn’t I? Because I investigated the incidents at the time they took place and found natural causes. Many have been documented in this blog (for instance here or here or here, etc ).

I have come to the conclusion, based on m any such incidents, that a lot of paranormal reports are likely to be the result of coincidences with natural explanations. However, many actually remain unexplained which, to some people, equates to paranormal. So why is that and is there anything that can be done about it?

From my own observations the factors that come together to form coincidences quickly disperse, typically within minutes or even seconds! But it might be weeks or months before someone investigating such a report might turn up to examine the scene. I had the huge advantage of seeing things as they unfolded and being able to check stuff while it was still there. I also had some idea of what I was looking for. Typical witnesses will not, of course, have such advantages.

How can an investigator turning up weeks later hope to get the right answer? Short of obtaining CCTV of the incident all that the investigator usually has to go on is the witness’s memory. It is possible the witness might remember what else was going on at the time of the incident but it’s unlikely. It is a problem!