The Access
Though the use of psychics and sensitives may expose them to criticism from the skeptics and more technologically minded investigators, the traditional investigators feel that it would be counter-productive to exclude sensitives from their cases.
Shielding the Sensitives
Many groups have developed procedures and protocols to ensure that any prior access to information about the case is concealed from the psychics and sensitives involved. Most never allow the sensitives to book locations or conduct the preinvestigation interviews.
If a sensitive booked the location or even sat in on an interview, it would compromise any future information provided by the psychic or sensitive. It is imperative that the sensitive does not know the facts underlying the case. This could compromise the entire investigation.
Therefore, many groups tell the sensitives nothing about the location until they are en route to the site. This protects the sensitive from any appearance of impropriety, especially in the case of famous haunted sites.
Did the Amityville Horror really happen?
According to recent revelations, the Lutzes — the family involved in the so-called “horror” — claim they made up the story “over many bottles of wine.” When the paranormal investigators involved in the case realized they had been the victims of a hoax, they were too fearful of damage to their reputations to publicize it. The investigators denied this.
On the Road Again
Maggie Florio says sensitives in her group are given only the sketchiest idea of where they are going, sometimes only knowing whether they are staying in the area or going farther away. The exact location is divulged after they are already on the road to the site. If the case sensitives do learn any information they shouldn't, they must immediately inform their team leader of it so there will be no issues later.
Sensitives know that if they are informed ahead of time about the destination, skeptics could easily make accusations that they had researched information about the site or the case. The team's goal is to bring an open and unbiased approach to the case, so it is vital to maintain the utmost integrity.
Credibility Protection
Some groups may even go so far as to cover up anything that may offer clues to the site's history or former occupants — house plaques, grave markers, historical signage, photos, and so on. This is yet another means of making sure the information gleaned by the psychic remains pure, unsullied, and uncontaminated by outside knowledge.
Also, sensitives are usually isolated during the set-up phase of an investigation, which often means they are left sitting in a vehicle while the equipment is set up and walk-throughs or interviews are done. These steps are not so extreme when you consider that the integrity of the entire investigation may be at stake.
