Haunting Forces

“One of the major points that must be made clear and continually stressed to the witness is that “phantoms cannot hurt”. Provide details of some of the other ghost stories of which you have knowledge in order to confirm this conclusion and build it up in a witness’s mind. It is only when nervous characters are involved that any harm maybe caused, and that only mental. If the people affected show signs of psychological strain, then suggest that they have a chat with their doctor, but point out the logical argument that non‐tangible phantoms are obviously incapable of carrying out any physical action.“

This was the view of ghost hunter Andrew Green (1927-2004) in his book Ghost Hunting: A Practical Guide (1973)

In almost all cases of apparitions (as opposed to poltergeist cases where physical force is the defining aspect of phenomena) Green’s advice is correct. What are commonly reported as ‘ghosts’ exerting force are better understood as examples of poltergeist activity, originating with the living rather than discarnate presences (if they exist).

Physically powerful ghosts – popular in the Medieval period – seem to have largely vanished from the cultural beliefs of the Western World (see Appearances of the Dead (1982) by R.C. Finucane)  Nonetheless, in about 12% of hauntings witnesses report minor tactile experiences, though seldom as violent as the case  of a teenage boy in Hartlepool, England, supposedly ‘attacked by a ghost’  which made national news in July 2009. The original source was the Hartlepool Mail which under the startling headline, ‘Boy beaten up by ghost’ described how the victim, 13 year-old Danny Willkins, was set upon by an invisible assailant.

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