Rules of Conduct
1. ESAPI will always obtain permission to be on a property. Permission will be obtained from the Property Owner when needed. A signed permission form will be available during each investigation.
2. Participants in an investigation will always carry proper ID. Proper ID is a driver's license and/or some kind of picture identification.
3. No alcohol or drugs are permitted before or during an investigation. (Even some over-the-counter medicines considered trivial like cough, cold, and allergy medicines can alter perception due to drowsiness, which can promote accidents in unfamiliar surroundings.) Anyone that the ESAPI team suspects of being under the influence of alcohol or consciousness altering drugs will be escorted from the investigation site. Should the suspect be a member of ESAPI, that member will be prohibited from attending any further investigations and their membership in ESAPI will be re-evaluated by the team.
4. ESAPI representatives will always check out a location before an investigation takes place. The location will be checked through a preliminary investigation or a simple walk-through of the premises.
5. Participants in an investigation will always treat team members, property owners, property owner's agents, clients, and their property with respect. Any persons attending an investigation who are disrespectful to owners, property, or other team members will be escorted from the investigation site and banned from further investigations.
6. Participants in an investigation will conduct themselves in a professional manner during the investigation. Any participants who do not conduct themselves in a professional manner will be escorted from the premises.
7. ESAPI team members will conduct investigations according to the guidelines set forth in Phases of Investigation.
8. Investigators will perform an equipment check prior to arriving at the investigation site. Investigators are expected to arrive at the investigation site with the batteries and electrical cords needed to operate their equipment.
9. Camera straps will be removed or secured in such a manner that they cannot cross in front of the camera lens when taking a photograph. Straps should be secured in such a manner that the camera can be held securely. Camera straps can appear as anomolies in photographs and the possibility of dropping one's camera is very high, especially when we're walking around in the dark or on unfamiliar ground.
10. Long hair is to be tied back or kept under a hat. Hair can appear as an anomoly when it comes in front of a camera lens.
11. No perfumes or colognes will be worn during investigations.
12. Photos and/or video taken in cold weather are done while being aware of one's breath. We take steps to ensure we don't snap a nice picture of our frozen breath.
13. Outside investigations will not be conducted during inclement weather. Inclement weather includes: snow, rain, fog, and heat waves.
14. Photographs are not taken indoors or out if there is obviously a problem with dust, pollen, or other particles in the air. If we can see it in the viewfinder, so can the camera.
15. No whispering is permitted during recording sessions.
16. During recording sessions, someone will be assigned to make notes of any external, natural noises. These include: trains passing by, motor vehicles, planes, dogs barking, etc.
17. Analog recorders must make use of an external microphone to eliminate noise from the recorder's internal gears.
18. When taking photographs, reflective surfaces are noted and avoided to the best of the investigators ability.
19. Investigators will always conduct their investigations in pairs. No investigation participant will be stationed alone or venture off alone.
20. Evidence will not be discussed with clients until ESAPI members have evaluated it as a team. Participants in an investigation will not discuss their personal opinions about the investigation with clients during the investigation.
21. A designated smoking area will be assigned. Anyone smoking outside the designated area will be escorted from the investigation site and may lose their right to participate in the next investigation
22. During the investigation of any location, ESAPI will determine how many persons are allowed to be present and who the participants will be. Anyone determined by the team to be disruptive will be asked to leave the premises. Should clients refuse to comply with ESAPI's requests regarding those present, the investigation will be terminated.
23. Photographs will not be taken of obviously moving objects or from obviously moving objects. Photographs will not be taken through windows or reflective surfaces.
24. All evidence collected by investigation participants will be shared with ESAPI and, possibly, posted on the ESAPI web site. Evidence may be used on personal web sites only if the fact that the investigation was conducted through ESAPI is acknowledged on the site where the evidence is posted.
25. Photographs are not to be tampered with; they must be presented in their original form. They may be enhanced by lightening, cropping or zooming a selection to enhance viewing and any alterations will be noted.