MUFON Field Investigator Program

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The Mutual UFO Network (MUFON)

Contents


Introduction

MUFON Field Investigators are the "boots on the ground" during any Ufological Investigation.

They are responsible for

  • interviewing witnesses,
  • gathering evidence (photos, videos, landing traces etc) and
  • reporting their findings to MUFON.

A good investigator will be skeptical during any investigation knowing that most reports are either misinterpretations of mundane events or outright hoaxes. It's the other reports that bear closer scrutiny.

Four Steps to Become a MUFON Field Investigator

Step 1:

If you have not already done so, please JOIN MUFON or RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP. Only current members in good standing (current membership dues paid) can be promoted to MUFON Field Investigator status.

Step 2:

Purchase a copy of the MUFON Field Investigator's manual at the MUFON Store. To ensure that only competent investigators conduct witness interviews, on-site investigations, and collateral contacts with public agencies and others, formal Field Investigator training is essential. The MUFON Field Investigator's Manual is the basic reference for training. All trainees must possess an original copy of the Manual and become completely familiar with its contents.

Step 3:

Self study the MUFON Field Investigator Manual or attend a training class conducted by your local chapter (if available). You can find your local chapter at THE STATE DIRECTORY MAP by clicking on your state. Then complete the open book MUFON Field Investigator's exam, a copy of which is included in the Field Investigator's manual. Send your completed exam for grading to the address listed on the exam. Also, please make sure you either email a professional portrait photo of yourself (.jpg format 448H X 336W pixels at 300dpi) to hq@mufon.com or by mail to MUFON, PO Box 279, Bellvue, CO 80512. Please include your name and MUFON ID #.

In order to be promoted to the position of Field Investigator, every member must achieve a favorable score on the MUFON Field Investigator's Exam (passing overall score of at least 80%). The purpose of administering the exam is to evaluate the individual's practical knowledge in respect to both potential UFO and IFO (identifiable flying object) reports from the public. The exam consists of one-hundred questions in twelve specific areas: light and optics; sound; electromagnetic properties; measurements; physical traces; photography; radio and radar; celestial objects; atmosphere and weather; conventional vehicles; witness reactions; and the recent history of UFO experiences.

Before engaging in actual investigation stemming from a UFO report, the Field Investigator Trainee needs a thorough grounding in the following areas:

• Investigative Ethics. Most importantly, the Trainee must understand and adhere to the tenet of anonymity (withholding witness identifiers from persons who are not part of the UFO report investigation or its evaluation within MUFON).

• Interviewing Methods. Preparation, controlling the setting, the sequence of obtaining a complete account, recognizing sensory perceptions, analyzing witness body language, active listening, interpreting the oral account, and drawing conclusions are all vitally important.

• Collateral Contacts. In a given circumstance, the Trainee must be aware of which public officials and/or others to contact in order to potentially resolve the report as a misperception, determine the person's reliability as a witness, or identify others who may have witnessed and reported the same event.

• Technical Background. A working knowledge should be conveyed to the Trainee on the subjects of weather anomalies, astronomy, conventional aircraft (especially lighting configurations), space satellites, photographic equipment and methods, and the soil sciences.

Step 4:

Although it is not required, it is highly recommended that once you pass your exam and achieve Field Investigator status that you accompany a current experienced MUFON Field Investigator on one or more live investigations before attempting an investigation on your own. Please contact your MUFON State Director to coordinate mentoring opportunities.

You can find your State Director's contact information at [1] (click on your state).

Field Investigator Resources

Investigator Report Forms (PDF)

General Cases Form 1

Computer Input Form 2

Electrical/Magnetic Cases Form 3

Animal Effects Cases Form 4

Psychological/Physiological Cases Form 5

Landing/Traces/Artifacts Cases Form 6

Entity Cases Form 7

Photographic Cases Form 8

Radar Cases Form 9

Residual Radiation Cases Form 10


MUFON Field Investigator Equipment

Edmund Scientific is a good source for much of the equipment listed below.

Necessary Equipment

Although the Investigator will generally not always employ all of the items in this list during any given investigation, such items, nevertheless, should be readily accessible to him/her when the need arises. Thus, it would be advantageous to store these items in a special box, suitcase or briefcase.

  • Identification Card
  • Questionnaire Forms
  • Compass (good quality)
  • Clipboard or 3-ring notebook area maps
  • Paper
  • Pencils, pen
  • Star finder
  • Camera and film
  • Sample containers (plastic bags)
  • Tape measure, Ruler
  • Flashlight (extra batteries)
  • Farmers Almanac
  • Magnifying Glass
  • String
  • Knife
  • Tweezers

Desirable Equipment

This second list contains items which are extremely helpful to the UFO investigator and should be added to his/her kit, if possible and practical.

  • Audio tape recorder and tape
  • Color chart
  • Elevation indicator
  • Arc indicator
  • Binoculars
  • Supply of tent stakes
  • Small garden trowel
  • Shovel
  • Boots
  • Disposable polyethylene glove

Optional Equipment

The items in this list are valuable tools for any UFO investigator. Some instruments require a trained specialist to operate correctly. Someone with a background in Chemistry or Physics would be a likely candidate for locating and operating a Scintillation Spectrometer. The contents of the Investigator's kits are dependent upon the capabilities and resources of the Network talent.

  • Geiger counter
  • Pocket spectroscope
  • Scintillation spectroscope
  • Magnetometer UFO radiometer
  • Camera with diffraction grating
  • Police radio monitor §
  • Video camera and videotape
  • Camera light meter
  • Camera tripod
  • Set of topographical maps
  • Set of aerial maps
  • Range finder

§ where legally permitted.

MUFON Case Management System

Login | Search | Latest 20 Reports | View the UFO Stalker Map of last 20 Reports

Other Resources

Satellite

Astronomical

Weather Data

MUFON Chief Investigators

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