The Office of Scientific Investigation and Research

An Introduction

The Office of Scientific Investigation and Research - the O.S.I.R. - is a private organization that, among its many activities, scientifically explores incidents which might be paranormal in nature. These include such areas as: haunt and poltergeist phenomena, UFO encounters, cryptozoological phenomena, possessions, exorcisms, miracles, psi-related phenomena (including psychokinesis, precognition, altered states, near-death experiences and channeling), geophysical mysteries, astral projection, reincarnation and telepathy.

Referrals come to the O.S.I.R. from a privately-held list of universities, medical centers, law enforcement groups, physicians, clergy, government agencies and worldwide government response networks. These organizations are either unable to determine the cause and/or solution of an incident under their supervision, need more definitive insight or want assistance in enabling the subject to cope with the occurrence. While the general public cannot directly refer cases to the O.S.I.R., the organization is interested in hearing from Psi Factor viewers through e-mail (see O.S.I.R. home page).

For its investigations, the O.S.I.R. calls upon a network of nearly 300 people worldwide, each bringing unique expertise. They include scientists, professors and a variety of medical/health professionals such as physicians, psychiatrists and psychologists. The O.S.I.R. has two primary objectives in undertaking an investigation: The first is to collect and record scientific data concerning the phenomenon or situation. Of equal importance is the O.S.I.R.’s commitment to aid and counsel people affected by the incident in question.

Following a strict scientific protocol, the O.S.I.R. applies circumstantial, psychological, physiological and environmental analysis to each case. Their methods and technical support run the gamut, from state-of-the-art science to folklore and mystic philosophy. Some of these procedures are conducted at the actual site of the alleged paranormal situation, while others take place in the group’s lab facilities in Central California. Throughout their work, O.S.I.R. agents actively avoid revealing their personal opinions or influencing subjects, to avoid "the observer effect." Each investigation has a Case Manager in charge, with teams consisting of investigators, researchers and operatives. Following a comprehensive examination, approximately 60 to 70 percent of all reported situations result in a rational explanation: either circumstantial, psychological, physiological or environmental, or created as hoaxes. For the rest, the O.S.I.R. explores the possibility of other, non-traditional reasons.

While the O.S.I.R. has been in operation for a number of years, it has traditionally preferred to remain low-profile. All details about cases - from location of investigations to identities of people involved - are strictly confidential; the reasons range from the potential to violate scientific protocol to respect for the privacy of those affected by the phenomena or incidents. The organization’s visibility has been purposely limited to occasionally serving as experts to national television newscasts, news magazine programs, radio and selected newspapers and magazines. The organization finally agreed to release some of its closed files at the request of actor/writer/producer/musician Dan Aykroyd, a lifelong student of the paranormal who wanted to bring his personal interest to television and to those with similar interest. In Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal, fictional dramas have been woven from the essence of selected O.S.I.R. cases - making the series the only such dramatic anthology inspired by actual incidents.