Ufology Gets Much Needed Attention

Many of you, I am sure, watched the Discovery Channel´s miniseries UFO´s Over Earth. I could have easily jumped on the bandwagon and supported my team, since I am a field investigator for the Mutual UFO Network, but I wanted time to digest what I saw and consider my feelings.

The perception of UFO investigations is of naive enthusiasts gathering to tell fantastical stories and give outrageous, often paranoid opinions. This perception of gullibility and amateurism casts all of Ufology in a bad light, and is far from reality.

The most appreciated aspect of the show was unfortunately partially left on the cutting room floor, but was still evident on the footage that made it to broadcast, which was the painstaking effort put into anomaly investigations by MUFON personnel.

When an investigator receives an assignment, it is given the most sober consideration. Most of the time, a story is conveyed with little to no corroboration. The investigator has to hone their interviewing skills to ferret out the honest observer, who might also have been affected emotionally or spiritually, from the hoaxer who might want attention or to thwart MUFON´s investigative ability by bogging hardworking investigators down with un-credible yarns.

Occasionally, a typical investigator will be assigned a case that presents multiple witnesses and possibly some photographs or video. This raises the credibility factor and requires a greater investment of time in checking and crosschecking facts. You see many of these cases on internet sites and places like YouTube. More is done within MUFON than just posting pictures and trying to raise the incredibility and excitement level. Such postings are generally amateurish in nature and usually result in little more than encouraging "enthusiasts" to tell more outrageous stories.

Once in a blue moon, though, you get the case every quality, serious investigator wants, the case with trace evidence. Trace evidence is that evidence left in the aftermath of a sighting. This evidence can be in the form of broken tree limbs, impressions left in the earth after a reported landing, physiological changes to surrounding flora, or burn marks from some sort of radiation exposure. There could also be physical evidence on the witness (es) as well, such as burns, skin discolorations, or evidence of recent surgical procedures the origins of which are unknown to the witness.

Photo and video evidence that is very detailed, with visible points of reference to determine size, elevation, direction of travel and speed, are not poorly illuminated or taken from too distant a vantage point can generate an interesting case, as well. With the advent of CGI, though, attention has to be paid to the integrity of the evidence and the witness, since this can have a negative effect on an investigation.

Trace evidence samples are taken by certified field investigators, properly packaged and catalogued, and sent to specialists utilized by MUFON for testing. These specialists are experts in their fields, often having a doctorate level education and are very qualified to render an opinion on the components or qualities of possibly anomalous materials.

Much of this was evident in the three episodes of UFO´s Over Earth. All three episodes showed a step-by-step investigation conducted in a reality-based format, as opposed to a recreation. Not present were the attempts at over-hype included in most UFO-related documentaries. It seems as if some shows depend on the hype to carry their ratings through the season. Also absent was a tendency some shows have at playing up cases that have already been successfully debunked by serious Ufologists.

All said, my impression of UFO´s Over Earth was extremely favorable. It displayed MUFON investigators in a good light, highlighting their professionalism and skill, as well as their dedication to finding the truth. Sorely missed were examples of the painstaking efforts and the time investment required of these investigators, who take time away from their families and friends without monetary compensation to further a field of study, most of which unfortunately found a home on the cutting room floor. I have a sincere hope that Discovery Channel will see the worth in converting this quality miniseries into a continuing series. The resulting positive effects on Ufology by allowing factual, quality investigations to be chronicled are much needed in a world where insincere and often idiotic attempts at UFO portrayal and sometimes hate-filled debunking are the norm.