Code of Practice

M.A.R.A.
Merseyside Anomalies Research Association

Code of Practice for UFO/ Paranormal Investigators
Origin of the code of practice For a numbers of years there has been an increasing interest to the UFO and Paranormal phenomena, and as a result there has been a growth in the numbers of small individual local and regional groups that have been set up to investigate and research the activities of such phenomena. However, very few have demonstrated a strong structural set up and various techniques into investigating cases have been seen. It was necessary for the Merseyside Anomalies Research Association to adopt already developed regulations regarding the behaviour of an investigator and researcher during contact with the witnesses, the public, official bodies and the media. We have used a Code of Practice that was created by a number of people from a variety of organisations. The terms and agreements where discussed over a number of meetings and concluded with an official Code in April of 1982. Though it was predominantly set up by UFO organisations and individuals, I strongly felt that this Code should also include those who investigate the Paranormal, especially as there is evidence to show that the UFO phenomenon might be related to the Paranormal field. Therefore, with some slight alterations to the Code ( inclusion of the words "Paranormal" and "researchers" only ) a Code of Practice is now used and abided by all members of the Merseyside Anomalies Research Association who are active investigators and researchers as a means of protecting the Association, members, witnesses, public and official bodies who come into contact with the Association. Anthony Eccles MARA 1996

Code of Practice for UFO/ Paranormal Investigators

Origin of the code of practice

For a numbers of years there has been an increasing interest to the UFO and Paranormal phenomena, and as a result there has been a growth in the numbers of small individual local and regional groups that have been set up to investigate and research the activities of such phenomena. However, very few have demonstrated a strong structural set up and various techniques into investigating cases have been seen. It was necessary for the Merseyside Anomalies Research Association to adopt already developed regulations regarding the behaviour of an investigator and researcher during contact with the witnesses, the public, official bodies and the media.

We have used a Code of Practice that was created by a number of people from a variety of organisations. The terms and agreements where discussed over a number of meetings and concluded with an official Code in April of 1982.

Though it was predominantly set up by UFO organisations and individuals, I strongly felt that this Code should also include those who investigate the Paranormal, especially as there is evidence to show that the UFO phenomenon might be related to the Paranormal field. Therefore, with some slight alterations to the Code ( inclusion of the words "Paranormal" and "researchers" only ) a Code of Practice is now used and abided by all members of the Merseyside Anomalies Research Association who are active investigators and researchers as a means of protecting the Association, members, witnesses, public and official bodies who come into contact with the Association.

Anthony Eccles MARA 1996

Code of Practice
1. The Code is intended to regulate the investigation of UFO/ Paranormal phenomenon by groups and organisations, and by lone investigators and researchers 2. This Code of Practice is based on proposals discussed by representatives of leading national and local UFO organisations on 28th March, 25th April, lst June and 14th November 1981 and amended in April 2002 and October 2004 3. UFO/ Paranormal groups, organisations and lone investigators are equally invited to subscribe to the Code of Practice 4. Investigators who are members of, or acting under the auspices of, a UFO/Paranormal group or organisation which subscribes to the Code of Practice, must themselves subscribe to the Code 5. The MARA coordinators will administer the Code of Practice for MARA members CODE OF PRACTICE FOR UFO/ PARANORMAL INVESTIGATORS This Code of Practice consists of 5 sections: 1. Responsibility to the Witness 2 Responsibility to the Public 3. Responsibility to UFO/ Paranormal investigation and research 4. Practices which are prohibited as part of a MARA investigation 5 Probationary period for MARA members Section 1: Responsibility to the Witness 1.1. The identity of a witness to a UFO/ Paranormal event is CONFIDENTIAL and MUST not be disclosed unless written consent is obtained from the witness to release such information. ( Sect. 3 Para. 4 refers ) 1.2. The witness MUST be advised of the consequences which may arise if the information specified in clause 1.1 is released. 1.3. Insofar as is practical, all interviews shall be by prior appointment. 1.4. It is desirable that all interviews shall be conducted by two investigators, and in the event of the witness being a woman or child ( under 16 years ), that one of the investigators shall be female. 1.5. All requests by the witness ( or, in the case of a minor, a parent or other responsible person ) for a third party to be present during an interview MUST be honoured. 1.6. If the witness categorically refuses to co-operate in any way, or to meet another investigator, he or she MUST not be approached further, the option for farther contact resting with the witness. 1.7. An investigator MUST not enter or attempt to enter any private property without the permission of the owner, tenant (or occupier), or authorised agent. 1.8. Any damage to property caused by an investigator during the course of an investigation ( for which the investigator admits liability ), shall be made good by that investigator. 1.9. Specialised techniques, or equipment MUST not be used during the interviewing of a witness other than by the written consent of the witness and the use of any such aid, or aids, shall be restricted to interviews conducted by fully qualified practitioners. The use of hypnosis shall only be under the guidance of a medically qualified psychologist. 1.10. The witness is entitled to be informed of the conclusions reached if they so request. 1.11. Due consideration should always be given to the health and welfare of the witness. Section 2: Responsibility to the Public 2.1 All investigators MUST so far as is practicable, co-operate fully with the police and any other official body, particularly in circumstances which may affect national security. (Sect. 3 Para 4 refers ) 2.2 If, during any investigation, a situation is encountered which is, or is liable to become, dangerous to the general public, or result in damage to property, the investigator MUST without delay notify the police or other responsible body, and take all reasonable steps to protect public and property. No information gained during an interview shall be made available prematurely to the news media 2.3 The investigator shall not issue unsupported statements to the news media concerning any case. 2.4 Investigators are reminded that they have no special privilege, and may be required to disclose confidential information to the courts. Section 3 Responsibility to UFO/ Paranormal investigation and research 3.1 The free flow of information shall not be restricted for personal gain, where possible the investigator shall make data available promptly to accredited investigators, with due credit being given to the source of that information 3.2 All interviews regarding cases of high strangeness shall be electronically recorded unless the use of a recorder is objected to by the witness, ( or other responsible person in the case of a minor) 3.3 All reports should indicate the persons present during interviews, and their status 3.4 Any information, confidential because of factors inherent within this code, MUST not be made available in the EDITED report Only the EDITED report should be made available for external use ( Note - unless released by the witness, the witness's identity is confidential, and MUST not be included in the EDITED report To fully protect witness's in sensitive occupations, it may be desirable to restrict details of the time, place and circumstances of the incident to such UFO/ Paranormal researchers as "need to know" ) 3.5 An investigator should not discuss his personal theories with a witness during the course of an investigation February 1982 Section 4 Practices which are prohibited as part of a MARA investigation: 1st amendment November 2002 4.1 The following practices are prohibited as part of a MARA investigation; Exorcism, Magic Ritual, Séance, use of Ouja boards, alien contact channelling, Psychic healing, Psychic reading. Psychic healing or Psychic reading may only take place in a properly controlled experiment and charging for any such service to the public must not take place at a MARA event or investigation. Members are free to practice whatever they like outside of MARA, but these practices must not take place under the MARA banner, 4.2 The signing of this code of practice does not preclude an investigator from taking part in any of the above, but they must not be used as part of an investigation. 4.3 If an investigator publishes or tells the public that they are taking part in any of the prohibited practices, they must also state that they are not doing it as part of any MARA activity. 4.4 MARA investigators are prohibited from carrying out or advocating any type of hoax during an investigation, this includes hoaxing for the purposes of a test or a joke. Anyone committing a hoax will be suspended from MARA and will probably have their membership revoked. MARA reserves the right to publicise any hoax they uncover and name individuals involved in the hoax. Section 5 Probationary period for new members: 2nd amendment October 2004 5.1 All new members are subject to a probationary period of 6 months from the date of signing this code of practice after which time the MARA coordinators will decide whether the member can stay on, or if the new member must leave the group. 5.2 The probationary period is designed to protect the membership from potentially disruptive new members. The new member will not have to pass a test or examination to complete their probationary period, but they will be expected to conduct themselves with decorum and demonstrate that they are generally cooperative with the rest of the membership. Section 6 Dealing with disputes: 3rd amendment July 2005 6.1 If any member has a dispute with or feels in any way intimidated by any other member of the group, they should seek to resolve the problem at the earliest opportunity by directly talking to the member concerned. 6.2 If the problem is not resolved after talking to the member concerned, you should contact a coordinator(s) without delay to resolve the dispute. Do not let the dispute linger under any circumstances.

Code of Practice

1. The Code is intended to regulate the investigation of UFO/ Paranormal phenomenon by groups and organisations, and by lone investigators and researchers

2. This Code of Practice is based on proposals discussed by representatives of leading national and local UFO organisations on 28th March, 25th April, lst June and 14th November 1981 and amended in April 2002 and October 2004

3. UFO/ Paranormal groups, organisations and lone investigators are equally invited to subscribe to the Code of Practice

4. Investigators who are members of, or acting under the auspices of, a UFO/Paranormal group or organisation which subscribes to the Code of Practice, must themselves subscribe to the Code

5. The MARA coordinators will administer the Code of Practice for MARA members

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR UFO/ PARANORMAL INVESTIGATORS

This Code of Practice consists of 5 sections:

1. Responsibility to the Witness

2 Responsibility to the Public

3. Responsibility to UFO/ Paranormal investigation and research

4. Practices which are prohibited as part of a MARA investigation

5 Probationary period for MARA members

Section 1: Responsibility to the Witness

1.1. The identity of a witness to a UFO/ Paranormal event is CONFIDENTIAL and MUST not be disclosed unless written consent is obtained from the witness to release such information. ( Sect. 3 Para. 4 refers )

1.2. The witness MUST be advised of the consequences which may arise if the information specified in clause 1.1 is released.

1.3. Insofar as is practical, all interviews shall be by prior appointment.

1.4. It is desirable that all interviews shall be conducted by two investigators, and in the event of the witness being a woman or child ( under 16 years ), that one of the investigators shall be female.

1.5. All requests by the witness ( or, in the case of a minor, a parent or other responsible person ) for a third party to be present during an interview MUST be honoured.

1.6. If the witness categorically refuses to co-operate in any way, or to meet another investigator, he or she MUST not be approached further, the option for farther contact resting with the witness.

1.7. An investigator MUST not enter or attempt to enter any private property without the permission of the owner, tenant (or occupier), or authorised agent.

1.8. Any damage to property caused by an investigator during the course of an investigation ( for which the investigator admits liability ), shall be made good by that investigator.

1.9. Specialised techniques, or equipment MUST not be used during the interviewing of a witness other than by the written consent of the witness and the use of any such aid, or aids, shall be restricted to interviews conducted by fully qualified practitioners. The use of hypnosis shall only be under the guidance of a medically qualified psychologist.

1.10. The witness is entitled to be informed of the conclusions reached if they so request.

1.11. Due consideration should always be given to the health and welfare of the witness.

Section 2: Responsibility to the Public

2.1 All investigators MUST so far as is practicable, co-operate fully with the police and any other official body, particularly in circumstances which may affect national security. (Sect. 3 Para 4 refers )

2.2 If, during any investigation, a situation is encountered which is, or is liable to become, dangerous to the general public, or result in damage to property, the investigator MUST without delay notify the police or other responsible body, and take all reasonable steps to protect public and property. No information gained during an interview shall be made available prematurely to the news media

2.3 The investigator shall not issue unsupported statements to the news media concerning any case.

2.4 Investigators are reminded that they have no special privilege, and may be required to disclose confidential information to the courts.

Section 3 Responsibility to UFO/ Paranormal investigation and research

3.1 The free flow of information shall not be restricted for personal gain, where possible the investigator shall make data available promptly to accredited investigators, with due credit being given to the source of that information

3.2 All interviews regarding cases of high strangeness shall be electronically recorded unless the use of a recorder is objected to by the witness, ( or other responsible person in the case of a minor)

3.3 All reports should indicate the persons present during interviews, and their status

3.4 Any information, confidential because of factors inherent within this code, MUST not be made available in the EDITED report Only the EDITED report should be made available for external use ( Note - unless released by the witness, the witness's identity is confidential, and MUST not be included in the EDITED report To fully protect witness's in sensitive occupations, it may be desirable to restrict details of the time, place and circumstances of the incident to such UFO/ Paranormal researchers as "need to know" )

3.5 An investigator should not discuss his personal theories with a witness during the course of an investigation

February 1982

Section 4 Practices which are prohibited as part of a MARA investigation: 1st amendment November 2002

4.1 The following practices are prohibited as part of a MARA investigation;
Exorcism, Magic Ritual, Séance, use of Ouja boards, alien contact channelling, Psychic healing, Psychic reading. Psychic healing or Psychic reading may only take place in a properly controlled experiment and charging for any such service to the public must not take place at a MARA event or investigation. Members are free to practice whatever they like outside of MARA, but these practices must not take place under the MARA banner,

4.2 The signing of this code of practice does not preclude an investigator from taking part in any of the above, but they must not be used as part of an investigation.

4.3 If an investigator publishes or tells the public that they are taking part in any of the prohibited practices, they must also state that they are not doing it as part of any MARA activity.

4.4 MARA investigators are prohibited from carrying out or advocating any type of hoax during an investigation, this includes hoaxing for the purposes of a test or a joke. Anyone committing a hoax will be suspended from MARA and will probably have their membership revoked. MARA reserves the right to publicise any hoax they uncover and name individuals involved in the hoax.

Section 5 Probationary period for new members: 2nd amendment October 2004

5.1 All new members are subject to a probationary period of 6 months from the date of signing this code of practice after which time the MARA coordinators will decide whether the member can stay on, or if the new member must leave the group.

5.2 The probationary period is designed to protect the membership from potentially disruptive new members. The new member will not have to pass a test or examination to complete their probationary period, but they will be expected to conduct themselves with decorum and demonstrate that they are generally cooperative with the rest of the membership.

Section 6 Dealing with disputes: 3rd amendment July 2005

6.1 If any member has a dispute with or feels in any way intimidated by any other member of the group, they should seek to resolve the problem at the earliest opportunity by directly talking to the member concerned.

6.2 If the problem is not resolved after talking to the member concerned, you should contact a coordinator(s) without delay to resolve the dispute. Do not let the dispute linger under any circumstances.

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