When you're analysing a photograph for potential paranormal evidence, one of the first and most overlooked steps is checking the image file itself. The picture on the screen only tells part of the story. Hidden within every digital photograph is a layer of information called metadata. This data can't confirm whether something is paranormal, but it can help you understand the circumstances in which the image was created - and that can make the difference between an anomaly you can explain and one that deserves deeper scrutiny.

Metadata is the information that a camera automatically attaches to an image file at the moment the picture is taken. It usually includes technical details such as the shutter speed, ISO, focal length, camera make and model, and the date and time the photo was captured.

Some devices store far more than the basics. Smartphones include information about the software used to process the image,...