
The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS), the pioneering organization that launched the modern ghost hunting phenomenon, remains highly active in the paranormal world, with its online presence evolving significantly in late 2024. While the original TAPS website served as the primary hub for years, the organization's digital footprint today is a dynamic network that links the original society's mission with the massive reach of the hit television show, Ghost Hunters, which is currently airing new investigations on Discovery+ and Travel Channel. This shift reflects the group's continued relevance, transitioning from a small, local organization to a global media brand while still maintaining its core mission of scientific paranormal investigation.
For fans and aspiring investigators seeking the most current information, the TAPS online ecosystem is the definitive source for the team's latest cases, merchandise, and public appearances. The current digital landscape for TAPS is less about a single, static website and more about a collection of highly-trafficked, up-to-date platforms, all stemming from the foundational work of co-founder Jason Hawes and his dedicated team of veteran investigators.
The Core Team: TAPS Investigators Biography and Profiles
The success of TAPS and the Ghost Hunters franchise rests on the shoulders of its dedicated, long-time investigators. Their biographies offer a glimpse into the people behind the equipment, highlighting their commitment to the scientific approach to the paranormal.
- Jason Hawes (Co-Founder, Lead Investigator)
- Born: December 27, 1971
- Hometown: Warwick, Rhode Island
- Background: Jason Hawes is a licensed plumber and co-founded TAPS in 1990 (with Grant Wilson joining in 1995). He is also an author, television producer, and host.
- Current Role: Lead Investigator and Executive Producer of the revived Ghost Hunters series.
- Fun Fact: He has been a driving force in keeping famous haunted locations, like the infamous Conjuring House, preserved as paranormal landmarks.
- Steve Gonsalves (Lead Investigator, Evidence Analyst)
- Born: October 23, 1975
- Hometown: New Bedford, Massachusetts
- Background: Steve Gonsalves is a highly respected paranormal investigator, producer, and media personality. He was a drummer in the hard-core metal band Perpetual Doom in his teens.
- Current Role: Lead Investigator and Evidence Analyst, known for his skeptical yet open-minded approach to classifying evidence.
- Dave Tango (Investigator, Tech Specialist)
- Role: Investigator and Evidence Analyst, known for his technical skills and on-the-ground investigation.
- Relationship to TAPS: He has worked with TAPS for many years and is a key member of the core investigation team.
- Fun Fact: A famous anecdote involves him accidentally throwing a flashlight through the TAPS van window during an early investigation.
- Shari DeBenedetti (Investigator)
- Role: Investigator and TAPS Member.
- Background: Shari befriended Jason Hawes many years ago at a paranormal event and has since become a core member of the televised team.
- Current Activity: She is a prominent figure in the new seasons of Ghost Hunters, actively participating in investigations alongside the original team.
The Current TAPS Digital Ecosystem: Where to Find 2024 Updates
The search for the "taps ghost hunters website" often leads fans to a fragmented, yet powerful, digital presence. As of late 2024, the TAPS organization leverages multiple platforms to share its mission, research, and entertainment value, moving beyond a single, static URL. This multi-platform approach ensures the information is always fresh and easily accessible to a modern audience.
1. The Official Show Hub (Discovery+ and Travel Channel)
The most important digital destination for TAPS’ current work is the official Ghost Hunters page on the Discovery+ streaming service and the Travel Channel website. This is where the team's 2024 investigations are featured, including new episodes where the TAPS team reunites to revisit chilling cases and investigate disturbing new haunts. The show's presence is the primary engine of TAPS' public-facing activity, showcasing their empirical approach using modern paranormal investigation techniques.
2. The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) Merchandise Store
While the original organizational website has changed hands and focus over the years, a key part of the current TAPS digital presence is the official merchandise store, found at a dedicated domain. This site offers official TAPS gear, including coffee mugs, journals, and apparel, allowing fans to directly support the organization's ongoing work and brand. The existence of this dedicated retail hub proves the TAPS brand remains commercially viable and actively managed.
3. The Original TAPS Website Legacy
The original TAPS website, which was once the central repository for case files, investigation reports, and affiliate group listings, has largely been superseded by the show's platforms. The organization's legacy, however, is maintained through various affiliated sites and fan wikis that reference the original TAPS URL (such as The-Atlantic-Paranormal-Society.com). While the original site may no longer be the source of *fresh* case reports, its historical significance is a testament to TAPS pioneering the scientific method in ghost hunting.
The TAPS Investigation Methodology and Equipment
A central pillar of the TAPS brand, and a key feature often highlighted across their digital platforms, is their commitment to a scientific and skeptical methodology. This approach is what differentiated them from other groups and formed the foundation of the Ghost Hunters show. This focus on empirical evidence provides significant topical authority to the TAPS brand.
Pioneering Investigation Techniques
TAPS' methodology is rooted in attempting to debunk any potential paranormal activity before declaring a location genuinely haunted. Their process typically involves:
- Client Interviews: Thoroughly documenting the client's experiences and history of the location.
- Environmental Analysis: Ruling out natural causes, such as structural issues, carbon monoxide, or electromagnetic fields (EMF) from faulty wiring.
- Controlled Investigation: Using specialized equipment in a controlled environment to gather measurable data.
Essential Ghost Hunting Equipment
The core team relies on a standardized kit of equipment, which has become iconic in the paranormal field:
- EVP Recorders: Used to capture Electronic Voice Phenomena—unexplained voices or sounds that are not audible to the human ear during the investigation.
- EMF Meters (Electromagnetic Field Meters): Used to measure fluctuations in the electromagnetic field, which TAPS hypothesizes may be linked to paranormal activity.
- Infrared (IR) and Thermal Cameras: Essential for capturing visual evidence in total darkness and identifying unexplained temperature anomalies (cold spots or heat signatures).
- Static and Digital Cameras: For documenting the environment and capturing photographic evidence of apparitions or anomalies.
This systematic approach, which TAPS pioneered, is a major reason why the organization continues to be viewed as a leader in the field, with their methods being replicated by local paranormal societies worldwide.
The Future of TAPS and Paranormal Investigation
The TAPS organization is not slowing down. With new episodes of Ghost Hunters airing in 2024 and beyond, the team continues to expand its digital and physical reach. The TAPS network also includes numerous affiliated and local paranormal societies, which carry on the TAPS tradition of free, non-profit investigation and client support.
The current online presence—a blend of television production, merchandise, and social media engagement—ensures that the legacy of Jason Hawes and TAPS remains relevant. Fans looking for the latest TAPS news should monitor the official Ghost Hunters show pages and the team members' personal social media accounts, as these are the most direct and up-to-date sources of information in the ever-evolving world of paranormal investigation.