Parapsychological phenomenon, also called PSI PHENOMENON, is any of several types of events that cannot be accounted for by natural law or knowledge apparently acquired by other than usual sensory abilities. The discipline concerned with investigating such phenomena is called parapsychology. The Office of Scientific Investigation and Research - the O.S.I.R. - is a private organization that, among its many activities, scientifically explores incidents that 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. While the O.S.I.R. has traditionally preferred to remain low-profile. All details about cases are strictly confidential, for reasons ranging from possible violation of scientific protocol, to respect for the privacy of those affected by the phenomena or incidents. 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 curiosity on the subject 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.