Ben Hansen

Early Interest and FBI Career

Ben Hansen developed a fascination with UFOs and classified government projects from childhood, viewing himself as searching for a real-life X-Files. He channeled this interest into law enforcement, earning a Bachelor's degree in Sociology with an emphasis on abnormal psychology from the University of Utah. Before joining federal service, Hansen worked on the Utah County Sex Crimes Task Force investigating serious crimes and abuse. He then served as an FBI Special Agent for over six years, gaining formal investigative experience in federal crimes, national security details, and case management. His FBI background gave him training in interview methodology, evidence evaluation, and witness credibility assessment.

Transition to Paranormal Investigation Media

Drawing on both his formal investigative experience and childhood passion for the unexplained, Hansen transitioned to paranormal investigation media in the late 2000s. He became the primary investigator and host of Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files on Syfy (2010–2012), a program that took a methodical, skeptical approach to paranormal claims. Rather than credulously accepting anomalies, the show's approach—developed with Hansen—involved controlled recreation and experimentation: the team would attempt to reproduce alleged paranormal phenomena using conventional explanations, technical equipment, and staged scenarios. Only evidence that withstood systematic debunking attempts was presented as genuinely anomalous.

Hansen later appeared on the Travel Channel's Ghosts of Morgan City and expanded his UFO-focused investigations as the host of UFO Witness on Discovery+ (premiered January 2021), where he co-hosts with Melissa Tittl. The show compares patterns in Project Blue Book–era sightings to contemporary UFO reports, examining witness testimony and attempting to distinguish genuine anomalies from hoaxes or conventional phenomena.

UFO Investigation Methodology and Technical Expertise

Hansen has positioned himself as an industry leader in the application of night vision and thermal imaging technology to UFO research. He borrows and adapts experimental imaging techniques traditionally used in paranormal ghost investigation, adapting them for aerial phenomena documentation. His stated methodology emphasizes FBI-trained interview techniques to validate witness credibility, identify inconsistencies, and filter out hoaxers—a significant departure from uncritical acceptance that characterizes some UFO advocacy.

In lectures and media appearances, Hansen has emphasized that his FBI background informs the logistical management of investigation cases and the systematic gathering of information. He uses his training to distinguish between genuine anomalies, misidentifications of conventional objects (aircraft, balloons, drones), and deliberate hoaxes. This skeptical-but-open stance—treating UFO claims seriously while subjecting them to rigorous scrutiny—has made him a bridge figure between mainstream media audiences and UFO research communities.

Academic and Speaking Engagement

Beyond television, Hansen has written and spoken extensively on UFO phenomena and investigative methodology. A recent thesis paper completed at Georgetown University examined a hypothetical extraterrestrial contact scenario, exploring real-world psychological and social transformations such an event might trigger. He has keynoted major UFO conferences including the UFO Congress and Contact in the Desert, the largest UFO conference in North America, speaking on topics including "Profiling the Hoaxers" and methodology for identifying fraudulent claims.

Hansen holds additional certifications in piloting, scuba diving, and emergency response—technical skills relevant to field investigation and evidence documentation in varied environments.

Credibility and Impact

Unlike some UFO personalities who embrace fringe narratives uncritically, Hansen's approach emphasizes skepticism rooted in federal investigative training. His 15+ years in media, combined with legitimate FBI credentials, have made him a credible figure in mainstream discussions of UFO sightings. He appears regularly on podcasts and investigative media outlets discussing UAP (the current military term for UFO) and witness testimony validation.

In the post-2017 disclosure era—following revelations about military encounters like the USS Nimitz "Tic Tac" incident—Hansen's combination of former federal authority, technical expertise in imaging, and media platform has positioned him as a validator of anomalous phenomena claims while maintaining accountability to empirical scrutiny. His willingness to debunk false claims alongside investigating genuine anomalies has earned respect across skeptical and believer communities alike.