The Journal of Transient Aerial Phenomena, Volume 4, No. 2, March 1986

This document is the March 1986 issue (Volume 4, No. 2) of 'The Journal of Transient Aerial Phenomena' (J-TAP), published by the British Unidentified Flying Object Research Association (BUFORA). The journal serves as a platform for the scientific study of unusual aerial phenomena. The editorial, written by S.J. Gamble, highlights the evolution of UFO research over the previous six years, noting a shift from assuming all UFOs are extraterrestrial spacecraft to a more nuanced approach that considers natural phenomena and psychological factors. A significant portion of the journal is dedicated to the 'Anamnesis' test, developed by psychologist Alexander Keul, which aims to assess witness reliability in UFO cases. The journal also features a report on a 1979 close encounter in Scotland involving a forester named Robert Taylor, including a detailed analysis of physical evidence (his damaged trousers) conducted by the Midlands UFO Research Organisation (MURO). Furthermore, the journal addresses the role of computer technology in UFO research, with Research Officer Paul Fuller discussing the potential for computerizing UFO report databases to improve research efficiency. The issue concludes with correspondence debating the 'PSI/UFO interface' and a new hypothesis regarding extraterrestrial life, alongside announcements of upcoming BUFORA lectures.