Psychometry

A method of sensing or 'reading' from physical
objects the history of each object (and the
history of things and people associated with
these objects) which is hidden to ordinary
sensibility. The term was coined in the
mid-nineteenth century by Joseph R. Buchanan,
an American physiologist, who claimed it could
be used to measure the 'soul' of all things.
Buchanan further said that the past is
entombed in the present.

Researchers who followed Buchanan theorized
that objects retain imprints of the past and
their owners — variously called 'vibrations',
'psychic ether', and aura — that could be
picked up by sensitives. Psychometry is the
main technique used in psychic criminology.

Further info:
Psychometry I.
http://www.mystical-www.co.uk/psychics.htm#PCM
Psychometry II.
http://www.gla.ac.uk/~gbza22/psychometry.html
Psychometry and Parapsychology.
From: "Morgaine le Fey"
http://www.occultopedia.com
This information I got from my Wicca and Witchcraft Group