Biography: Edward Blackwelder
Edward Blackwelder, B.A., M.P.A.
Edward Blackwelder first became interested in "crime" while a senior in high school when he researched and wrote a term-paper entitled, Crime in America, for a civics class. This was in 1963. Professor Blackwelder maintained his fascination with the subject of "crime" and has continued his research on the topic, non-stop, ever since. This one high school term paper marks the actual beginning of what has become Criminology Research Project, Inc.
Professor Blackwlder holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Sociology and a Master's of Public Administration degree, concentrated in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement, from Jacksonville State University, a Certificate in Paralegal Studies from The University of Alabama and membership's in numerous professional organizations. He is a licensed and ordained minister and has continued his formal education by taking graduate and post-graduate classes at several other universities; Liberty University, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Nova-Southeastern University, Jacksonville State University and The University of Alabama. Professor Blackwelder was honored by the Alabama State Senate with a Resolution honoring his dedication and research in the social sciences and in working with inmate families in times of crisis. He also received an "honorary doctorate" for his work.
Professor Blackwelder taught Criminal Justice coursework at Gadsden State Community College and Political Science at St. Bernard College before taking on the task of writing the curriculum for, developing and directing a three concentration Criminal Justice degree program at Wallace State Community College and, later, developing Paralegal Studies and Fire Science degree programs.
While serving as Chairperson for the Departments of Political Science, Paralegal Studies, and Criminal Justice at Wallace State Community College, Professor Blackwelder continued his research and narrowed his "project" down to Mass, Spree, and Serial Murder, giving his students a "hands on" opportunity to travel with him in meeting and interviewing numerous infamous mass, spree, and serial murderers. It was during one of these interviews that serial murderer Ted Bundy made the statement, "society needs to be protected from people like me." Bundy also said, "I'm the most cold-blooded son of a bitch you will ever meet. I just loved to kill." Bundy's final statement during Professor Blackwelder's visit was, "I am cosmic and you would be better off if you were, too."
Professor Blackwelder has learned in dealing with serial murderers that, while a "typical" homicide unfolds during the course of a social event between two acquaintances on a weekend evening, serial homicides involve a wide range of deeply pathological behaviors that precede and follow the homicide; voyeurism, fetishism, necrophilia, etc. The Project makes every effort to offer a theoretically cogent view of serial murders and their etiology, legality, and public perceptions mediated through the mass media. Here, The Project calls upon sociology, psychology, geography, criminal justice, forensic science, psychoanalysis and criminology for a critical examination within the existing research on this phenomena within a phenomena.
Professor Blackwelder believed during his tenure as a professor and departmental chairperson, and continues to believe, that a well-rounded academic experience must include more than classroom lectures and required readings. He subscribes to the theory that hands on experience and formal education make for a well rounded professional.
Today, many former students contact Professor Blackwelder just to say "hi." Professor Blackwelder is pleased to find that many of his former students are now judges, politicians, attorneys, paralegals, professors, criminal justice professionals and regular "house wives." The Professor is quick to point out that the latter is probably the most difficult profession of them all!
The Project's telephone is constantly ringing with "collect" calls from infamous murderers throughout the United States. Professor and Mrs. Blackwelder are glad to accept these calls and include them in the overall research of a case. Maintaining current case information is a goal of Criminology Research Project, Inc.
During his academic tenure he worked with prosecution and defense attorneys, testifying on numerous occasions as an "expert witness" at the Circuit Court/Superior Court level in several states. In retirement, Professor Blackwelder no longer offers "expert witness" testimony but, never-the-less, offers The Project to those within the Social Science communities.
Professor Blackwelder has appeared on several television programs to discuss his Criminology research and is currently working as a "media consultant" for a major network who's senior producer is researching and writing a two-hour documentary on The Atlanta Child Murders that is expected to air the latter part of 2009. Equally, he has lectured extensively at numerous colleges and universities as a "guest lecturer," and continues to be in demand by various civic and professional organizations. Newspaper articles, too numerous to mention, have been written on Professor Blackwelder and his research, especially in the area of serial murder. All can be obtained from the Criminology Research Project, Inc. website.
According to the Professor, serial murderers and their methods of operation have been a fruitful topic for "true crime" writers and the producers of fictional and documentary programming on television and film, as well as the general public, especially in the past fifteen years. The problem with such wide spread interest, according to Professor Blackwelder, is the coming out of "experts" that give incorrect information which is not factual and cannot be documented. The Project does not distribute information that is not "cited" and makes every effort to dispel the information presented to the public by these so-called "experts" by providing only "documented" research.
Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1992, Professor Blackwelder retired from his academic duties but has maintained his research into various aspects of the social sciences, namely Criminology. He has more than 45 years of research most of which is now housed in the offices of The Project.
Professor Blackwelder's personal library looks like the "stacks" of a 1960's university library with case histories going back to the 1800's. He points out that his research first started when there were no personal or laptop computers and required a pen, legal pad and hours in the university library.
At the suggestion of a former student, Professor Blackwelder, with the assistance of his Paralegal wife, Shirley, decided to make his research available to the academic and professional communities and, in early 2009, formally created Criminology Research Project, Inc., as a non-profit research corporation. "The Project," as it is more commonly called, is available to undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students as well as college and university professors and those within a Social Science and legal discipline.
Realizing the high costs of attending a college or university, Professor Blackwelder and his wife decided to offer The Project research to interested parties at "no cost," realizing that no single source existed for students or professionals for up-to-date Social Science research. Research materials from The Project are available for the cost of postage and handling. When materials can be sent by "e-mail" or "fax" the charge is minimal. In extreme circumstances, research can be sent "over night delivery" at a slightly higher cost. The Blackwelders do not charge for the long hours they dedicate to their research and the preparation of it for the requesting party.
Today, students and journalists from numerous states have contacted The Project for Social Science research and word of it's existence continues to grow. Professionals from various disciplines within the Social Sciences have contacted Professor Blackwelder for research on topics relating to administrative problems such as police corruption, ineffective counsel, prosecutorial misconduct, judicial misconduct, illegal activity within college and professional sports, dealing with persons with mental illnesses and numerous other areas. The Project realizes that policy makers need to be provided not only with reasons for implementing policies but also with the numbers to justify their existence. The Project makes every effort to meet the requests of these policy makers. Many of these studies can be found on The Project website
Professor Blackwelder is quick to point out that his Paralegal wife does the legal oriented research through her thorough knowledge of the law with the assistance of the latest research tools currently available. The Project subscribes to West Law and LexisNexis, the two most popular, complete, and up-to-date legal research tools. The Project is able to make the latest Court decisions available within twenty-four hours of the Courts' decision being made public. When requested, legal "cites" are included to assist prosecutors and defense attorneys in preparing cases. Professor and Mrs. Blackwelder are quick to point out that all research is approached from a professional, non-biased,viewpoint, therefore The Project does not take a position as to the merits of a particular case or to the guilt or innocence of a specific defendant. A "let the chips fall where they may" approach is made in all research findings.
The Blackwelders, in addition to operating Criminology Research Project, Inc., enjoy sports, especially University of Alabama football, and have established The Blackwelder Family Memorial Endowed Scholarship at The University of Alabama in an effort to make a college education possible for deserving students. Shirley and Edward Blackwelder realize how vital a college education is and stand ready to assist serious minded students in obtaining their academic goals. The Blackwelder's maintain a close relationship with both Jacksonville State University and The University of Alabama System.
Realizing the importance of developing a strong professional reference base for The Project, a Board of Advisors was established to review and advise Professor and Mrs. Blackwelder on the various areas of the Social Sciences. This Board of Advisors is made up of psychiatrists, neurologists, a former United States Federal District Judge, several practicing attorneys, prosecutors, sitting judges, a former governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, a senate majority leader, social workers, professors from within the academic community, media representatives, university and corporate representatives, professional lay persons from throughout the nation and other individuals that have a proven serious and dedicated interest in the Social Sciences. The Project's Board of Advisors' receives a monthly up-date as well as periodic notifications of pending activities that are of importance to reaching the goals of The Project. Each member of the Board of Advisors plays a vital role in the The Projects goal of offering professional research therefore, the dedication of each Board member is vital and is highly respected. Critical analysis and input is encouraged by The Project and the members of the Board of Advisors have contributed greatly.
Public interest in "crime" being what it is,The Project does make its research and case studies available to the general public at a nominal fee. "True crime" writers and individuals interested in the phenomenon of "crime" have access to The Project but only on a "time available" basis.
Professor and Mrs. Blackwelder invite you to closely examine The Project's website in order to get an idea as to the comprehensive research and case materials currently available. Research by The Project is an on-going task, therefore additional research and case materials become available on a regular basis. Materials from leading experts are included in the research of The Project. Books written by the various experts are cited and can be purchased on-line. The Project will provide the ISBN number, title, author, publisher and year of publication. The Project will also give you a "rating" as to the quality and professionalism of the book.
Realizing that they cannot continue forever, Professor and Mrs. Blackwelder are currently making arrangements for their research to go to a college or university upon their death. It is their hope that The Project will continue to make itself available for many years to come. If their hopes become reality, the lives of these two dedicated professionals will not have been lived in vain.
The Blackwelders encourage you to spend time on the Criminology Research Project, Inc. website. It is their hope that, in doing so, you will come away with a better understanding of crime and will be able to separate fact from myth in an area that interests you.
Professor Blackwelder has ended many presentations by quoting an infamous serial murderer, Dr. H. H. Holmes; "I was born with the devil in me. I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than the poet can help the inspiration to sing."
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