Our History

"We are not free, separate, and independent entities, but like links in a chain, and we could not by any means be what we are without those who went before us and showed us the way."

Thomas Mann

The ASUP was formed in New York City in 1972 by a group of journalists and academics who believed there had to be a better way to study things that go bump in the night. The founding members included Rick Moran a feature writer for CBS - Popular Magazine Group, Paul Hoffman of the New York Daily News, Peter Jordan, a psychology major with close ties to the Psychical Research Center at Duke University, Rita C. Allen, a graduate specialist in Information Science and Steve Kaplan, Ph.D., a curriculum specialist with the New York City Board of Education.

 Rick Moran (Photo taken by W. J. Karling                          Peter Jordan

   Steve Kaplan

ASUP was enlisted by the Psychical Research Center in Durham NC to investigate claims in the book The Amityville Horror - A true story! some time later, relying on their no-nonsense approach to documenting investigations in order to get to the bottom of that case. It was suggested by the author, Jay Anson, that demonic forces were confirmed at work by a PRF team. The ASUP  was involved in that case for over two years, and Moran later did a lecture at Duke University supporting the use of both journalistic and police techniques in the investigation of all Unexplained Phenomenon , which changed the nature of field investigation forever. That suggestion was supported by a long time friend and researcher, D. Scott Rogo, who had originally supported the idea that field investigations would be better left in the hands of lettered academics.       

Since that time, ASUP has done countless cases all over the continent and trained hundreds of investigators. Some of our most noteworthy cases include a study of the Mothman phenomenon and Bigfoot sightings as well as hundreds of lesser known cases. The group is currently being coordinated by Rick Moran, who calls the Dallas area home, although the group still makes house calls all over the United States and recently, Great Britain.

Our recent efforts include research in conjunction with Australian TV, The Travel Channel and The Learning Channel, doing one hour programs on past cases, as well as, radio talk shows including the TAPS radio program, Beyond Reality and countless magazines dealing with the world of the unseen. This web site is aimed at introducing both the seasoned professional and the general public to the history of the group, our training techniques and a plethora of material that might be helpful to fellow investigators, and includes a brief overview of our most noteworthy cases, our training procedures, equipment and basic membership information.

Some of the members of ASUP in 1977 including little Nicole Moran, Rick's daughter

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