Dirk C. Gibson, Ph.D.
Ph.D., Indiana University, 1983  Office: Room 250, 505-277-2277	Associate Professor Mass Communication

Research:

Gibson is conducting essentially three seperate sets of serial murder communication studies. The first set focuses on the Jack the Ripper crimes and communication. A second type of study examines the rhetorical dimensions of serial murder cases. The mass communication and public relations aspects of serial killing are the third category of study. Fifteen of these studies have been submitted to date, with nine acceptances, including two books. In addition, a half-dozen new studies are in the early planning stages. Collaborators are welcome, and should make contact and express interest.

Sample Publications:

Books

• Serial Murder and Media Circuses. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, July 2006.

• Clues From Killers:  Serial Murder and Crime Scene Messages.  Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, October 2004.

• The Role of Communication in the Practice of Law.  Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1991.

• “Evaluation Report: FSIS Recall Notification and Industry Guidance,” Evaluation and Analysis Division, OPPDE, September, 1990. http:/www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/02-045N/EvalRpt.pdf.

• A Review of Recall Policies at the Food Safety & Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Washington, D. C.: United States Department of Agriculture, June 1, 2000.
        Volume I: Bibliographic Perspectives on Recall Practices.
        Volume II: Empirical Analysis of Contemporary Recall Practices.

Journal Articles & Book Chapters

• “Outer Space Tourism Public Relations Purposes, Practices and Problems,” In Press, Public Relations Quarterly.

• “The Product Recall Blame Game: Stereotypical Villains & Actual Recall Failure Factors,” In Michael B. Hinner, (Ed). Freiberger Beitrage zur interkulturellen und Wirtschafskommniukation: A Forum for General and Intercultural Business Communication. In press. Germany: Peter Lang Publications.

• “The B.T.K. Strangler vs. the Wichita Police Department: The Significance of Serial Murder Media Relations,” Public Relations Review. 32. (2006), 58-65.

• “The Relationship Between Serial Murder and the American Travel and Tourism Industry.” In press, Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing.

• “The Rhetorical Jack the Ripper, The American Criminal Justice Association, L.A.E. Journal. (2005), 24-28.

• “Serial Killer Public Relations Tactics,” Public Relations Quarterly. 50:1 (Winter, 2005), 11-18. With A. Suzanna Chavez.

• “The Ripper Correspondence: A Visual and NonVerbal Analysis,” Journal of Visual Literacy. 24:2 (Autumn, 2004), 227-40. With Tracy Krughoff.

• “Polygraph Keys Vs. Publicity: Serial Murder Public Relations,” Public Relations Quarterly. 49:2 (Spring, 2004),10-14. With A. Suzanna Chavez.

• “The Paradoxical Nature of Litigation Public Relations,” Public Relations Quarterly. 48:1 (Spring 2003), 32-4.

• “The Whitechapel Crimes As Public Relations,” Public Relations Quarterly. 47:4 (Winter 2002), 26-34.

• “Recalls of Body Parts: Problems and Solutions,” Public Relations Quarterly. 47:3 (Fall 2002), 36-42.

• “Koho and Kisha Kirabu: The Role of Media Relations in Japanese Public Relations,” Public Relations Review. 28:3 (2002), 265-81. With Bill Kelly and Tomoko Masumoto.

• “Posibilidad Y Problema: An Historical/Critical Analysis of Hispanic Public Relations,” Public Relations Review. 28:1 (2002), 63-85.

• “Tomorrow’s Latino Practitioners: Profiles of Hispanic PR Students,” Public Relations Quarterly. 47:2 (Spring 2002), 31-35.

• “American Hispanic Public Relations,” Public Relations Quarterly. 47:2 (Spring 2002), 11.

• “Communication Faculty Internships,” Public Relations Review. 27:2 (Spring 2001), 103-117.