Crime and Punishment - Jack the Ripper Flashcards
Who was Jack the Ripper?
A serial killer who is believed to have murdered 5 women in 1888. The Ripper’s identity has never been established.
What was “H Division”
The police force responsible for policing Whitechapel (the area where the Ripper murders took place).
Who were the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee?
A group of Whitechapel businessmen who were frustrated that the police hadn’t found Jack the Ripper – they organised a system of rewards and took to the streets at night with planks of wood.
Who was PC Alfred Long?
The police officer who discovered a piece of Catherine Eddowes apron, smeared with blood and human waste. On the wall behind was written: ‘the juwes are the men that will not be blamed for nothing’.
Who was Inspector Frederick Abberline?
The inspector in CID assigned to the Ripper case.
What year did the Ripper Murders take place?
1888
Who were the victims targeted in the Ripper Murders?
Mary Ann Nichols Annie Chapman Liz Stride and Catherine Eddowes Mary Kelly
Describe their living conditions of the 5 Ripper victims.
All of the women were prostitutes who lived in poverty in the slums of Whitechapel.
What was the “double event”?
Liz Stride and Catherine Eddowes were killed on the same night - known as the ‘double event’
Which of the Ripper victims was killed in a different location?
Mary Kelly was killed in her room. The other victims were killed on the street.
Why was Jack the Ripper never caught?
They were not able to analyse the forensic evidence. At the time, science was unable to tell the difference between human and animal blood.
Would the murderer have been caught if the crimes had occurred in modern times?
If these murders happened today there would be a much better chance of catching the killer with modern techniques such as fingerprinting, blood splatter analysis, CCTV cameras etc
What was the press involvement in the case?
Several letters were sent to newspapers saying they were from the killer. One signed off as “Jack the Ripper” and the name stuck. The letters teased the police for not catching him.
What else was sent to the newspapers along with the “From Hell” letter?
‘From Hell’ letter sent from a person claiming to be Jack the Ripper in 1888—it contained half a human kidney.
Why did the police think the “Dear Boss” letter might have been genuine?
The ’Dear Boss’ letter was written in red ink. Initially the police thought it was fake but when the body of Catherine Eddowes was found with one earlobe cut off, people suspected it may have been real because the writer had promise to ’clip the ladys ears off’.
