Jack the Ripper Flashcards
Who was Jack the Ripper?
A serial killer active in Whitechapel of the East End of London from August 1888 to November 1888 who killed 5 prostitutes and possibly many others
What are the 7 reasons people still study the case of Jack the Ripper?
- Provides a historical, social, political and economic context for understanding crime causation (explains how crimes like this can happen in society in the hopes we can learn from them)
- Underscores the fact that violence against women is not a modern phenomenon
- The inefficiency of law enforcement in catching him are similar problems within policing today when investigating serial killers (Robert Pickton)
- The role of the media in distorting the facts and sensationalizing the case is similar to todays news agencies
- The killings fostered widespread prejudice against certain groups of society (immigrants, Jews)
- He was never caught, which creates fascination
- The case is a reminder of the great price societies have paid and will continue to pay for failing to take responsibility for their marginalized communities (the nemesis of neglect)
What do we know about the killer? (5)
He was an intelligent and educated man as he had some economical or interpersonal command over the victims and knew to avoid their blood as they could’ve had a disease
He lived in the area in private lodgings or with relatives, likely close to where the crimes occurred, since he was intimately aware of places to escape the police and would simply vanish
His perfection of his craft, ability to kill and vanish without a trace at a time when these crimes were not common suggests there might have been more victims
Believed he was a white male, average height, 20-30s, of respectable genteel appearance from all indications of witness statements
Held a regular job as all killings were on the weekend, bank holidays and/or in the middle of the night
What could have happened to Jack the Ripper? (4)
Most serial killers don’t kill themselves
Could have been arrested for another crime
Could’ve been institutionalized as he was obviously a psychopath
Could have gone dormant as has happened before (GSK, BTK)
