Jack The Ripper Research Paper

This historical investigation will be looking at the police investigation of the serial killer Jack the Ripper. Jack the Ripper is infamously known around the world as a serial killer who was never caught in 1888, Whitechapel, London. While these murders took place more than 100 years ago, new theories on the possible identity of the murderer are arising and the question of his identity still remains a mystery. Much of the original evidence of the case has been lost and facts have been altered with time. This investigation will be analyzing the effect letters and sensational journalism tampered with the Jack the Ripper case. A newspaper article will also be analyzed and the part of sensationalized journalism in the case will be discussed.

Summary of Evidence

The Whitechapel murders occurred in London’s destitute and crime ridden East-End, the area was an embarrassment to the elite society of the West-End. To the elite it was seen as the breeding grounds of criminals and prostitutes due to a large part of the community being poor immigrant families. (Curtis) Much of the population was employed by factory work and was very poor, crowded with overpopulation, poor drainage, and terrible health conditions. Because of the area, Jack the Ripper victims all came from a similar background.

Sources have agreed that Ripper’s victims amounted to a total of five. His main targets were prostitutes which ties into his method of killing, to slit the throat. His victims would lift their skirts up, making their hands occupied, and this would give Ripper the opportunity to seize them by the throat. Autopsies of the victims reveal that they were strangled; there were no bruises on the back or the head which indicates that he placed his victims on the ground rather than letting them simply fall. Blood stains show that blood pooled beside or under the neck, meaning the victim’s throat was slit while on the ground, preventing the killer from being blood stained. The murders began on August 31, 1888, when the body of Molly Ann Nichols was discovered. Soon after the death newsmen recognized the existence of a person committing multiple murders in Whitechapel but it wasn’t until later that the assassin became known as ‘Jack the Ripper’.

With this sensational journalism came much more thrill for gossip. Tales of monsters, such as the writing of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886) by R.L. Stevenson, only further thrilled the public with tales of horror and mystery. When these murders occurred reporters were eager to pounce on a good story that would excite readers and increase circulation. Ironically, Ripper’s murders caused the production’s chances of having a long and profitable run to be ruined due to the fact that Hyde’s behavior came too close to comfort to Ripper’s.