Lesson 8: techniques used by police to investigate murders

• What was the focus of Lesson 7?

  The techniques used by police to investigate murders
• Why was public information important to the police?

  Public often knew more about the area
• What was a major limitation of the leads provided by the public?

  They could be misleading and waste time
• What is a post mortem?

  A detailed examination after death
• What did doctors suggest about the cut marks on the bodies?

  They indicated a left-handed person with anatomy knowledge
• Which professionals did the police investigate based on post mortem findings?

  Local doctors, hospitals, vets, and butchers
• What was a drawback of post mortems during the investigation?

  They were often unreliable and unclear
• How did journalists contribute to the investigation?

  They collected information from locals
• What was the issue with journalists' conclusions?

  They often prioritized stories over truth
• What was the police's approach to encourage information from the poor?

  Offering hot meals and warm drinks
• Why did the police avoid offering money as a reward?

  It would attract time wasters seeking money
• What was the police's reasoning for visiting lunatic asylums?

  They believed the killer might be insane
• What was the outcome of visiting lunatic asylums?

  No useful information was obtained
• What actions did the Metropolitan Police take after September 30th?

  Increased house searches and questioned residents
• How many lodging house residents did the police question?

  More than 2,000 lodging house residents
• What did the police distribute to gather information?

  80,000 police notices
• Who else became involved in the investigation after the double murder?

  Queen Victoria and international newspapers
• What was the police's strategy involving officers in disguise?

  To catch the killer using officers as bait
• What was the public's reaction to the police's disguise strategy?

  They mocked the police for it
• What was the role of sniffer dogs in the investigation?

  To sniff out suspects during the investigation
• Why were the bloodhounds not used in Whitechapel?

  The owner refused to let them be used
• What items were used as evidence in the investigation?

  Victim's possessions found near bodies
• What was significant about the envelope found near Annie Chapman?

  It had links to the army
• What was a challenge regarding the investigation of victim's possessions?

  Whitechapel was dirty, making evidence unclear
• What are the main techniques used by police in murder investigations?

  • Public information and eyewitness accounts
  • Post mortems for cause of death
  • Information from journalists
  • Encouragement of poor people through soup kitchens
  • Visiting lunatic asylums
  • House-to-house searches and questioning
  • Officers in disguise as bait
  • Use of sniffer dogs
  • Investigation of victim's possessions
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of using public information in investigations?

  Strengths:

  • Local knowledge can provide leads
  • Eyewitness accounts can be valuable

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Leads can be misleading
  • Public may act on prejudices
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of post mortems in investigations?

  Strengths:

  • Can reveal cause of death
  • May provide clues about the murderer

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Often unreliable due to lack of equipment
  • May not provide clear answers
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of using journalists in investigations?

  Strengths:

  • Can gather information from locals
  • May provide different perspectives

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Often prioritize stories over truth
  • Can jump to conclusions without evidence
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of using sniffer dogs in investigations?

  Strengths:

  • Trained to sniff out suspects
  • Can cover large areas quickly

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • May not be available for use
  • Dependent on the owner's cooperation