Lesson 9: Obstacles to the police success catching jack

• What were the obstacles to the Police Success in catching Jack the Ripper?

  Limited investigative techniques and trust issues
• Why were scientific methods limited for the Metropolitan Police?

  They had almost no methods to solve crimes
• How long did it take for fingerprinting to be accepted as reliable evidence?

  12 years
• Why did police officers not take fingerprinting seriously?

  They did not believe in its value
• What was a limitation of blood analysis at the time?

  Scientists couldn't differentiate human from animal blood
• What environmental factors complicated blood sample analysis in Whitechapel?

  Water and pollution from various sources
• What was lacking in police resources regarding criminal identification?

  No database or collection of photographs existed
• How could a criminal evade capture in London?

  By moving to areas controlled by different police
• What was the state of crime scene photography during this period?

  It was just beginning to be used
• What was a common issue with crime scene photographs?

  Only the body was often photographed
• What old belief did some officers hold regarding victim photography?

  It could capture the last image seen by the victim
• Why was the police force in Whitechapel unprepared for the Ripper murders?

  They lacked experience with such crimes
• What motivated the formation of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee?

  Frustration with police progress
• What actions did the Vigilance Committee take to address crime?

  They patrolled the streets and complained to the government
• What did the Vigilance Committee use for protection during their patrols?

  Burning planks of wood and whistles
• What was the content of the "From Hell" letter?

  A letter and half a human kidney
• How did the Vigilance Committee aim to influence public perception of the police?

  By embarrassing the police and stirring local feelings
• What was the effect of the Vigilance Committee on newspapers?

  It led to more sensationalist stories
• What were the main obstacles faced by the Metropolitan Police in catching Jack the Ripper?

  • Limited investigative techniques
  • Lack of trust in new methods
  • No reliable scientific methods
  • Ineffective blood analysis
  • Absence of criminal databases
  • Poor quality crime scene photography
  • Old beliefs among officers
  • Lack of experience with such crimes
• What actions did the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee take to address the Ripper murders?

  • Formed due to police inaction
  • Patrolled streets at night
  • Complained to the government
  • Offered a reward for information
  • Sent the "From Hell" letter