Catching Jack…….

1. Catching Jack……. WALT: Investigate why Jack the Ripper was never caught. WILF: Level 4: Describe the problems the Police faced. Level 5: Explain why Jack the Ripper was never caught. Level 6: Evaluate the Police Force who tried to catch Jack the Ripper

2. Starter

3. Jack the Ripper In 1888 a murderer nicknamed “Jack the Ripper” killed at least 5 women in the East End of London. The Police printed over 80 000 leaflets and trained bloodhounds for the first time but never managed to catch him. People today still do not know who Jack the Ripper really was…………………

4. Your Task You are going to look at lots of evidence that Police Officers who investigated the crime had and try to work out why the Police had so much trouble in finding the murderer. For each source you will need to complete a table explaining what it tells us about Jack the Ripper, and what it tells us about the Police methods that failed.

5. Source A “The Police took photographs of the deceased victims eyes because they believed that they would see an image of the last thing the victim say (the murderer) . This was one of the few forensic techniques they could use to investigate crimes.”

6. Source A “The Police took photographs of the deceased victims eyes because they believed that they would see an image of the last thing the victim say (the murderer) . This was one of the few forensic techniques they could use to investigate crimes.”

7. Source A “The Police took photographs of the deceased victims eyes because they believed that they would see an image of the last thing the victim say (the murderer) . This was one of the few forensic techniques they could use to investigate crimes.”

8. Source B A Witness statement from 1888 “It was very dark. The man of average height, may have been left, or right handed. He was wearing a hat. He had his back to me but seemed to be a foreigner. I did not hear him speak and he seemed to disappear into the night”

9. Source C This message was found above the body of Catherine Eddowes, murdered on 30th September. It says “The Juwes are the men that will not be Blamed for nothing” This message was written by the Ripper and would be have been one of the first real clues. Unfortunately the officer in charge had the message scrubbed off. He was afraid residents of the area would attack Jewish Residents.

10. Source D The Police did not arrest any suspects but they came up with this profile of what he was like: • He was a white male • He was of average or below average height. • He was between 20-40 yrs old. • He lived in the East End of London. • He could be a doctor. • He might be a foreigner. • He was right handed. • He probably had a regular job because the murders happened at the weekend. • He was probably single.

11. Source E The Press. The Press described how the ‘Ripper’ murdered his victims in horrific detail. Every time the press reported a fresh murder, often over exaggerating the event, the upper classes in London complained to the government. The Government then had to change the Police officers working on the case because of the complaints. This continual change in police personnel meant that experienced officers were transferred unnecessarily. This slowed the progress of the ‘Ripper’ case. “The stomach and abdomen had been ripped open, while the face was slashed about, so that the features of the poor creature were beyond all recognition.” The London Times – November 10, 1888

12. Source F Dear Boss, I keep on hearing the police have caught me but they wont fix me just yet. Grand work the last job was. I gave the lady no time to squeal. How can they catch me now. I love my work and want to start again. The next job I do I shall clip the ladys ears off and send to the police officers just for jolly wouldn't you. My knife's so nice and sharp I want to get to work right away if I get a chance. Good Luck. Yours trulyJack the Ripper The Letters The London Press began to receive hundreds of letters claiming to be from The Ripper. The dismissed almost all of these as fakes. However one letter (on the right) was incorrectly seen as a fake, detectives and historians today believe it is from the real Ripper. The newspaper editors received the letter the night before Katie Eddowes and Lizzie Stride were killed, they did not send it to the Police because they thought it was a fake. Had this delay not happened the Police might have stopped Jack the Ripper

13. Task! Looking back at the WILF from the beginning you are going to use this to create a mini documentary . Remember to back up your suggestions with information from the sources. • Level 4: Describe the problems the Police faced. • Level 5: Explain why Jack the Ripper was never caught. • Level 6: Evaluate the Police Force who tried to catch Jack the Ripper

14. Presentations. Watch (or listen) to the presentation by your peers and explain how they have (or have not) met their WILF.