Jack The Ripper The Police Investigation - A Victorian CSI.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มิ.ย. 2021
- In this video we compare the Victorian police investigation into the Jack the Ripper cries with a modern day scene of crime investigation.
An accusation that is often levelled at the 19th century police officers investigated the Whitechapel murders is that they were incompetent and they bungled the investigation, thus enabling Jack the Ripper to escape justice.
This simply wasn't the case. Yes, there were things that they got wrong and things that they most certainly could have done better, but, as you will see as we delve into the techniques they used and the expertise they possessed, there activities at the scenes of the crimes wasn't that far removed from a modern day investigation.
Obviously, the likes of Inspectors Reid and Abberline, and the other detectives who worked on the case, were hampered by a lack of technology that we take for granted in a modern day CSI.
Forensics, criminal profiling, CCTV, even fingerprinting were not utilised in a 19th century murder investigation - but, as we argue in the video, would any of these have helped in the case of a random and opportunist killer such as Jack the Ripper was?
The fact is that, given the resources available to them at the time, the 19th century detectives conducted thorough inquiries into the murders, and the fact they didn't catch Jack the Ripper was more to do with luck on his part than of incompetence on their part.
I am 71 years old and my Grandfather who was born in Italy on January 12th 1881, When he was 4 years old in 1885 he needed an operation which was complicated. He had to travel to London to have the operation and live with relatives who had emigrated to London years before. He had the successful operation and ended up growing up in London from 1885 to (1898 or 1899) before coming to America. So he grew there when Jack the Ripper was killing those poor women.
Very interesting thanks for sharing! I can only imagine how it would have been to live in the time when the "Beware Jack the Ripper" posters were hung on brick walls
Your narration is really excellent. Regrettably our national broadcasters offer nothing that reaches the standard of your programmes.
Thank you for your kind words.
Thank you" hardly seems sufficient. What you give us is priceless, Richard. You are a masterful storyteller. Best wishes from Norway. ❤
Thank you so much, that is really kind of you.
I love the tone of calmness in ur narration and information given , these ladies did and do matter even today ,they deserve to find peace . This was so fascinating thank you
Thank you, very kind of you.
Modern critics are much too hard on the Victorian detectives. Another great video Richard!!!
I couldn't agree more Todd. Pleased you enjoyed the video and than you for your kind words.
The phrase “hindsight is 20/20” definitely comes to mind here! We can only hope and pray those working to solve the case (official or not) bring Jack into the light!
@@QUARTERMASTEREMI6 You realise they where heavily criticised at the time by other police forces... Just saying it wasn't merely a modern take lol
Dark streets that allowed an easy getaway and a general apathy among the general population. It would have taken pure luck
The phrase “hindsight is 20/20” definitely comes to mind here! We can only hope and pray those working to solve the case (official or not) bring Jack into the light!
How did it take me so long to subscribe to this channel? Wonderfully informative, no-nonsense videos.
Thank you, very kind of you.
I subscribed today, and was wondering aloud the VERY same thing. How have I missed this until now? These videos are fantastic.
Hard for us to imagine these days what Whitechapel was like back then. Nicknamed "The abyss", it was an area of absolute squalor, slums, overcrowding, unimaginable poverty, social unrest and serious crime. Large parts of the area were completely dark at night due to what lighting there was often being switched off after a certain time at night. Even these days, it is not the most pleasant area.
I mean it was much more pleasent than London of let's say 1505 lol
I don't think London was the only area that was so squalid. I am sure other industrial cities everywhere at this time were as bad. Maybe worse not having as many slummers to make money from. The Northern cities were desperately poor with a very high death count. bitterly poor.
This is the stereotypical view and indeed there were areas of unimaginable poverty. However Charles Booth conducted a study in 1887 where he researched the East End and people's circumstances. He transferred this information onto a map of the East End. The results were suprising. Areas of extreme deprivation we can not imagine adjoined by areas of middle class- well to do as he defined them. Often shopkeepers or tailors. There were areas of those who lived fairly conformable on good ordinary earnings as well. The East End was not a monolithic place and there were areas of relative prosperity in relation to those they lived beside. It is one of the reasons the Ripper being a middle class tailor or such like is appealing to me. His appearance may well have protected him from suspicion.
Excellent video, Richard! Thank you.
Glad you liked it!
anyone who wants to criticize police work of the past, take a look at how easily killers got away, even serial killers, in even the 1970's & 80's. much of investigative work relies on motives, relationships, personal circles, etc, stranger killers are tough now to prove, nevermind 200 years ago
Atleast they knew they where one loan dude lol anyway who's to say he wasn't caught and we'll given a little street justice by the police.
Good video! My opinion is that had fingerprinting been around, I'm sure Jack would have left plenty. And there were many suspects dead and alive that could be tested.
Thanks again Richard.
Very welcome
Actually most murders don't have all that. It's the bane of prosecutors everywhere that the audience thinks that happens. It's called "The CSI Effect." Just because they do it on CSI doesn't mean they do it in reality.
Source? I’d say “most” murder cases which have a clear crime scene do indeed get this in depth analysis. There was a brutal stabbing of a woman in her home, in my rural village a few years back and there were full crime scene police there in minutes with all the white suits and sealed tent outside the door of the home.
@@yungamurai not every murder does lmfao they don't act like they do in the shows that's for sure shit in my country they're actively covering up a little boys murder and yes I live in a western nation.
I could listen to Richard read the phone book.
Thank you.
Not every aspect of a murder investigation is under police control. Even today their job can be made impossible through interference and plain maliciousness. I think of the workhouse mortuary and the freelance photographers, the vigilance committees and the private investigators. Not to mention those who lied to extract themselves from trouble and those who fabricated events to try and profit from the situation. And then there are the informants. Mix all that up and allot a large slice of luck to the perpetrator and you have a pretty tough job.
You What ?
Thank you Dear Richard for your excellent work and research! 👏
So nice of you
@@JackTheRipperTours Dear Richard, you are welcome. I really appreciate your work. If all goes well, it would be an honor for me, to take part on your tour in August/September, this year. 🌸
Best Regards from Germany
He was a cunning killer and had at least 15 minutes between police rounds to commit the killings. He would also have blended with local meat workers in bloody clothes while escaping.
People need to realise not all PCs stuck to their times so accurately shit one of the officers that showed up at pollys murder scene likely lied to save his ass since man didn't want to rush to a murder scene but instead take his sweet time.
Brilliant upload . Love Richard fantastic storyteller.
Thank you, Louise. Pleased you enjoyed it.
Another brilliantly and sensitively made video.
Thank you kindly!
I just discovered your channel and love it! There are too many amateur sites and channels around and it’s good to get the authentic and objective viewpoints here. I watched the then and now video on the sites of the Ripper victims and was sad to see so many being built over, still at least we have you guys to keep the memories alive! Hopefully once Covid is no longer a big issue I’d love to take one of your tours and really immerse myself in the subject! Thanks and keep up the good work 👍
Omar, that is very kind of you and thank you for your encouraging words. Yes, once Covid is over it would be great to welcome you.
@@JackTheRipperTours It would be my pleasure I’m sure
I could listen to you speak about Victorian London for hours!
Thank you for the compliment, Daniel.
I love youtube. I wise the content creators were rewarded as well as they deserve. So many videos, so little time. Hollywood is run by fools. All the real talent is right here. Thank you for all you do.
My pleasure, and thank you for your kind words.
Another well made video you always do such great and informative videos great work congratulations
I appreciate that
Thank you and congratulations for the excellent work you put on these videos.
Thank you very much!
Really well done and informative videos - thank you.
Very welcome
This is a very informative video. The Police didn't have the modern investigative tools and resources of modern Police organizations. The most important aspect of the Ripper murders was that the victim didn't know their murderer before he came across her on the streets of White Chapel looking for a prostitute. Most of the women did not have a home and had to look for a bed for the night and could only secure one in a boarding house if the had the 4 pence to use it for the night. News papers and the Public outcry didn't help matters.This video shows that the only thing the Police could do was to increase the number of Police on duty in White Chapel all night in hopes of seeing the Zipper committing the crime or trying to flee the scene of the crime.
This vide illustrates what a daunting task it was to catch the killer. Let’s not forget that they had other crimes to solve simultaneously. There were body parts washing up in the Thames, at Scotland Yard and Pinchin St. ( I wonder if one of the suspects used to live a houses down from that arch🤔). They had their hands full. Happy Fathers Day Rich and all our Dad Ripperologists!
Thank you.
Thank you for the very informative video.
Our pleasure!
Love your commentary!
Thank you for saying so.
Love the video and well narrated.❤😊
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Richard, maybe when the killer got word of the extensive house to house enquiries in the October, he took steps to clean up any evidence he might have in a private residence. Very informative videos
Thanks for a great video, i would love to meet you one day, i have always been hooked on JTR and History
That would be cool!
Ty Richard found the time to go back over the videos IV missed.
Thanks, Mathew.
Wonderful videos, I’ve subscribed
Awesome, thank you!
It's my belief that if the police in 1888 had the forensic resources that they do today, JTR would have been apprehended.
Aberline released a book in the early 1900’s, not long after retirement. In it, he identified the killer and explained how they sent officers after him to America. He identified Dr Francis Tumbletee. When Tumbletee died, he had some items in his possession that belonged to two of the ripper victims. He also collected uteruses.
I’m definitely not a conspiracy theorist, but I often wonder if the “romance” of the hidden identity is more important than actually knowing who did it. Because I think it’s pretty obvious. He wasn’t the only ex police chief who mentioned “Dr T” either.
Abberline said many things about the Ripper, most of which appear contradictory. IIRC (and I likely do) he did not mention Francis Tumblety. I have never heard from a reliable source that "Doctor" (he wasn't one) Tumblety had any objects connected with the Ripper victims. He was a suspect, but IMO, rather a weak one.
Excellent narrator..thank you...
Thank you too!
Forensics, DNA, fingerprints, blood groups, cc tv, phone data and pings, computer records. JTR would have had a much harder time staying undiscovered today.
Indeed, Richard.
Im not so sure. Unfortunately we know even today w all the tech & science such crimes still go unsolved. Especially if the victim is just random w no connection to the killer. Even when they are connected its not as easy as people assume. Unfortunately tv shows kind of taint the reality of criminal investigations. Of course these things help and are much better tools than before but in reality society has become so focused on these things that they expect all criminals should be caught immediately. When that’s just not reality. Sadly that misconception also causes people to last out at LE when its not. Just as the media & people did then when JTR wasn’t solved.
We are actually reaching a tipping point as well where people expect all the science n tech to prove a crime too. So other info is overlooked as unimportant or less credible. But who knows maybe it would have helped, maybe not.
The Victoria era London Police Force utilised many advanced techniques and has historically been acknowledged as one of the best supplied in the world. They took photos of some of the crime scenes and victims, that was SUPER advanced for 1880. As was the level of detail they recorded of the state of the crime scenes, and the evidence they collected, much of which is still stored in Scotland Yard's archive today. DNA testing done on some of these items back in 2007 came back inconclusive. If all our seemingly prophetic modern technology and techniques can't definitely solve the case, what chance did the police at the time? ... Actually, now I think of it, they had a better chance in 1888, as there was a marginal possibility they could catch Jack red-handed. No chance of that happening in the here and now!
I got off track there. I meant to say, thank you for acknowledging and explaining that the police at the time weren't at all incompetent when examined in historical context!
I think they get an unjustified bad rap a lot of the time.
To get yourself page after page all Anybody had to do is butcher a very unfortunate Woman - rippers not ripper
Very interesting! Thank you….
Thank you too!
They did what they could with what they had. He must have been very ordinary looking, and he blended into the crowd. He didn't have to be a crime genius. He was careless and out of control towards the end. He would have been caught with today's technology. Back then they just didn't have the science.
Wouldn't be at all surprised if he was questioned during their investigations in the area, but of course they thought he'd look like a drooling lunatic.
@@DoctorBastard the police had a very firm idea of who it was
@TH-camisrun bynastyignoranthypocrites the police had a very firm idea of who he was, and he ticks all the boxes knowing what we know now about serial killers and how they operate. Aaron Kosminski
Bro no, I'm sorry but police today always struggle with serial killers lmfao if he was around today he'd be all to aware of today's technology.
@@th8257 you're ignoring that their guy died not long after going to the nut house and Aaron wasn't signed in until 1891 so he can't be the same guy as he lived for 20 odd years lol
Excellent. I think we assume it as a fact the flooding the streets with Police would enable capture, but I don't think he would have hesitated a moment in using those weapons on a Police officer in a bid to escape?. I think face to face, a Police officer will likely have been in mortal danger and capturing him far harder than some might assume.
Thank you.
They did the best they could do. It didn't help when the press were constantly attacking them, & the thousands of bogus letters wasting their time as well.
From what I understand, hoax letters still plague unsolved cases today. So it is not as if people were generally more depraved, fame-seeking or bored then. Just that we have more tools at our disposal now to investigate cases.
In the 19th century the only way criminals were arrested and convicted was eyewitness testimony or, more rarely, caught in the act. Policing was mostly about controlling the poor's (or racially/ethnically despised people) movements, keeping them in the slums and out of the wealthy neighborhoods.
@@MsZoedog66 they should simply disregard such letters alot are purely media invention the press is and will always be negative for society.
If you look at most serial killers they are so often been spoken to by police some where along the line like the Yorkshire ripper was interviewed by the police on several occasions and the same happened with the real Jack the Ripper he was actually seen with the second victim by a man on his way to work but he bluffed his way out of being seen as a suspect and got away with murder and all the killings were done on the same route that man walked to work and that man's name is ?
Charles lechemere, gave his name as Charles cross
Charles Allen Cross, (Lechmere)
Although a Sherlock Holmes fan, I must admit that the Scotland Yarders in the Sherlockian canon invariably were pictured as bunglers; and although I am an American who has never met a British detective or policeman, I knew that they could not possibly be the hopeless incompetents limned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. My understanding is that the British Police of today are up at the top with the best forces in the world. As for their critics, it is always easier to cast stones at the professionals than to walk in their shoes.
It is indeed, Bud. although the police worldwide do get criticisms galore cast at them.
I mean they're pretty useless and don't give a shit about the public they're more interested in you OBEYING them.
Excellent
Thank you! Cheers!
Was there really a sense that the police were incompetent? I never saw it that way, the tools of the day were scant. I never thought they were bumbling.
The popular press at the time were portraying them that way.
This case has undoubtedly been scrutinized by historians and digital arm chair sleuths and criminologists for generations.
As always I'm first to watch your videos,, thanks as always good day to you my friend 👍🍻
Thank you.
Soo many cops and others out at night and still he got away with it sometimes only by minutes. Was the killer a cop?
I always thought he was a police man in uniform ? That's why no one noticed him and he got around !! Just a personal opinion my friend 👍
@@shawngarratt2887 would also explain how he got so close to them without scaring them off.
I think he was a journalist. They are who profited off of all of this, the newspapers/journalists. They think the "Dear Boss" letter was written by a journalist, but I say might also be the killer. Seeing how corrupt and nasty and completely false our current day journalists are, I would not put it past that the killer could've been a journalist.
Interesting. I’m inclined to think he was as it seems so well planned and timed. But then again he could also be someone who worked with or for the police. Then he would have inside information on the case and could then plan his deathly deeds accordingly. I’m one of those who think he had anatomy knowledge and might even be the one who makes the autopsy . These are just thoughts but it makes sense to me.
What has always seemed apparent to me is, these were not his first crimes, It’s Whitechapel, the Port of London, he came from somewhere else where he had to flee. That’s my take.
That is probably an accurate take, Kevin.
Recommended you track down professor David Wilson and other criminologists' work on the matter. It's been established that serial killers usually operate in a circle around where they live. That puts jack the ripper's home firmly in the middle of Whitechapel.
I dunno, perhaps the Metro Police got a bad rap but that group photo does resemble Mack Sennett's Keystone Cops. Must be the headgear and uniforms.
I think it needs to be acknowledged that, from a feminist perspective, all the victims were women in dire economic straits. They were dependent on men (whether they knew them or not) for their board and lodgings and therefore vulnerable to being abused or worse by them. Because the police force was predominantly populated by men there could have been a bias, based upon the assumption that the Ripper's victims were women of low morals. The media at the time challenged the ongoing investigations and kept the police on their toes. The killing spree stopped not because the perpetrator felt cornered but, in my opinion, he either moved on or died.
Good points, Elspeth.
In my opinion Kate Edows did know the killer. she left for hop picking just after Annie Chapman's murder. I wonder if she was on Hanbury st and saw and knew who Annie was with
Many decades ago, I was a youth trolling the streets, as youth are want to do. I passed this old shop where antiques are sold; or it was some such place. I toured the small store examining all of the items. Some were just piled onto tables; before leaving I spent time on one old table in particular. All manner of odd such things were amassed in this old nondescript basket of sorts.
In it, I found these old photos, - the kind you'd see from the earlier days of photography itself.
Horrible pictures of dated photos - of young women despatched in the most brutal of fashions. I'll never forget those very disturbing images. I asked an older woman, the only one working there, and the only one in the shop besides myself, -
what these pictures were ? It was erie to say the least - she told me that the pictures were pictures of the young women - the victims of Jack the Ripper. I was horrified but fascinated at the same time; she must at the time have been low on funds or something - they were ridiculously cheap.
I wanted them - and yet I certainly 'didn't' want them at the same-time !
They were horrible - absolutely horrible to-be-sure. Jack's last victim was the worst.
I don't really want to think- let alone write about it, this one in particular was very disturbing to view.
I'm not writing details, -
I'll say that the look, and the countenance on that woman's face scared my brain and haunts me to this very day.
It was unbelievably- ferocious and mindless brutality.
It was nightmares, or a horror movie. Like it was something not truly real.
I wish I could forget it.
Needless to say,
I didn't buy them.
I feel pressed in some way - like a needful catharsis to describe it.
Unbelievable, - I'd never be a policemen that's for sure.
How could any human- being end-up like that ?
Maybe I imagined it all,
that feels better.
The police poured resources and expertise in to the investigation". interviews and handing out handbills looking under beds and into cupboards" 🤣🤣
Maybe...the killer was a crazed policeman?? Another sterling account of the case 👍💗🌵
There were suggestions that it might be a policeman, Melinda. Pleased that you enjoyed the video.
He waa s a doctor 4 certain...No layman could do so much damage with such deadly precision.
3:02 Part of the great ketchup murders of 1988
I think Jack the Ripper's murders were far from random
The authorities should have called Alexandre Lacassange?
They weren't too stupid to find out who did it. They knew who did it. That's why they never charged anyone with the murders! No different from nowadays - if the perpetrator is a high profile person, one of their own, a member of a group who has special privileges for political reasons, or even just a very wealthy person, they either claim not to know who committed the crime, or they arrest the victim(s) (in cases where the victims are still alive that is) or a vulnerable person that nobody takes serious (a poor person, an abuse survivor or similar) and claim they did it. Happens all the time!
Too bad that they didn't have DNA back then 👍😎‼️
💋⚘👍
Maybe Jack was a cop. Constables have off-time, right? And probably some anatomic knowledge?
Your own voice to tell every docu on Jack is 👍,much more than every Idiot who has written about Jack in all 📚,if any1 does know ,it is You 😎
The police had clues. For example..the two ^ ^ in both eddowes cheeks and all metal in her possession was removed tin boxes tin matchbox metal cigarette case a knife metal teaspoon metal thimble metal buttons .but the police never spoke about these clues.
The police had no reason to update the press on everything infact they likely disliked the press in all honesty lol
We’re they random I think 3 of them knew each other and was part of the reason they were killed Mary Kelly was the reason they were killed to scare her off prostitution Q why was her clothes folded neatly in her room while other clothing burned she had gone to sleep why was the door locked when the key had been lost key locked Qwhy was her heart missing she was killed because of love , the man that loved her was rejected and cast off and finally gave in when she had found another man
Are there any relatives of the victims of Jack the Ripper?
Yes several.
A good idea would be for detectives to look at the suspects birth chart. . They have their date of birth and place
How would that help?
Whos not liked this video ???
JTR was a very sly, trained and intelligent fella, whatever I think of his vile deeds!
"trained"?? Like he went to serial killer night classes?? The basic fact is that it was a hell of a lot easier to get away with murder then than it is now. Quite appalling murders were pretty common in the London of the time. Mutilated corpses were fished out of the river on a semi regular basis.
Do you unbelievable factor know everybody wants to acknowledge or belief is that the real kale ripper was never caught
That is because he was a policeman
SOME1 KNEW but kept his mouth shut!!!
He or she??? lol
JtR was a cop just like JJD
Thanks.
No evidence of that whatsoever. You're projecting.
Jack the Ripper was Charles Allen Lechmere also known as Charles Cross case closed. 😉