Unnamed: Jack the Ripper

Can DNA evidence provide the answer?

Who is Jack?

Between 1888 and 1891, there were 11 brutal murders in the Whitechapel district of London, England. Five of those have been canonically attributed to the Whitechapel Murderer, also known as the Leather Apron, or famously, Jack the Ripper. The names of his victims are Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine “Kate” Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly.

“The Five,” as they are known colloquially, were believed to be connected to each other by investigators because the killer in these cases had a consistent and progressing Modus Operandi. Each victim suffered a deep cut to their throat and bodily mutilation. The brutality progressively increased with murder, except in Elizabeth Stride’s case where police believe her attacker was interrupted.

The Investigation

The Whitechapel community was unstable at the time of the murders due to a quickly growing population and economic difficulties. The area was rife with gang activity, and it was difficult to ascertain how many murders were committed by the serial killer and how many they could attribute to others. Violence toward sex workers was especially prevalent.