Table of contentsSummaryIntroductionThe impact on death investigationsDocumentation is criticalWhat now?ConclusionReferencesSummaryThe famous serial killer Jack the Ripper terrorized Whitechapel, a town in the East End of London, throughout 1888. The methods with which Jack mutilated his victims and his knowledge of human anatomy are surprisingly consistent with those of a doctor. Four of the five bodies of the alleged victims are said to have been mutilated beyond recognition. Thanks to multiple visits to the case, the Ripper murders still remain unsolved. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Even today, researchers are trying to uncover new truths and correlations regarding the true identity of Jack the Ripper. Although investigative techniques at the time were unable to identify the suspected murderer, modern investigative techniques could have brought justice if he had been active today. This essay will discuss the story of Jack the Ripper and assess the impact the case has had on death investigations today. Additionally, a comparison of investigative techniques from 1888 to today will also be discussed.IntroductionFor four months, the East End of London, Whitechapel, was terrorized by a wave of murders. The name of the mysterious killer, Jack the Ripper, comes from a letter published around the time of the brutal attacks in the fall of 1888. Jack the Ripper is believed to be responsible for at least a dozen deaths between 1888 and 1892; However, five murders are canonically the work of the famous killer. Although there is no official number of victims; However, Jack the Ripper allegedly claimed five victims – prostitutes in a poverty-stricken neighborhood. All but one of the Ripper's victims were killed while soliciting customers on the streets of Whitechapel. This indicates a switch in the Ripper's mode of operation. The first murder took place on August 31, where the Ripper claimed the lives of Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman on September 8, Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddoweson on September 30, and Mary Jane Kelly on November 9 (BBC, 2014). of each of the victims were cut as well as multiple bodily mutilations. The manner in which the bodies were dissected indicated that the killer had extensive knowledge of human anatomy. Could this mean the Ripper was a doctor? Maybe. What is quite intriguing about this case is that serial murders were not prevalent back then, unlike today. One Ripper theory refers to Queen Victoria's grandson, Prince Albert Victor; Although the Ripper's true identity and motive are still unknown, he remains one of the most notorious serial killers of the 19th century. Death impact investigation. Jack the Ripper served as the basis for a criminal and forensic investigation. Looking at past investigative methods, crime scene processing techniques seem quite logical, but they are also lacking. In one of the letters written by Charles Warren, some techniques included the use of hounds – whether or not they were effective in investigations by tracking the scent of blood on the ground. "If the murderer left some of his clothes behind and some of his blood, I can understand a dog following him or if you could show him a particular spot where he stood even on a sidewalk in London where the people walked all the time in the evening, there can be dozens of smells almost as strong as those of the murderer..."CW [Charles Warren] Police Commissioner A letter written by someone claiming the identity of Jack the Ripper, stated the type of weapon used – claiming the murder weapon. would have been a knife with a small handle and a large, long blade. Although the technology might not have been to the police's advantage, if the Ripper murders took place today, the identity of the weapon can be verified. Sharp force injuries will display a specific pattern on the surface and interior of the wounds. Sharp force injuries are distinct: they lack small, thin, delicate bridges of soft tissue between the stab wound or cut (Spitz, 2006). The knife's characteristics indicate whether or not the knife is serrated, or, like the Ripper's weapon, sharp on both edges of the knife. Documentation is critical. Instances where investigative techniques were lacking include the validity of written records. Even though the letter writer claimed to be the killer, it came to nothing. Crime scene documentation is crucial to maintaining its validity, especially in court. The Victorian era lacked the resources needed to process crime scenes like investigators do today. For example, in 1888, no crime laboratories existed. Laboratories play a crucial role in processing several types of evidence. It is likely that the Ripper case has prompted police departments around the world to implement more effective documentation methods. It becomes mandatory to document all aspects of a crime scene, as a minute detail can prove crucial in determining the murderer. Not to mention, crime scene security is also essential to maintaining the integrity of evidence. It is possible that a lack of knowledge in preservation and collection of evidence resulted in the identity of the killer not being discovered. And now ? If the Ripper murders had happened today, there is no doubt the killer would be caught. With a multitude of forensic and forensic implementations, particularly DNA technology, it is almost impossible for anyone to commit murder. In the late 19th century, the average person was unlikely to have knowledge about DNA and traces, simply because the processing technology did not exist. However, according to the director of Locard Exchange, traces are the result of a transfer from one object to another (Spitz, 2006). It is likely that the Ripper left some form of trace with each victim. If police obtained a murder weapon from the crime scene, they could check for latent fingerprints. Performing autopsies on the victims of the Ripper murders would likely yield extraordinary results. Additionally, there are several databases containing information on people working in the medical field. If the Ripper were a doctor, his fingerprints would probably be stored in a database. With facial recognition software and surveillance everywhere, it is increasingly difficult for an individual to move around without leaving a trace. I believe that if Jack the Ripper were an active serial killer today, he would undoubtedly be caught. Technology, death investigation, and society are far too advanced for anyone to get away with murder. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay Conclusion All theories aside, with the advancements in forensic technology, it can be said that it is very unlikely that 10, 2018