Jack the Ripper

The famous case of Jack the Ripper has been known throughout the world since it has started. My class did a court-like debate to identify who is Jack the Ripper really is. Here is brief information about Jack the Ripper.

‘Jack the Ripper’ is a serial killer who murdered and mutilated at least five prostitutes in the East End of London in 1888. The name ‘Jack the Ripper’ is originated in a letter, written by someone claiming to be the murderer, later it was disseminated in the media. Other than that, he is also known as the ‘Whitechapel Murderer’ or ‘Leather Apron’.

Based from my background reading and what I have learned in class, Jack the Ripper killed only four prostitutes during his spree and the victims are:

1. Mary Ann (Polly) Nichols, murdered on Bucks' Row, Friday, August 31, 1888.

2. Annie Chapman, murdered at 29 Hanbury Street, Saturday, September 8, 1888.

3. Elizabeth Stride, murdered on Berner Street, Sunday, September 30, 1888.

4. Catharine Eddowes, murdered in Mitre Square, Sunday, September 30, 1888.

5. Mary Jane (Marie Jeanette) Kelly, murdered at Number 13 Miller's Court, Friday, November 9, 1888.

SOURCE: http://crime.about.com/od/history/a/ripper040721.htm

In this particular debate, we were required to use the Elementary Process where students have to prepare claims and follow up by counter-arguments to argue until to the last remaining claim. Elementary Process is a good method in order to analyze such crime and it was created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

This method is also used by Sherlock Holmes, a fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock Holmes is famous for his logical reasoning, good in forensic science skills to solve cases and his ability to disguise.

Back to our class activity, a serious debate had occurred and here are the most suspected people to be Jack the Ripper:

1. Melville Mcnaghten

2. Thomas Neil Cream

3. Francis Tumblety

4. James Kelly

Even though we didn’t manage to figure out who Jack the Ripper is, I am pretty sure it was a fun debate we had in class. Thank you to Mr Kamar for teaching us one of the important methods of analyzing a crime which is the Elementary Process.