A thought experiment

[NotBlamedForNothing]

You avail yourself of a plutonium driven flux capacitor, install it in your car (doesn't have to be a DeLorean), set the time coordinates for early August 1888, and, starting from somewhere near enough to the East End, take the car up to 88mph...

After some trial and error, you learn where you can stand, kneel, squat or walk, to get a good enough view of the murders - good enough to recognize the murderer from any of the earlier murders, or not, as the case may be.

You learn the man's (or men's) identity, life situation and background, plus many of the interesting details, like who saw what and the time each murder occurred.

You head back to the future...

Having the real answers to most of the important questions, you logon to the Casebook forum and commence to tell the world your secrets...

There's just one caveat, however - in your forum posts you can only make reference to publicly available evidence, as of now. You can't refer to any lost evidence or bring anything back with you, except for memories.

You have no trouble clearly answering any important relevant questions, but can only refer to currently available evidence, in support.

The thought experiment: On a 0-10 scale, or just descriptively, how convincing would you be?

Also, where would be the ideal place to observe the respective murders, without being noticed by the murderer(s), or altering witness testimony?

[Herlock Sholmes]

Nice idea.

I’d expect to be not very convincing if we only had the evidence available to us now that we could use. Maybe 2 or 3? We would be left with giving ‘possible’ explanations for events which would be viewed as mere speculation. I can’t think of any possible speculated explanation of a particular event (based on something that we had actually seen with our own eyes) which might significantly alter others opinions. I’d certainly be interested to hear suggestions from others or yourself though. What plausible, not previously suggested explanation might tip the balance if accepted?

[Ms Diddles]

Hi NBFN,

I suppose I would argue hard and convincingly in favour of the pieces of evidence which I knew to be true, and similarly against the pieces of evidence which I knew to be red herrings.

I would do my best to construct a plausible and coherent narrative from the bits of evidence which we now have, but ultimately I don't think it would be terribly convincing.

Ripperologists are a cynical bunch at the best of times, so I would be under no illusions, and would likely need to dodge accusations of egregious speculation!!

I'd go 2 out of 10.

[Ms Diddles]

In relation to where I would be situated to observe the proceedings, I reckon that while I was awaiting the arrival of my plutonium driven flux capacitator (which would take a while to source), I'd participate in some advanced parkour training so I could jump around the buildings and rooftops with ninja like stealth.

If I was too lazy to do that, I'd probably just order up an invisibility cloak along with my capacitator.

You can probably get em both on Amazon these days.

[NotBlamedForNothing]

Nice idea.

I’d expect to be not very convincing if we only had the evidence available to us now that we could use. Maybe 2 or 3? We would be left with giving ‘possible’ explanations for events which would be viewed as mere speculation. I can’t think of any possible speculated explanation of a particular event (based on something that we had actually seen with our own eyes) which might significantly alter others opinions. I’d certainly be interested to hear suggestions from others or yourself though. What plausible, not previously suggested explanation might tip the balance if accepted?

I think our time-traveller's ability to quickly and unambiguously answer any question members put to him, would after a while, seem uncanny. Especially as those answers would not contradict any other answers, either previous or later. I also think a lot of the time-traveller's apparent interpretations would have a "I've never thought of it like that" or "Why didn't I think of that?" quality to them.

Once the Ripper has been named and argued for, it may prompt investigation which uncovers new evidence that, rather astonishingly, confirms the time-traveller's 'predictions'.

[NotBlamedForNothing]

Hi NBFN,

I suppose I would argue hard and convincingly in favour of the pieces of evidence which I knew to be true, and similarly against the pieces of evidence which I knew to be red herrings.

I would do my best to construct a plausible and coherent narrative from the bits of evidence which we now have, but ultimately I don't think it would be terribly convincing.

Ripperologists are a cynical bunch at the best of times, so I would be under no illusions, and would likely need to dodge accusations of egregious speculation!!

I'd go 2 out of 10.

Hi Ms Diddles.

How does 2 out of 10 compare to your preferred suspect or suspects, assuming you have any?

[NotBlamedForNothing]

In relation to where I would be situated to observe the proceedings, I reckon that while I was awaiting the arrival of my plutonium driven flux capacitator (which would take a while to source), I'd participate in some advanced parkour training so I could jump around the buildings and rooftops with ninja like stealth.

If I was too lazy to do that, I'd probably just order up an invisibility cloak along with my capacitator.

You can probably get em both on Amazon these days.

I'd also purchase a good infra-red camera. Sometimes I wonder if JtR could see that part of the spectrum.

Perhaps I would break into the board school on Berner St, and one of the warehouses in Mitre Square. Not sure about a good vantage point for the other murders.

[Ms Diddles]

Hi Ms Diddles.

How does 2 out of 10 compare to your preferred suspect or suspects, assuming you have any?

Well, I don't really have a preferred suspect so it's quite hard to say.

Hypothetically speaking I'd say the score would likely be the same.

I'm not so sure about the time traveller's theory getting an "I've never thought of it like that" type response.

I fear accusations of speculation would be thrown around wildly which would detract from what they were saying.

[Ms Diddles]

I'd also purchase a good infra-red camera. Sometimes I wonder if JtR could see that part of the spectrum.

Perhaps I would break into the board school on Berner St, and one of the warehouses in Mitre Square. Not sure about a good vantage point for the other murders.

I considered the outdoor toilet in Hanbury Street but decided it was probably too unpleasant.