Is it even possible?

[clark2710]

I've seen theory after theory come and go, shot down, or disproven in some way. I have asked this before on this forum but I'm asking again please.....Is the evidence even currently available today that could solve this case or even tell us who the Ripper was?

[Geddy2112]

Not 'beyond a reasonable doubt' no. Plenty to eliminate suspects though.

[richardh]

Asking ChatGPT:

[Fiver]

I've seen theory after theory come and go, shot down, or disproven in some way. I have asked this before on this forum but I'm asking again please.....Is the evidence even currently available today that could solve this case or even tell us who the Ripper was?

No. We don't have a definitive victim list. We don't know if any of the men seen near the victims were the Ripper, nor how accurate the witness descriptions were. Forensics didn't really exist at the time and the few things that could have been analyzed, like the kidney, have been lost. No photograph was taken of the Goulston Street graffito, and it may have nothing to do with the case. Most of the letters were hoaxes, possibly all. None of the letters are long enough to get a handwriting match. Most of the police files, medical reports, and court documents are lost.

We have a handful of police reports, newapaper accounts of varying accuracy, and some later police theorizing.

Anyone who says they have solved the case is, at best, engaged in wishful thinking.

[The Rookie Detective]

The only thing we can be sure of; definitively and conclusively...

Mary Jane Kelly's wounds were not self inflicted.


Outside of that; anything and everything is still possible.

[Patrick Differ]

From my own perspective I think it's possible to solve it beyond a reasonable doubt. Although any evidence is likely circumstantial. The bodies and post mortem reports are more technical than one might imagine. For example, when the Doctors involved describe the weapons used they are describing the same type of weapon, long blade - very sharp and 6 to 8 inches or longer. Not a bayonet. At the same time they eliminate the blades that certain skills require and use daily including medical, tailor, etc. They also specifically call out slaughterman and Butcher as possible suspects as they would be more in the habit of grounding down and keeping the blade sharp out of professional habit. The medical evidence is revealed to a degree and one could argue reveals the methodology or signature of the kill. Who was the Ripper Angry with? Prostitutes and Authority. He humiliated Authority all the way to Her Majesty.

[Lewis C]

The only thing we can be sure of; definitively and conclusively...

Mary Jane Kelly's wounds were not self inflicted.


Outside of that; anything and everything is still possible.

Hi RD,

I think that we can be sure that none of what are labeled as Whitechapel murders were suicides, with the possible exception of Rose Mylett. Also, Michael Ostrog, Thomas Cream, and Prince Albert Victor could not have been the Ripper.

[Scott Nelson]

From my own perspective I think it's possible to solve it beyond a reasonable doubt. Although any evidence is likely circumstantial.

These two sentences are contradictory, no?

[Patrick Differ]

Legally No. You can convict solely on circumstantial evidence and request a circumstantial evidence only trial. You can also convict in absentia.

[Abby Normal]

I've seen theory after theory come and go, shot down, or disproven in some way. I have asked this before on this forum but I'm asking again please.....Is the evidence even currently available today that could solve this case or even tell us who the Ripper was?

with the evidence we have... no. not even close.

[Scott Nelson]

Legally No. You can convict solely on circumstantial evidence and request a circumstantial evidence only trial. You can also convict in absentia.

But, "beyond a reasonable doubt"??

[Fiver]

But, "beyond a reasonable doubt"??

Yes. People have been convicted based solely on circumstantial evidence.

[Herlock Sholmes]

. Who was the Ripper Angry with? Prostitutes and Authority. He humiliated Authority all the way to Her Majesty.

Hello Patrick,

Welcome to Casebook.

We should be wary of assuming that the ripper was ‘angry with prostitutes.’ The fact that they engaged in prostitution might have had little or no bearing on why he killed them. They were, sadly, the most convenient of victims after all.

[John Wheat]

I've seen theory after theory come and go, shot down, or disproven in some way. I have asked this before on this forum but I'm asking again please.....Is the evidence even currently available today that could solve this case or even tell us who the Ripper was?

Well the logical suspect is William Henry Bury all things considered. It's not case closed though.

[A P Tomlinson]

Is the evidence "available" today... no, or it would have been pretty much done.

Is there the possibility that someone doing a house clearance on an empty row scheduled for demolition somewhere in London might uncover a whole box of journalists notes and interviews or even police records that add information, context and insight? Maybe...

I think to be perfectly honest, many of the people involved enjoy the aspect of research and theorise or debate and debunk, more than any realistic expectation of actually solving the case.