The FBI Profile of Jack the Ripper & it's usefulness

[John Wheat]

To Paul

I wouldn't have thought the chances of there being two serial killers operating at the same time in London are that high, which is one of the reason's I don't subscribe to the multiple killers theory in reguard to the Ripper murders.

Cheers John

[Major Kong]

I think the FBI profile may give us a rough idea of what Jack the Ripper was like. And I'd expect Jack to largely match up with the FBI's profile. I also subscribe to the single killer hypothesis although I believe the Torso Killer was operating in London at the same time as Jack.

Hey John,
I think in some ways the torso killings were more gruesome than the Ripper murders. It really begs the question, "what are the odds of two serial killers operating at the same time, and in the same limited geographic area(London)??" But my gut instincts tell me that they were two separate killers as well.

[John Wheat]

I think the FBI profile may give us a rough idea of what Jack the Ripper was like. And I'd expect Jack to largely match up with the FBI's profile. I also subscribe to the single killer hypothesis although I believe the Torso Killer was operating in London at the same time as Jack.

[Major Kong]

Honestly, Paul, John Douglas could say that Lewis Carol was his pick of suspects and I would seriously be considering it.
John Douglas was on a JtR television production (which Peter Ustinov hosted) quite sometime ago. If memory serves, I think 4 or five suspects were offered and the panel had to choose from only those suspects.
I don't think John Douglas' profile has changed dramatically from that program.
I have found his insight into crime scenes, victimology and criminal behavior uncanny.
All that being said, I doubt seriously JtR will ever be properly "identified", because, I believe him to have been more common to Whitechapel.
Unlike other theories, I have read, of late (some on this board), I do believe it to have been the work of one man--and not several murderers.
my 2 scheckles
-Gypsyohara

Hey Gyps,
I totally agree...I don't think JtR will never be truly "identified" either. I also have found Douglass writings on profiling and criminal behavior interesting to say the least. I think his original FBI Profile on JtR (written in 1988) holds up well. I really believe the "kind" of suspect we are looking for will have more traits and characteristics found in Douglas' profile than not. I obviously subscribe to the single killer theory as well. I found his triangle configuration angle and why it occurs, in the "Crime and Crime Scene Analysis" section, especially interesting. I think the profile is a useful tool to use as a foundation for the kind of individual we are looking for.

Paul

[Gypsyohara]

Honestly, Paul, John Douglas could say that Lewis Carol was his pick of suspects and I would seriously be considering it.
John Douglas was on a JtR television production (which Peter Ustinov hosted) quite sometime ago. If memory serves, I think 4 or five suspects were offered and the panel had to choose from only those suspects.
I don't think John Douglas' profile has changed dramatically from that program.
I have found his insight into crime scenes, victimology and criminal behavior uncanny.
All that being said, I doubt seriously JtR will ever be properly "identified", because, I believe him to have been more common to Whitechapel.
Unlike other theories, I have read, of late (some on this board), I do believe it to have been the work of one man--and not several murderers.
my 2 scheckles
-Gypsyohara

[Major Kong]

Hey all,
Wanted to get your thoughts about what you think about the FBI profile of Jack the Ripper written by FBI Agent/Profiler John E. Douglas. What do you think we can derive from it? How can we use it as a tool in our search for the Ripper?
I know there are things in there which some may poo poo and some who think profiling is useless. But I would add FBI profilers were instrumental in helping Kansas police to catch Dennis Rader, known as the BTK Killer.

Here is the link for the FBI "Jack the Ripper" profile:

http://vault.fbi.gov/Jack%20the%20Ripper

-Paul