What Was JTR Afraid Of?

[Tani]

In terms of being caught, Jack would not have been afraid of DNA evidence, modern geoprofiling, blood analysis or sniffer dogs.

What would he have been avoiding and in fear of from 19th c. police?

[Enigma]

Hi Tani, we can only guess at JtR's state of mind, however, in no particular order I imagine the following may have concerned him.

- caught in flagrante delicto
- identified by a witness who saw him with a victim prior to any of the murders
- observed with incriminating evidence, such as bloodstains or carrying a 'trophy'

Though he was brazen. The chance he took at Hanbury Street at being observed or cornered was outrageous so he evidently exhibited little fear of capture.

What do others think?

Regards, Gazza

[Tom_Wescott]

Hi Tani. As Gazza says, his primary fear would have been getting caught in the act, followed by seen by witnesses and identified. It's no mystery my Polly Nichols was killed in Bethnal Green - the police weren't particularly active, whereas the area around George Street/George Yard was crawling with police and vigilantes after Tabram. Hanbury Street was apparently void of police. We'll recall how Davis, Kent, and the other men failed to attract attention for some time by screaming 'Murder!' and 'Police!' It's no surprise the Ripper got away clean. When it was too hot in Whitechapel, he scoped out St. Georges in the East and the City, just over the boundary line. Again, not a coincidence. He was probably not the sharpest tool, but he was no idea. And he was lucky.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott