A blood-stained Ripper, or not?

[Sam Flynn]

Hi Observer,

how would he know to what extent the blood would come gushing out of her throat? How would he know how to avoid that gush, surely this only comes with experience.

The fact that blood spurts from a cut blood vessel would in all likelihood have been generally known to most people at the time. In fact, it's probable that knowledge of this phenomenon had been widespread since the dawn of mankind, either through personal observation of human wounds, executions or the slaughter of animals. Where blood-jetting had not been directly observed, the fact that it did would have been transmitted by word of mouth, or in popular literature.

In terms of knowing "how" to avoid the gush, it can't be ruled out that he would have avoided most of it anyway, simply by being on the opposite side of the cut when he inflicted the wound - which he almost certainly would have been.

Hi Kensei,

I realize that the severed arteries would allow the blood to flow out from the body and organs rapidly, decreasing the amount of blood left in her vessels and organs. And that he may have avoided arterial spray, by directing the flow away from him by adjusting her head position.

That doesnt mean he doesnt have to worry about stepping in the blood, or having some on his hands and cuffs when he reaches inside the victim.

As you mentioned, Kate is the best example of the outdoor victims to use when "assessing his messing", as she had the greatest number of wounds for the outdoor victims, and lost 1.75 organs, roughly what Annie lost.

If Kates killer didnt at least get blood on his hands and cuffs I would be very surprised, and we do a first with Kate that may be a result of that blood on him...the apron piece.

Marys killer might have needed a car wash or a bed sheet to clean off, he might even have had to change clothes while in the room,... but Kates killer, perhaps only a rag.

Best regards.

[Observer]

Hi Ken

I've always wondered if the Ripper was capable of escaping the initial gush of blood from his victims throat wounds. I've heard arguments put forward here in this Forum that the Ripper directed the body away from himself thus avoiding any serious drenching with blood. Reading Sam's link informs me that escaping blood from a severed carotid can spurt 12 feet, 12 feet, and can last for a few seconds.

Is it possible for the blood to spray in all directions?

I would suggest that even taking the neccessary avoidance of standing away from the severence the killer would still run the risk of being covered in blood for are all cuts of an even nature? And what of the first victim Nichols? If this was the killers first victim how would he know to what extent the blood would come gushing out of her throat? How would he know how to avoid that gush, surely this only comes with experience.

all the best

Observer

[Sam Flynn]

Hi Ken,

Bear in mind that a significant volume of blood will have first whooshed out, thereafter pulsed and oozed out, via the victims' severed carotid artery(s). Whilst Jack set about opening the abdomen, moving the intestines out of the way etc., there would have been ample time for most of the blood to have drained away via the throat wound. Comparatively little residual blood would have remained in the victim's body by the time he came to remove the abdominal organs.

There is a very detailed article here which may be of interest.

[kensei]

After a few years of studying the case I have read several opinions on how the Ripper could have avoided having to flee the crime scenes drenched in blood- strangling the victims first, then kneeling on the side opposite from where the blood would flow as he cut the throats, etc. And anyone who's watched enough episodes of "CSI" knows that bodies that have been dead for only a short time don't bleed much anymore when cut into. The heart has stopped, the blood isn't flowing and is settling. It all makes sense scientifically.

But sometimes, on a purely practical level, I really have to wonder if it might be easier said than done. We are talking about a man who not only cut the throats of prone victims and then cut open their abdomens, but reached into the body cavities and plucked out internal organs, then secreted those organs somewhere on his person before making his escapes. Catherine Eddowes is perhaps the most extreme example, found eviscerated only nine minutes after being last seen alive. Others on the forum have stated that her murder and mutilation could have been accomplished in four to five minutes. Surely the removal of her uterus and kidney in such a short time would have been an extremely bloody affair.

Several witnesses described a suspect wearing a dark coat. I just wonder if Jack making his escapes unnoticed had more to do with blood stains on a dark coat not being noticeable in the dark than with not being bloodstained at all.