Police Procedures at the Crime Scenes

[DiGregorio]

Just for clarification, I'm working on a project and am trying to keep everything as historically accurate as possible. I'm working on the Mary Ann Nichols murder right now, and have run through the inquest transcripts, so I do have some basis from which to start. I was just hoping to fill in some blanks. Thanks again for all of the great information!

[Wickerman]

There is no word on whether the police stationed a constable at McCarthy's back door, to prevent unscrupulous types from attempting to by-pass the passage by going through McCarthy's shop.

[DiGregorio]

So many rabbit holes...

Thanks, everyone, for your replies thus far. Very interesting.

[Wickerman]

That wasnt true though,
At least one Reporter was let in let in and wrote a full description of the room that was printed the next day..
Although he wasnt from the Star..

There is more than one article describing the contents of the room, why they are not the same, should be your first question.
A reporter could have asked neighbors, or Bowyer, McCarthy, or others.

The St. James Gazette published this, on the 10th.
"...the room, which is about 12 ft. square, was poorly furnished, there being only an old bedstead, two old tables, and a chair in it. The bedclothes had been turned down,.."

The Daily Telegraph wrote this on the 10th:
"...In this room there was a bed placed behind the door, and parallel with the window. The rest of the furniture consisted of a table and two chairs..."

One table, two chairs, or two tables and one chair?
Was he there or wasn't he?

[spyglass]

Also, with regard to the Millers Court murder, we have:

"...the police have devoted themselves energetically to the task of preventing other people from knowing anything. The row of policemen who during the greater part of yesterday blocked Dorset-street had been withdrawn last night, but the entrance to the court - which is variously known as Miller's-court or McCarthy's-court - was vigilantly kept by two constables, who allowed no one to pass except by special favor, and showed especial zeal in the exclusion of reporters."
Star, 10 Nov. 1888.

There reports of journalists gaining access to the roofs of houses that overlook Millers Court because the police wouldn't let them in.

That wasnt true though,
At least one Reporter was let in let in and wrote a full description of the room that was printed the next day..
Although he wasnt from the Star..

[DiGregorio]

I imagine so! I know a few people who got lucky on mine!

[Scott Nelson]

Well, I got lucky with one person.

[DiGregorio]

I always make it a point to ask authors of new books for a complimentary copy.

As a musician who has been hit up for many a complimentary copy of my albums, I just can't...

[Scott Nelson]

I always make it a point to ask authors of new books for a complimentary copy.

[DiGregorio]

you could start a thread of 20 best ripper books.! then your get excellent recommendations.

LOL - My paycheck can't handle those recommendations!

[milchmanuk]

Excellent point, Scott. Thanks! Neil's book is on my things-to-buy-on-payday list, so I will definitely be checking that out.

you could start a thread of 20 best ripper books.! then your get excellent recommendations.

[milchmanuk]

Excellent point, Scott. Thanks! Neil's book is on my things-to-buy-on-payday list, so I will definitely be checking that out.

try eBay save your pennies,, i bought two books of paul beggs last night for five pounds fifty ! with postage. library ticket comes to more than that if out of date.

[DiGregorio]

Also, with regard to the Millers Court murder, we have:

"...the police have devoted themselves energetically to the task of preventing other people from knowing anything. The row of policemen who during the greater part of yesterday blocked Dorset-street had been withdrawn last night, but the entrance to the court - which is variously known as Miller's-court or McCarthy's-court - was vigilantly kept by two constables, who allowed no one to pass except by special favor, and showed especial zeal in the exclusion of reporters."
Star, 10 Nov. 1888.

There reports of journalists gaining access to the roofs of houses that overlook Millers Court because the police wouldn't let them in.

Thanks, Jon!

[DiGregorio]

You should check out "Capturing Jack The Ripper -- In the Boots of a Bobby in Victorian London" by Neil R. A. Bell. Neil is an occasional contributor on this site. His book has quite a lot of detail on police beats and securing crime scenes.

As an aside to this, look at the photograph of the outside of Mary Kelly's room showing the two broken windows. It presumably was taken the day of her murder before the windows were boarded up. If so, the police had exercise considerable crowd control to allow the photographer to complete his work.

Excellent point, Scott. Thanks! Neil's book is on my things-to-buy-on-payday list, so I will definitely be checking that out.

[Ms Diddles]

You should check out "Capturing Jack The Ripper -- In the Boots of a Bobby in Victorian London" by Neil R. A. Bell. Neil is an occasional contributor on this site. His book has quite a lot of detail on police beats and securing crime scenes.

As an aside to this, look at the photograph of the outside of Mary Kelly's room showing the two broken windows. It presumably was taken the day of her murder before the windows were boarded up. If so, the police had exercise considerable crowd control to allow the photographer to complete his work.

Agreed!

I'd recommended that book to Milchman recently in relation to his queries about the police net.

It's a good read too as I recall.