The Hunt for Jack the Ripper

Today, there are web sites, organizations, and even a quarterly scholarly journal devoted to decoding clues left back in 1888 that baffled police engaged in the most massive manhunt in England's history: the search for Jack the Ripper. This episode from The History Channel's History's Mysteries series looks at the deaths of the women supposedly killed by the Ripper (there is controversy over how many victims can be attributed to Jack), as well as how London was rocked by the political, sociological, religious, and moral repercussions of the killings. Police were accused of bumbling case after case, despite the fact that they had hundreds of bobbies patrolling the streets of Whitechapel every night. Foreigners were eyed with suspicion when some 'eyewitnesses' claimed to have seen a foreign-looking man with a prostitute who was later found mutilated. The Americans got into the act by ridiculing the practices of Scotland Yard and then recoiled with righteous anger when it was suggested that a Yank might be the elusive Ripper. The name "Jack," by the way, came from the killer, himself, and was used to sign the taunting letters he sent to the police. Sure to appeal to those with an interest in the macabre, this comprehensive look at one of history's most fascinating crime cases is recommended. Aud: P. (J. Carlson)