1.  starter activity
Why are we so fascinated by ‘Jack the Ripper’.  Extension. What can we learn about law and order in Victorian Britain from his crimes?

2. Who was ‘Jack the Ripper’
 Learning objectives
To find out about the formation of the police force
To investigate the identity of JTR

3.  Your task
Read the extract and note down the reasons why the police force was set up.
Give reasons why people were against the police force
 Extension. Write a letter of application for one of the new recruits.

4. The first murder
It is 31 August 1888 a London prostitute called Mary Ann Nichols has been found murdered. Her body has been badly mutilated using a long-bladed knife. Parts of her internal organs have been placed over her shoulder. Some other body parts have disappeared, too. The police have a serial killer on their hands!

5. Scene of Mary Ann Nichol’s murder

6. In September 1888, after a second murder, police receive this letter.

7. More murders!
It is 30 September, 2 more prostitutes have been murdered. ‘Long Liz’ Stride and Catherine ‘Kate’ Eddows are killed on the same night. Police have found graffiti near the body of Catherine Eddows saying, ‘The Jews did it’. Bits of blood-soaked clothing are nearby. Doctors have found that one of her ears, her nose and some of her kidney have been removed.

8. It is 16 October, the police have received another letter
It is 16 October, the police have received another letter. It contains a note and a piece of human kidney.

9. The last victim
It is 9 November. A fifth woman has been murdered. Mary Kelly. She was found inside her own rented room. She is the only vicitm to be found indoors. She has been cut open and her organs placed around the room. Her face has been mutilated.

10. Mary Jane Kelly
Mary Ann Nichols
Annie Chapman
Elizabeth Stride
Catherine Eddows

11. The investigation
It is mid-November The killings have suddenly stopped, but news has spread around the world. Countries as far away as Mexico and Australia are reporting on the murders. The police are under pressure to catch the killer, nicknamed Jack the Ripper. The Queen has said he must be caught quickly.. You have interviewed 2,000 people including the following …

12.  Your task Read the Ripper files your teacher gives you.
Write down this heading, ‘Common features’ and note down information about the Ripper’s identity which witnesses agree on.
Can you disqualify any of the suspects from your enquiries?

13.  Your task
You have key 5 suspects. Put them on trial and then decide who was the most likely culprit.
Dr Thomas Cream
Severin Klosowski
Alexander Pedachenko
M J Druitt
Prince Albert Victor

14.  Extension task
Visit the weblinks page on Studyhistory and find out more about the murders and myths associated with JTR. Read about the other suspects in the crime and produce a wanted poster for the most likely suspect.

15.  Homework
Write a police report on who you suspect the killer was. Refer to the following:
His key victims
Location of the murders
Types of suspects you have interviewed
Most likely murderer

16.  Plenary How did policing improve in Victorian times?
Why were some people opposed to the new police forces?
What does the JTR enquiry teach us about policing in Victorian Britain?