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James Blackburn
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 3:36 pm: |       |
The introduction to this site suggests that the Ripper's modus operandi involved strangulation until the victim was "unconscious if not dead". Yet a relatively quick internet search suggested that brain death by strangulation could take around 8 minutes, which would be necessary to prevent blood from the neck injury (described as the cause of death in all the contemporary inquests) going everywhere. It appears that only in the Elizabeth Stride case (and doubts exist as to its canonicity, suggesting the modus operandi may have been different e.g. much shorter strangulation period) did blood spurt onto surrounding walls. This suggests that strangulation was employed. But is it realistic to assume that the Ripper strangled his victims for up to 8 minutes before commencing mutilation? I presume the usual injuries this would cause might have been obliterated by the subsequent mutilation of the victims' necks. But nevertheless, it seems the Ripper would barely have had time to cause death by strangulation before the mutilation, all in a public place. Can anyone shed more light on his modus operandi? |
Dan Norder
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 6:43 pm: | |
If you take "unconscious if not dead" and dead "could" take 8 minutes, that doesn't mean the victims were strangled for 8 minutes. Heck, with the victims often being weak and/or drunk, they may have been most of the way to unconscious all by themselves.
I think the descriptions we have of blood spills and spatters from the killings are consistent with unconscious victims. |
David O'Flaherty
Inspector
Username: Oberlin
Post Number: 278
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 3:45 pm: | |
I do believe there was strangulation first, but I'm not sure how it was achieved.
There's an interesting article in the 24 December issue of The Star (thanks to Alex and Stephen for making it available), where the topic of strangulation is discussed. One of the areas that's explored is that a slim cord was used, slim enough so that any evidence of it was obliterated when the throat was cut.
Here's another idea: when Alfred Blanchard claimed to be Jack the Ripper while in a Birmingham pub (Blanchard was not the Ripper), he was asked how he kept the victims from screaming. Blanchard said he achieved this "simply by placing the thumb and finger on the windpipe and cutting the throat with the right hand." (See Birmingham Daily Gazette, 8 October 1888).
I thought this was a goofy explanation (couldn't the victim squirm away, also it seems that there would have been a fountaining of blood if it had been done that way), but I'd be interested in what others think. M.O. isn't really my thing, so I wonder if I'm correct to wholly dismiss the Blanchard Method.
Thanks,
Dave
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Alex Chisholm
Detective Sergeant
Username: Alex
Post Number: 93
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 5:25 pm: | |
Hi Dave
Not me, Guv’nor. I haven’t transcribed Dec. 1888 Stars yet, so someone else provided the 24 Dec. issue on the Casebook.
All the Best
alex
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David O'Flaherty
Inspector
Username: Oberlin
Post Number: 279
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 6:03 pm: | |
Well thank you, whoever and wherever you are. 
Cheers Alex--I hope you're doing splendidly, my friend.
Dave |
Jeff B
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, July 12, 2004 - 2:42 pm: | |
I thought this "8 minute" figure sounded high to me (see below). I think it's even quicker if the victim's heart is racing (which it is apt to do if you are being attacked by someone).
From http://www.dplylemd.com/Questions/fortnight.htm
"Most people believe that strangulation leads to loss of consciousness and death by preventing the victim from breathing. Not so. Strangulation compresses and obstructs the carotid arteries. These are the arteries on either side of the neck that carry blood from the heart to the brain. This is why strangulation can lead to loss of consciousness in a few seconds and DEATH IN LESS THAN A MINUTE while you can hold your breath for 2 or 3 minutes if necessary." |
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