This was grimy 19th c East London, where alleys seemed to be
the only mode of transit.
Some DNA was found on a victim's belongings that has linked
her to a particular Polish immigrant hairdresser.
UPDATE: If you want to see a bio movie about another Polish
killer, check the Iceman (2012). The main character, Kuklinski,
called Pollack, looks very much like the picture above.
But, I digress:
Kosminski was a bit unstable, and he was a suspect, but was never
collared for the crimes. I haven't really had time to study this
but on first listen, the evidence does seem, despite DNA,
to be a bit coincidental. I mean, they found semen on the
shawl of one victim, a hooker.
All that proves is that Kosminski had purchased a hand-job
within the previous 24 hours, or given a particularly
close hairstyle. If there was DNA proof on two
victims, then I would tend to think he's, or was guilty.
Proof [at 55:35]:
Anyway, you decide.
I kinda wanted the royal looney to take the fall.
Forgot his name.
And to think that other people were lynched by mobs
for these attacks.
On a personal note, I worked near that site, teaching,
and I've taught a student named Kosminski. Creepy!
checkit: CBC
Jack the Ripper case solved, according to new book and new DNA evidence
Wednesday, September 10, 2014 | Categories: Features 0
Aaron Kosminski was 23 at the time of the Whitechapel murders. Though a suspect, he was never charged. He spent most of his life in a mental institution, where he died.
The case of Jack the Ripper has been solved, according to a new book called "Naming Jack the Ripper". In that book, author Russell Edwards claims the Ripper's identity was Aaron Kosminski - a schizophrenic, immigrant hairdresser in his 20s who was a suspect at the time. Edwards' theory comes on the heels of many others. This time it's based on forensic DNA.
"We based this analysis on the shawl from the crime scene of one of the victims"
Forensic specialist Jari Louhelainen was able to extract DNA from a bloody shawl belonging to Ripper victim Catherine Eddowes that he says proves that Aaron Kosminski was the Ripper.
"We were able to compare mitochondrial DNA from semen stains shawl to the descendant of Aaron Kosminski, and make the match"
Two stains were identified on the shawl: one blood and one semen. Using mitochondrial DNA, and a maternal descendant of the victim, researchers identified the blood as that of the victim. And then working with a genealogist, author Edwards located a maternal descendant of the suspect, Kosminski, and Louhelainen made the match to the semen.
While he is confident in his results, Louhelainen does acknowledge that there is still room for doubt.
"Because this is mitochondrial DNA can't be as sure as we would be with the modern DNA"
