Russell Edwards, writing for the UK's Daily Mail in a story that reads like a case from the TV series Forensic Files or Cold Case, reports Jack the Ripper unmasked: How amateur sleuth used DNA breakthrough to identify Britain's most notorious criminal 126 years after string of terrible murders. Using mitochodrial DNA of a semen stain found on a scarf on one of the victims a forensic scientist was able to match the sample to descendent of Aaron Kosminski, a prime suspect who was a hairdresser in Whitechapel in 1888 where the five murders took place.
A shawl found by the body of Catherine Eddowes, one of the Ripper’s victims, has been analysed and found to contain DNA from her blood as well as DNA from the killer.
The landmark discovery was made after businessman Russell Edwards, 48, bought the shawl at auction and enlisted the help of Dr Jari Louhelainen, a world-renowned expert in analysing genetic evidence from historical crime scenes.
Using cutting-edge techniques, Dr Louhelainen was able to extract 126-year-old DNA from the material and compare it to DNA from descendants of Eddowes and the suspect, with both proving a perfect match.
The case notes show Aaron Komonski was thought to be a dodgy character at the time, even detailing that he practiced "self-abuse," which was a euphemism for masturbation.
He apparently was committed to an asylum for mental infirmities.
Kosminski has always been one of the three most credible suspects. He is often described as having been a hairdresser in Whitechapel, the occupation written on his admission papers to the workhouse in 1890. What is certain is he was seriously mentally ill, probably a paranoid schizophrenic who suffered auditory hallucinations and described as a misogynist prone to ‘self-abuse’ – a euphemism for masturbation.
Well, it's great to finally settle this case, however, from the look of the sketch of the shoemaker suspect, John Pizer, I wouldn't close the books jut yet, as he certainly looks guilty of something.
Hey wait a minute? How do we know this Aaron Kosminski wasn't just a customer of one of the women with the shawl who could have been a prostitute?
Do you know where all of your life-time of mitochondrial DNA emissions are tonight?
4:30 AM PT: I only realize now that I left off an important choice on the poll, "No, I"ve never done anything I'm embarrassed about, or would need to hide!"
You can let us know in the comments if this would have been your choice.