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Jack The Ripper Coursework Assignment. 3. Source D is the eye-witness evidence of Elizabeth Long, recorded at the inquest into the death of Annie Chapman. It is Long’s description of the man seen talking to Chapman before she died. I feel that this source is very useful because it demonstrates how the ‘Ripper’ might have avoided capture. The accuracy of Long’s statement, regarding the description of the man seen talking to Chapman, is questionable. The man, who may or may not have been the ‘Ripper,’ is poorly described. However, this evidence is still useful in assisting the police, because even a general description enables them to eliminate certain individuals from their enquiries, so that they can concentrate on others. Elizabeth Long appears definite in her first statement regarding both the complexion of the suspect and the hat he was wearing. The clarity of her next statement is questionable however, because she appears to doubt herself. She states ‘I think’ and ‘I cannot be sure’ when referring to the suspects coat. Elizabeth displays a lack of confidence in her ability to correctly age the suspect by stating ‘he was a man over forty as far as I could tell.’ This implies that Elizabeth believes her ability to asses accurately was limited.
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