◆ SpookStack

Some criminologists and behavioral scientists have written in the past that subjects will maintain their modus operandi and that is what links so-called "signature crimes." This conclusion is incorrect. A subject will change his modus operandi as he gains additional experience. This is learned behavior. However, the personal desires and needs of the subject are expressed in the ritual aspect of a crime. The ritual is something that he must always do because it is the acting out of the fantasy. With Jack the Ripper, the target selection, the approach, the method of his initial attack, are his modus Operandi. What takes place after this is the ritual. The ritual may become more elaborate as-was in the last homicide case. Here, the Ripper had time to act out his fantasies. As investigators, we should not necessarily expect the same type of homicides in the future, particularly if subsequent victims are killed outdoors. Once again, he would not have the time to carry out all of his fantasies and consequently mutilation will not be as advanced. COMMUNIQUES ALLEGEDLY RECEIVED FROM THE RIPPER Another aspect of this case worth mentioning was the communiques allegedly received from Jack the Ripper. It is quite rare when a serial murderer of this type communicates with police, media, family, etc. When they do communicate, they generally provide specifics relative to the crime that only are known by the subject. In addition, they generally provide information relative to their motivation for committing such a heinous crime. It is my opinion that this series of homicides was not perpetrated by someone who set up a challenge against law enforcement. While the killer knew he would be receiving national as well as international publicity, this was not his primary motivation. In summary, I would not put emphasis on the communiques during this investigation. However, I would develop an investigative technique with the goal in mind to identify the author of the communiques. OFFENDER TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS These homicides are referred to as Lust Murders, Roy Hazelwood and I wrote an article several years ago which appeared in the FBI's Law Enforcement Bulletin. The word "lust" does nor mean love or have any sexual meaning, other than the fact that the subject attacks the genital areas of his victims. The vaginal area and breasts are the focal point of attack in a woman and the penis and scrotum are the attack area of the male offender. Generally, males who are attacked in this fashion are victims that were involved in a homosexual relationship.