5 Amateur Sleuthing Tips

More than 120 years after his crimes, Jack the Ripper has still not been caught. Despite the best efforts of the police and detectives over the years, the identity of the Ripper is not known. There have been countless theories about his identity, ranging from the possible to the outright ludicrous, and many suspects were detained at the time before later being released.

Since the authorities have had no luck in positively identifying the Ripper, many amateurs and budding detectives have tried their hand at getting to grips with the case. Since the Jack the Ripper case files have proved to be so captivating, remaining within the public’s consciousness for many years, it is no surprise that the fascination with the Ripper continues today.

Being an amateur detective takes a lot of work. To help you out, we have put together a quick guide featuring some top sleuthing tips to help you become a pro in no time at all!

Pay Attention to Detail

Take inspiration from the great Sherlock Holmes and train yourself to notice the smallest details about your surroundings. Deep-level observation is key to piecing together the crime and noticing small things about the case that others may have missed. However, it is important to never make assumptions when you are in the process of deduction – many a detective has been foiled by an incorrectly assumed deduction!

Start at the Most Basic Level

When you are presented with a large assortment of facts, it can be incredibly easy to forsake a logical order and just dive straight in. This can lead to an increased reliance upon details and intricacies, while larger, vital elements are overlooked. Therefore, the best way to tackle a complex crime is to begin by addressing and recognising the most basic facts and elements of the case.

Involve All Your Senses

Sight and sound may be your go-to senses, but have you considered the important role your remaining senses can play in determining the facts and establishing more details about the crime? Touch and smell can also be vitally important, helping you to pick up vital clues that you may have missed by using just a limited number of your senses.

Don’t Get Too Close

If you are feeling overwhelmed or struggling with a particularly difficult case, the best thing to do is to take some time away. It may seem counterproductive, but distancing yourself from the immediate surroundings of the case can go a long way towards helping you get some perspective and increase your chances of solving the case. By distracting yourself and doing something else, your mind will no longer be solely focused on the issue at hand.

Be Adaptable

There should be no such thing as a one-size-fits-all, out-the-box type of detective. Solving crimes should be a unique art, not least because no two crimes will ever be the same. You should endeavour to tailor your approach to the task at hand in order to draw as much as possible from each situation and work towards solving the case.

Do you fancy having a go at finally catching Jack the Ripper? Book yourself onto one of our world-class tours to learn all the info you need and try your hand at identifying the killer once and for all!