Friday, 26th November 2004 (3227 views)

A gold watch may hold the key to the history of the Jack the Ripper cases.

Scientists have analysed a scratched 18-carat gold pocket watch and studied scratched initials on it.

According to the Independent, the watch has "I am Jack" and "J Maybrick" across it, as well as the initials of five of the victims of the killer.

The University of Manchester analysed the timepiece for the watch's current owner and claims the scratchings were not made in the 20th century as was previously thought - suggesting they are real.

Electron microscopy was used to study scratchings and found particles within the initials, which would have to have been made before the 20th century.

The findings support previous similar work by analysts at Bristol University.

 

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