One of the frustrating aspects of researching Jack the Ripper suspects is the lack of information. Some of the hundreds of people who came under suspicion are only mentioned once in extant records. Take the case of Friedrich Schumacher who was arrested on 13 September 1888. We only know about this because, two months later, a question was asked in Parliament.

Hansard records that Charles Bradlaugh, the MP for Northampton, asked if the Home Secretary was aware of complaints about Schumacher being forced to sign a paper to secure his release. Mr Matthews replied that Schumacher was arrested by an Inspector for being a suspected person found at Leman Street Police Station and no complaint was made. Schumacher made a satisfactory statement, explaining his presence. He signed voluntarily. The charge against him was recorded correctly but not submitted to a magistrate. Following an investigation by Scotland Yard the Inspector was reprimanded and a sergeant reduced in rank.

On this information there is no reason to suspect Schumacher of being Jack the Ripper. It does suggest that some of police officers involved in arresting suspicious characters at the time of the murders were not following the correct procedures and that raises questions about the reliability and accuracy of their decisions.