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A 23-year-old Polish barber called Aaron Kosminski is likely to have been the infamous killer Jack the Ripper, scientists claim.

Jack the Ripper infamously murdered at least five women in the Whitechapel area in 1888 and was never caught.

But now over 100 years later, researchers from Liverpool John Moores University say they have carried out the “most advanced study to date regarding this case”, using the “only remaining physical evidence linked to the murders” – DNA found on a shawl next to the mutilated body of one of the serial killer’s victims they claim has proved a match to the barber.

The shawl the scientists analysed was found next to the killer’s fourth victim, Catherine Eddowes, and is speckled with what is claimed to be the blood and semen of the killer.

The young man had lived with his two brothers and a sister in Greenfield Street, 200 yards away from where his third victim, Elizabeth Stride, was found dead, it is claimed.

Researchers behind the investigation published their findings in the Journal of Forensic Sciences. They wrote: “We describe for the first time systematic, molecular level analysis of the only surviving physical evidence linked to the Jack the Ripper murders.

“Finding both matching profiles in the same piece of evidence enhances the statistical probability of its overall identification and reinforces the claim that the shawl is authentic.”

Scientists were able to take DNA tests from the shawl after they were contacted by the owner of the historical item.

Russell Edwards, 48, had bought the item of clothing in an auction in 2007.

Mr Kosminski had previously been linked to Jack the Ripper five years ago when Dr Jari Louhelainen studied the same shawl.