Rigor does not set in quickly it is a chemical process which takes between 3 and 4 hours to start. It is gradual and is normally complete after 12 hours and disapears some 48 hours later. The process depends on temperature, body weight and blood loss.
For the ripper case you are thinking of Jean Jordan. She did not die holding a £5 note. It was concealed in her handbag about 100 feet from the body. She was not in rigor when she was found. She was in a terrible state having been dead for days and Sutcliffe had returned to find his £5 and hacked the remains to bits in rage.
you are right about the fiver being in her handbag...He broke her fingers didn't he, thinking she was still holding it...
I'm not on about rigor mortise Hourglass...I'm on about when someone dies in fear, there is a name for it and because of this RM sets in quicker....I have read about and posted about it, but I have forgot what they call it. For example is someone died in fear and was holding a piece of privet, the grasp would be very tight....and they would still be holding the privet when found.
