The dollhouses of death that changed forensic science

Frances Glessner Lee created dollhouses with dead dolls. In this episode of Vox Almanac, Vox's Phil Edwards explains why.

Frances Glessner Lee's "Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death" are part of a new exhibit at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Art museum. The collection is part art, part science, and part creepy peek into the world of forensic science.

These miniatures significantly advanced forensics and forensic science, but they aren't just CSI curios - they're complex, confounding works of art that manage to be morbid and beautiful at the same time.

Lee's legacy bridges both the art world and the world of crime — and you'll get a chance to see exactly how her nutshell studies work. These aren't just dollhouses — they're entire worlds worth exploring.

[aoifemcg]

"Why did she make them perfect?"
They misunderstand the drive of a perfectionist

[funfettirapunzel]

As a miniature artist, I am impressed. As a sensitive baby, I am horrified.

[pearl.s]

Imagine looking at one of the doll houses with one other stranger, and suddenly you hear the person whisper "so that's where I left It.."

[selenasantos]

This is something Sherlock Holmes would get for his daughter.

[alexandernguyen]

This is actually impressive, as creepy and weird as it is.

[fishbuddy]

It'd be fun to shrink down and explore these doll houses, but then I would be afraid of tiny murderers roaming around.

[naomikwan]

imagine how fun it must have been to make these houses

[yyg._owo]

Why do I actually want this- like this seems like a really good thing to have if you’re bored so you can spend your time in solving this instead of wasting your time

[avicennaferdian]

Me: lets watch some relaxing video before bed

YouTube:
*Not on my watch*

[ferociousmaliciousghost]

Girl: Daddy, I want a doll house!
Dad: *Here.*

[MuffinPunk]

I took a forensic science class in high school and previous students created their own dioramas just like this. The next classes created stories and did all the measurements to try and solve the crime. Very interesting assignment and one of the more memorable classes I took for sure.

[carmenhoojiawen]

i deduced that the kitchen death was caused by gas poisoning
because from the few shots I can see the gas stove is on, the windows are locked, the doors are also locked and the small space between the door and the door frame is jammed with paper or cloth or newspaper.
this is fascinating

[lamelight_]

“These cans are all labeled... accurately”
*dun dun*

[austinecrow]

Vox keeps making me interested in things that I never knew existed/ never knew I'd be interested in.

[blgfkrz]

Everybody gangsta until the quiet kid has a doll house like this.

[daakshjain]

CLASSIC AMERICAN STORY:
"They were living the American dream, until the murders happened"

[Kate-Tea]

'you don't commit suicide while you're in the middle of making dinner'

I can't stop laughing at this and I feel terrible for it XD

[eternalbangtan]

Makes me want to study forensic science

[leahbivens]

There’s such a beautiful creepiness to these doll houses, more creepy than some horror media in my opinion

[kettlechipman]

Is it just me or is anyone else scrolling down the comments just to see if anyone “solved” the murder mysteries lol