18 Tiny Deaths

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Frances Glessner Lee (1878-1962), born into a wealthy Chicago family, defied societal expectations by becoming a pivotal figure in modern forensics, transforming homicide investigation into a scientific discipline. Under the guidance of pioneering medical examiner Magrath, she gained firsthand experience in forensic science, observing autopsies and learning about poisons and injury patterns. A passionate reader, Lee amassed an extensive library on criminology and forensic science, the largest of its kind. She is best known for creating The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, intricate dollhouse-sized dioramas that depict real crime scenes in meticulous detail. These unique collections garnered acclaim from artists, miniaturists, and scientists alike. Initially used in homicide seminars at Harvard Medical School during the 1930s, her work became integral to a police detective training seminar established by Lee in 1945, which remains the longest-running and most esteemed program of its kind in America. In 18 TINY DEATHS, Bruce Goldfarb intertwines Lee's extraordinary journey with the advancements in forensics during her lifetime, illustrating the evolution of modern forensic science.