Forensics Journal - Stevenson University 2013

STEVENSON UNIVERSITY About the Cover: The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death Stephanie Witt Over the last few centuries, there have been numerous technological advances in the field of forensics, death investigation, and law enforcement. However none are as beautiful, yet disturbing as Francis Glessner Lee’s creations titled, “The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death.” Created in the 1930’s and 1940’s, these three dimensional models were used in training law enforcement to investigate crime scenes by methodically searching for and analyzing evidence on dollhouse sized dioramas. Depicted in the cover photograph is the nutshell titled, “Three-Room Dwelling”. This specific nutshell represents a bloody crime scene in which a man and woman are found dead in their bedroom. The immense detail that Francis Glessner Lee incorporated into these nutshells is evident throughout the model. While these nutshells were created nearly seventy years ago, their message and value still hold relevance in the field of death investigation today. were of no issue, she spent her days designing, building, and perfecting the nutshells. She hired a carpenter to build the nutshells to scale (1-inch to 1-foot) and she fashioned the items found throughout the models. Twelve of the nutshells are three sided rooms, including a roof and an open fourth side for viewing (Botz, 32). Five of these models were built as freestanding models, which included interior and exterior rooms. Immense detail went into every aspect of the crime scene, whether the details were important to the crime or not. Outside gardens contained tiny flowers, kitchens contained miniature labeled cans and food products, and windows had working hinges and locks. Lee even hand knit stockings for the dolls using straight pins. Her fear was that inaccuracy would prevent the investigators from taking her working seriously and, thereby diminishing the value of the assignment (Botz, 33). No detail was too insignificant and each required investigators to think critically about evidence found at a crime scene. FRANCIS GLESSNER LEE Born in 1878 to a wealthy family, Francis Glessner Lee was blessed with a luxurious home life and elite social status (Ramsland). Her father, John Jacob Glessner, obtained his wealth from the agricultural machinery and equipment manufacturer, the International Harvester (Ramsland). Despite her high-class upbringing, domestic influence, and expectation to become a proper woman, Lee favored a more rewarding and accomplished life. Her interest in law and medicine developed at an early age; however, she was prohibited from pursuing higher education, as she was expected to uphold the family social status. She married attorney Belwett Lee in 1898, had three children, and eventually divorced in 1914 (Botz, 23). During this time, she continued to yearn for a more fulfilling and significant existence. Despite her strong passion to pursue an education and become involved with legal medicine, the expectations of her family hindered this path. Her interests turned more specifically to crime investigations as a result of her friendship with Harvard medical student, George Magrath. Hearing stories of true crime and complaints that the coroner, police, and investigators were poorly trained in the investigation of such crimes, she developed a strong desire to make an impact in this field. Not meant to serve as “whodunit” scenarios, these models were instead created to provide a deeper analysis of evidence found at a crime scene and the questions that should be asked by investigators to gain more information (Botz, 29). Circumstances in accidents, homicides, and suicides can parallel each other creating difficulty in differentiating the type of crime, especially if evidence found is taken at face value only. Evidence that may seem insignificant may provide deeper insight to the circumstances surrounding the crime if reviewed carefully and in proper context. While evidence may appear exacerbating upon first glance, it may in fact hold no importance if further investigated. The nutshells were developed with these aspects in mind. They included minute clues, which would require law enforcement officers to adopt an investigative

Forensics Journal - Stevenson University 2013 | Page 3