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. Help us make more ambitious videos by joining the Vox Video Lab. It gets you exclusive perks, like livestream Q&As with all the Vox creators, a badge that levels up over time, and video extras bringing you closer to our work! Learn more at Follow Phil Edwards on Facebook here: 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. Subscribe to our channel! is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what’s really driving the events in the headlines. Check out to get up to speed on everything from Kurdistan to the Kim Kardashian app. Check out our full video catalog: Follow Vox on Twitter: Or on Facebook: