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.
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Follow Phil Edwards on Facebook here: / philedwardsinc1
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.
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[@fatflash6987]

Toy Story: Deleted Scenes

[@dc.pxrecious]

😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣

[@lilmarrz]

@@dc.pxrecious🌽🌽🌽

[@KajunMs39]

Lol!!!

[@trixtrix520]

Rotfl 😂

[@ghuulmei]

God that’s dark xD

[@ferociousmaliciousghost]

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

[@heavenlystar292]

i wouldnt complain 😂

[@dointimefatpig9478]

A Random Rock my dad wouldnt get me a doll house. because he left me 😞

[@zain4019]

dointime fatpig I’m sorry:(

[@harmonium5495]

Welp, if my father bothered this would be the best present ever.

[@ao2415]

Ferociously Malicious Rain bruh it has been arranged, kids would've ruin the whole story

[@aoifemcg8154]

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

[@kyuma401]

Underestimate*

[@williamcaputo7931]

Being a perfectionist, doesn't make you perfect

[@kyuma401]

@@williamcaputo7931 Yes but being dedicated can get you close

[@walnut3865]

666th like :DD

[@beashemmad.sayson545]

@Sam-I-am what feels right might work

[@funfettirapunzel]

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

[@kittycatrittycatalt9523]

Lfmao ikr I make miniature things to

[@metaduarsa9108]

i am the 1k like

[@sadhna7865]

As an alien, nothing affects me. But I love mini architecture.

[@lqf72l96]

As a human im a human.

[@crystalgrapes]

As a person who is not creative, I have nothing to say.

[@krematoryum5533]

A stabbing with... an adorable knife.

[@KimTaehyung-vo8uk]

HAHAHAHAHAHA 😂😂

[@puppyseung4014]

Krema Toryum “OMG WHAT A CUTE KNIFE!”

[@jaymaharjan1830]

😆

[@norabracamonte4244]

I READ YOUR COMMENT WHEN HE SAID IT. SHUT UP

[@slug05]

@@hamster7294 when its an adorable knife.

[@alexandernguyen6917]

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

[@bubbliibiotch931]

I agree

[@icery59]

I love the detail it has, and also how useful they might be

[@rebekahmikaelson1198]

ikr, it must have taken so long to make every single detail completely right

[@queer-ios3155]

The woman who made them was a wonderful person. Look her up, she's fun.

[@irish5755]

agree

[@selenasantos7490]

This is something Sherlock Holmes would get for his daughter.

[@siren7561]

More likes please

[@SnowMenAtWork]

pls say this is a reference to the netflix series

[@astroboy1147]

@@siren7561 no

[@capucinedarrieux7887]

I'd say *if he had one* . if you've read the novels you'll know Holmes would most likely not have a daughter

[@siren7561]

@@astroboy1147 more likes for the Sherlock Holmes comment please not for me please

[@user-bl9gf1kr5z]

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

[@ll1495]

yall better start stayin on that kid's good side then- O_O

[@Drewferran]

On me

[@theonlyrayelle]

Hinata?

[@dadguy8415]

Are you talking about me?

[@aro4322]

Look at this wannabe otaku hah

[@lamelight_4588]

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

[@hankiedave]

*_shooketh_*

[@TisLita]

*spooked*

[@kottonkandy0962]

*shaking*

[@ohmy918]

*shaked*

[@hahasushiwhat9308]

*spoopyed*

[@avicennaferdian438]

Me: lets watch some relaxing video before bed KZbin: *Not on my watch*

[@neonritsu9091]

How about *during*

[@jaein4798]

lmao it's 5 am now i was planning on wathing some asmr to sleep

[@mayao8985]

Lol, it’s 12:18 rn, I’m definitely going to have nightmares

[@humbug-ce9me]

its pretty relaxing

[@lelasharpie889]

KZbin: *Im about to end this whole mans career*

[@pearl.s5483]

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.."

[@ariadnefrolich7243]

You walk away. You walk away and go home and then you call police.

[@princesspeanut3420]

@@ariadnefrolich7243 or you walk away and go home and watch tv 🙂

[@caroline10081]

or even if they said, "I understand now."

[@sqoishicasette]

Wouldn't happen cause these are pretty old so the killer is probably too old or dead 😂

[@kassandra__2705]

Sus

[@daakshjain880]

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

[@monazza_]

Hahaha, thats exactly what came to my mind when I heard this

[@victorrocha5755]

Nah, that's just the typical North American Story. America in itself is worse then this, 'cause we don't live a dream, but an nightmare.

[@diwa7403]

Boomers be like

[@sabrinashelton1997]

@@victorrocha5755 Yeah, nowadays.

[@cindyreed8808]

Dun dun dun.... 😮

[@cornedbread3669]

if the Dolls are dead... well then that means... THEY WERE ALIVE

[@laela6289]

That’s the closest I’ll ever come to being a detective

[@playerboonFactolarin]

r/verysmart

[@adrianasevilla8984]

o h s h i t

[@cornedbread3669]

playerboon1000 Factolarin r/I’m14andthisisdeep yeah I know, Shaming my own Comment.

[@muigogitoultrasonic3947]

This is the story of the beginning of toy story, the dark truth of toy story

[@fishbuddy547]

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

[@epicboxx3838]

ITS 👏 A 👏 DOLL 👏 THAT 👏 DIED

[@johnboic6111]

@@epicboxx3838 👏 it's 👏a👏joke👏

[@unluckypatcher8423]

@@epicboxx3838 r/wooosh

[@moringga432]

u can just step on them

[@leafychild5179]

@@moringga432 r/woooosh

[@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

[@blue_limenade5682]

Tis big brain time

[@fathimathrauha5506]

Now the question is who closed / blocked the doors and why. The windows were locked from inside.. and the door with newspapers.. actually imma stop here. Too lazy to type

[@syafiranasution6996]

@@fathimathrauha5506 perhaps it was winter? And she kinda wants to keep warm

[@losfrail6142]

@@syafiranasution6996 That wouldn't be a rational behaviour to follow, even in wintertime. Especially when one is cooking with gas in a cramped room.

[@syafiranasution6996]

@@losfrail6142 we know that, but does she?

[@naomikwan9250]

imagine how fun it must have been to make these houses

[@afteramooon1637]

Until something tells you "no it's a little to the left" and nobody is there

[@romanalillian]

Absolutely!

[@reyna_mythqueen7618]

@@afteramooon1637 OH MY-

[@Mary_OTT]

@@victoriap9116 it took me a week to make one, my fingers were full of super glue but it was worth it

[@vwomp]

h e h e, *he's dead* h e h e

[@maxskellington910]

And the case remains: u n s o l v e d *Buzzfeed noise*

[@davudlastname2545]

Yes

[@dainah105]

*DUn dun dundunn*

[@kryptoonspoopy8536]

YAS

[@raflamar4146]

*_dUn DuN DDUUUUUUUNNNNNN_*

[@ansjepansje123]

Its ya boi

[@lol_maddyy3631]

*tHe BaBy DiD iT*

[@TopHatHat]

They took my blocks, I took their lives.

[@sagelol2122]

*GaSp*

[@welp4576]

Im just a weeb UwU yes

[@spicyapplejuice9099]

I don't doubt it

[@Will-ql6di]

nobody ever suspects the baby

[@kettlechipman1355]

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

[@g00psc00ps]

I saw a comment a few months back revealing the answer. I only remember how that doll family were solved but i dont remember about the others.

[@doopdoop3894]

Bro I’m scrolling to see if anyone knows where they got this AWSOME MUSIC! I need this in my playlist man!

[@h.cheema7818]

I think the first one, he murdered the wife quietly and when the husband woke up, he fell over the bed in shock before being stabbed.

[@lemon_2287]

@@h.cheema7818 what about the baby?

[@h.cheema7818]

@@lemon_2287 The killer took the baby, it woke up and started to cry, so he stabbed it

[@asiambvi]

6:55 imagine being the only woman in that room 💀

[@cupcakeisgud750]

Its my nightmare💀

[@rakeshswain9249]

The TENSION the in the air would be probably chok3 me

[@MackieLars]

the FEAR

[@MackieLars]

hm. just a quick question, are you a man?

[@anoushkasood4383]

@@cupcakeisgud750 why would it, everyones a human calm down

[@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

[@blackforest_fairy]

@Claire Neilly no then that happens you will either make a Dinner without meat or U will go shopping.

[@twonkae9542]

Claire Neilly wait a second..

[@DellSubi]

It’s okay we all have a dark sense of humor. :) ... Most of us

[@notme9232]

idk u could, probably left the gas on xD and somehow locked the door

[@Beeboop7]

Omg yes, as someone suffering from debilitating borderline bipolar disorder. I definitely feel emotionally different from beginning to middle to end of whatever im doing

[@carmensilvestre1950]

*_A D O R A B L E K N I F E_*

[@lilsputnik4964]

Jake Siđmunsson Billinsting A-Door-Able-Naive

[@Viziry]

No Such Thing

[@gruenkragena.z.4597]

A new meme is born...

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

+Caleb! Don't call it adorable! You don't sound kinky! Just under-endowed!

[@EmployeeJoe630]

K N I F E S T H E T I C

[@yyg._owo1530]

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

[@nanami_akumudeadchannel7115]

Same- I love seeing dollhouses especially when they're detailed cause I like miniature things a lot-

[@chubby_cheesecake_cheeks]

same.

[@reyna_mythqueen7618]

@@nanami_akumudeadchannel7115 yes officer, this comment right here-

[@nanami_akumudeadchannel7115]

@@reyna_mythqueen7618 Did I do something wrong?

[@waterpidez6732]

@@nanami_akumudeadchannel7115 this is police brutality!

[@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.

[@saracurry9981]

Omg that sounds so fun, im in forensics rn and I love it

[@juanmasa16]

we did this same thing, except the teams did their own story and their own measurements. still in the class and enjoying it a lot!

[@ThePieManWorkshop]

theres nothing wrong with a dead doll. its wrong if the doll starts coming to life .

[@babyhilts]

To infinite and beyond!

[@sherbet3310]

Nicō:2 *_came back to life_*

[@mharlanoocorrall6484]

No no no

[@ace-4634]

Well if it killed itself or if it’s dead, that means it was alive right? You can’t kill something if it isn’t alive

[@kurtaskies7893]

exactly

[@thatoneperson1410]

PLOT TWIST the lady who made the doll houses killed them 🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️

[@pamungkastabah8163]

yes she did

[@isagrabowski8126]

Lolol

[@tryingmybest206]

Yeah but she also made them

[@plushlavender2620]

@@tryingmybest206 "I put you in this world and I'm gonna take you right back out of it."

[@joytw9811]

She may have killed them but she want you to find evidence about who killed the doll

[@leahbivens3849]

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

[@banana491]

uhuh

[@pelumiolukoga3136]

Me: hear the words “where the milkman stopped by.” Also me: IT WAS HIM, IT WAS THE MILKMAN. despite not even knowing if someone had died or been killed. The milkman is just sus

[@hehewat6964]

the milkman is always sus

[@Elaine-re1xv]

@@hehewat6964 They wouldn't just include a milk man and point it out for no reason, the milk man has something to do with this but these were designed to have no solution

[@hehewat6964]

@@Elaine-re1xv tru

[@Elaine-re1xv]

hehewat I figured out something in the kitchen, if you look at the woman closely, you see an ice tray. If you searched for more pictures of the scene, you see a puddle of water next to her. Could she have slipped on the ice? You can also tell that she has been dead for quite an while considering all the ice have melted

[@riva9111]

Poor milkman.

[@eternal7bangtan19]

Makes me want to study forensic science

[@gradeavidgames3889]

Spread PositiviTEA LoveIsTheAnswer forensics is fun, but some stuff can be tough

[@Sataykebabz]

Nice profile pic army💜

[@arylbygs2409]

Spread PositiviTEA LoveIsTheAnswer I clicked on it because I want to study forensic science.🤙

[@imthatextrakid8292]

Spread PositiviTEA LoveIsTheAnswer Watch “Forensic Files” on Netflix

[@probablykoya]

@Spread PositiviTEA LoveIsTheAnswer BTS are truly our lives😉

[@nicolepfefferkorn4182]

"Stabbing" and "adorable" do not belong in the same sentence....

[@mynipples9327]

Nicole Pfefferkorn "omg that actor looked sooo adorable in this stabbing scene"

[@ziab2840]

Nicole Pfefferkorn "noo! The stabbing was on an adorable girl"

[@nicolepfefferkorn4182]

It still doesn’t sound quite right....

[@uwotmate87]

that poor adorable girl that visited everyday was sadly stabbed to death.

[@vi0let831]

Nicole Pfefferkorn The adorable, seemingly innocent girl turned out to be a child psychopath who murdered her brother by stabbing him with a kitchen knife in the stomach.

[@matilda4664]

"mom can we have a dollhouse?" "we have dollhouses at home" dollhouses at home:

[@I_want_to_have_a_good_time]

Really?! That joke is not fun here... 😣

[@whatlayscawing5617]

if i had that at home i don't think i would ask for a different one

[@milk-kg2pm]

Yeah I’d be happy to have these ones

[@ghostprince9247]

I wouldn’t even ask for one if I had that!

[@romanalillian]

(THIS ISN’T HATE) As it may scare some people, I find it fascinating how intercut these miniatures are. The tiny potatoes to the little rooms covered in tiny little details. If I received one of these I’d be great full to train my eye to see things and notice things better.

[@EV6CrashCam]

I remember watching the episode of CSI Las Vegas where the murderer made these and left them at the crime scene along with the real life murder. That’s my favourite episode.

[@autocorrectismygf9794]

what episode?

[@iheartdelrey]

I'm currently watching the season with those now

[@iheartdelrey]

@@autocorrectismygf9794 It's several episodes in season 7

[@nunally]

_"there is no 'solution' to be determined"_ me: noooooooooo

[@purrpletiger2159]

If there's no solution to be determined, how is it helping to train people on a real crime? If there's no solution if could just be willy nilly details that don't connect

[@ely_wannadie2551]

PurpleTiger she said its to teach them to notice every detail and every possibility

[@bheatricegreene03]

nana And it remains.... UNSOLVED..

[@tonyasmith2938]

@@purrpletiger2159 I actually read something about these just yesterday. It's not that there is no solution. There is just no solution to be determined from looking at them, and it is not the point of them. The point is to notice the details. As far as I know they have been solved. But the information will not be released to the public as they are still used as training tools today.

[@alphathealpha]

Jotaro best

[@semsemi7308]

"-unexplained deaths" *doll has a knife stuck in the stomach* me: what a mystery

[@WellCookedPotatoes]

She probably drowned

[@kiera__willow7660]

@@WellCookedPotatoes or got lynched

[@NoName-px1mh]

Or choked on well cooked potatoes.. Yeah It just appeared in my mind

[@hairyputter5363]

Or maybe she died of natural cause

[@lumbago9379]

i think she died of old age

[@TinaShmina]

“They were living the American dream, until the murders happened.”

[@sarahperkins2340]

As a miniature builder and lover this is an amazing and exciting opportunity to have a window into a moment of time that otherwise might be forgotten. The woman who designed this exercise is brilliant, to use 1:12 scale to make the point that every small detail has a very large impact on the bigger picture. And can in fact be the detail that can solve a problematic case.

[@namedrop721]

Finally a comment that’s not inane. Yes. She had an immense impact on how forensics function today.

[@AemiliaJacobus]

I kind of want to play with them, but that would be tampering the evidence.

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

"What a pretty little psycho, this girl is"

[@peachy7250]

AemiliaJacobus k but same I could make such a good story line with this I already have it in my head

[@elephantsong7782]

may i tamper with u though

[@ellaxiety7192]

Witty

[@determeg]

I want that too

[@MoonMoonTM]

“A stabbing with… an adorable knife”

[@angelical5386]

-Stan Talent Stan DGNA- my MySpace mini bio

[@anythingwelike1029]

A durable knife

[@welovemusic8542]

😂😂😂

[@juliedelmilka3380]

That was so weird lol

[@mekastayfabsteele5989]

Her attention to detail is untouched. She did such great work, truly amazing and a little scary too.

[@jemp4291]

I honestly love this, like, it's so hecking cool! The idea of using dolls in order to recreate murders is such an interesting concept to me.

[@Liboo52]

This play set looks like a real... *puts on sunglasses Die-O-Rama. “yeeeeeeeaaaaahhhh”

[@masonlee6040]

Get. Out. You're worse than the ending. Jk.

[@Yohannai]

Haha wow that is a good one XD

[@jemoriegolombeski6943]

ali abdullah lol

[@evairine4058]

Horatio references?

[@tabitha8232]

ali abdullah Give this guy an award

[@leyoleyoyochi]

"A stabbing... with an adorable knife"

[@jakefarrugia4604]

PARK JI MIN 😂😂😂

[@lilsputnik4964]

"A Stab-Bing with an A Door-able-Naive"

[@L5940]

It's pretty cute though

[@csillanagy139]

PARK JI MIN *A D O R A B L E* army

[@kpoptrainee6579]

The word adorable lmaooo but hey armyyy

[@naomi_kl7689]

This has been in my recommended for two years, I finally decided to watch it.

[@doopdoop3894]

I’m glad

[@stuckonpeaches]

I love seeing someone talking about the amazing woman because unfortunately not a lot of people know who she was and the importance of what she did for forensic science. She is and was the first C.S.I . It all started with her dollhouses of horror. I hope by spotlighting her more people can appreciate what she devoted her life to. Good job

[@matthew4274]

I was waiting for "Frances Glessner Lee died in 1962 of natural causes... or did she" *Law and order sound effect*

[@TLRPhotographe]

Matthew Newman *Vsauce sound effect

[@rileyroo2381]

That's exactly what I was thinking...

[@dirtypure2023]

Wouldn't it be more appropriate to say, "or did she?"?

[@matthew4274]

Parrot Ox true, thank you for the correction

[@dchia29]

Matthew Newman missed opportunity there

[@jacobdriscoll8276]

What are these? MURDER SCENES FOR ANTS?!

[@caitydid86]

I don't want to hear your excuses! These murder scenes need to be at least...3 times bigger than this!!

[@samharris4684]

Jacob Driscoll Underated comment

[@trueORiGINgaming]

Jacob Driscoll lmao nice reference

[@RobotAnimals]

Whoa whoa whoa I saw this comment before by somebody else same date...

[@xohillary]

😂👌

[@brittanyrussell3905]

I’ve seen these in person and they’re even better! The amount of detail is extraordinary

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Please note: one room took YEARS to make. These days, we have a lot of prefab stuff (like baseboards, railings, stairs...) so a whole house can take 3 years. I know a guy who was working on his house over 20 years! Making all the parquet floor by hand! Biggest house Real Good Toys makes. It is enormous.

[@roboj099]

Seriously though those dollhouses are really detailed man

[@marianasv3334]

The scale factors kind of creep me out

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

All of them are. You'll see these in movies constantly and not even know. Back to the Future had minis. So did Titanic, when the water burst through the hallway and some dining room scenes. The hall was about waist high to an adult, because water is its own scale. And any smaller, would make that obvious...

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

There's a whole magazine about this: Miniature Collector.

[@justsomeonewholiketoreply9737]

They are really detailed

[@austinecrow]

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

[@mricardo96]

I agree, but they also kind of make you interested in only their story, so you never know the other side of the story

[@austinecrow]

Depending on the topic sure, it's up to you to do your own research.

[@truffleshuffle314]

If you want to find some channels that accomplish that to the same effect, check out, AutsinMcconnel, or Wendover productions

[@sucrecube]

I'm angry that I'm the 999th like on your comment.

[@Zeldarw104]

True. I also saw a presentation of this subject on (Mystery@the museum) very interesting.

[@ddivincenzo1194]

Years ago I read an article in "The Boston Globe" on the nutshell case studies. The first line was "Barbie is dead and Ken did it". I had lived in Maryland in the '90s and had known about the dioramas when they were housed in Maryland ME's office.

[@himanshusharma1531]

KZbin literally made me watch this when I was about to sleep. Now I can't sleep.

[@mystique3538]

Congrats

[@nv8522]

Vox dude: Stabbing.... Me: oh god... Vox Dude: ...by an adorable knife Me: WTF dude 😧

[@alejandragonzalez7250]

Hidden_ bun DUUN DUUN DUUN!....

[@steppilariosa6449]

Crying faces

[@rafalswiniarski3866]

*plays with knife cutely*

[@zahur5254]

Vox dude is the killer, looks pretty clear to me.

[@mmmint2688]

aweeee I love ur profile!

[@MyCatEatsPlastic]

*HERE’S EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED IN THIS CASE* Three Room Dwelling: -The husband first shot his wife, leaving the stain in front of her head. - He then walked to the baby’s room and shot the baby, leaving the stain behind it. - He shoots himself, but doesn’t die. - After shooting himself, he leaves the mysterious stain on the baby’s floor. - He steadies himself using the chair in the room, which is why it’s tipped over. (The chair is blurred) - He grips his wound to try and prevent leaving a bloodstain and leaves the room. Gripping the wound leaves blood on his hand. - In the dining room, he stops to take a break and releases his grip, leaving the stain on the ground there. Alternatively, he shoots himself again. - He lets the blood drip as he enters his own room, leaving the footprints. - He loses his footing again and grips the rocking chair, tipping it over and leaving the cluster of prints suggesting he stumbled. - He shoots himself through the head and falls on the bed, which leaves the massive stain across it and brings the blanket down with him. - The two larger stains on his legs suggest he’d shot himself there. Once when he was in the baby’s room, the second time may have been in the dining room. - The crime had to have taken place after the milkman arrived, since the bottles are on the porch and he would have been disturbed by the gunshots. - Or maybe the shots were fired during his arrival, and after placing the bottles he heard the gunshot and stumbled backward, which toppled the blocks that were on the porch. - However we don’t know where the weapon went or the explanation for the smaller stains across the man’s back. Kitchen: - Before leaving for work, the husband knocks his wife out using an object in the room (likely rolling pin or iron) - Since the wife had been holding an ice cube tray, we can make a rough guess as to when the crime happened. The tray doesn’t appear to have any ice in it, so it is either empty or melted. If it’s melted, it happened father back. Depending on when the husband leaves for work, we can assume whether or not he was in the house at the time. (Or maybe it was the heat from the stoves?) - The husband jams the door shut with the paper. The knife near the door could have been used for this. - He turns the stove on and leaves through a window, leaving the tablecloth crooked. - The wife’s cheeks look a little red. It may be makeup, but it could also suggest she suffocated. Edit: Alright, lets try explaining three room dwelling as a murder by an intruder - The intruder shoots the wife and runs to the baby’s room before the husband can react. He then shoots the baby. (He may have left the husband alive since he only had a vendetta against one of the two in the couple - he hates the husband so he shoots the the people he loves most, or he hates the wife so he kills her and her child. Not sure why he wouldn’t kill the husband in that last one, though. Maybe he just didn’t see him under the covers in his rush..?) - The husband follows the sound of the gunshot and fights the intruder. This is where the first shot into his leg is fired, where the chair is tipped over, and where the extra bullet ends up on the floor. It may also be where the bloody prints are left on his back. - The husband realizes he doesn’t have a chance here and grips his leg while running (or doing his best to run) back to his room. - Another shot into his leg is fired in the kitchen. - Once they approach the bedroom, there’s another scuffle that tips the second chair and leaves all the prints. - The husband either goes right to reach the phone or left to get a weapon in a drawer (assuming he has one). - If he goes right, the killer shoots him and wraps him in the blanket to put him back in the bed (an attempt at a red herring, maybe?). The husband rolls out of the bed due to the dead weight, which leaves the bloodstain across the sheets (however it’s a bit too big to have resulted by rolling over). Alternatively, the intruder knocks the husband out by forcing him against the chair. Then he wraps him in the blanket and shoots him while he‘s in the bed. He still rolls over, but the stain is now caused more by the shot itself than by a trail. - If he goes left for a weapon (a more likely explanation), he is shot by the intruder there. He falls on the bed, leaving the stain. The blanket may have been left by him earlier as he got out of bed in a panic. - Our milkman explanation still works, but the disappearing weapon and back prints are explained.

[@grossoldchannel7413]

W o w. This is extremely underrated! Wow... Wow. Amazing job, this is wonderful! You are a very attentive and clever minded person!

[@lexella994]

Rainbow Opal You could become A world class detective

[@AngelLaganzaBuico]

Very questionable deduction. Especially the first one you pointed out, the three room dwelling. I would like to question the others too but im lazy to type and the three room dweling has so much evidence so imma point this one only. Remember, if the husband did shot her, why is the gunshell located between the dresser and the toppled rocking chair? The blood splash was facing the telephone, indicating that she was facing the telephone or using the telephone when she was shot. You can see her position because of the bloodsplash, and the telephone shows that it was being used. Probabbly she was phoning 911. Also, the blood marks on the pajamas indicates that someone with bloodied hands dragged him. The weapon might be the bloodied egg beater and the bloodied spoon in the kitchen, on the bowl that was used to kill the husband That makes your deduction very questionable. It doesnt add up anything at all. Peace sissy!

[@patchanonsoontarodom3364]

Oh! Sherlock

[@MyCatEatsPlastic]

Hey! it's Angel not Athena You rite Didn’t notice those things, thanks for pointing them out

[@touche995]

Is it just me or that I wanna collect some of these items in these “dollhouses” like the chairs and props and stuff... just me alright

[@princesspeanut3420]

Me too, they're so fascinating

[@hazelchae]

i love miniatures so i would really want to but im broke lol

[@catloaf0496]

Doll houses like these always reminds me of that movie "Hereditary"

[@rosethehat2073]

I was thinking the same exact thing! Especially the part where Annie makes a miniature of Charlie and her decapitated head!

[@3p1cand3rs0n]

It was Miss Scarlet in the Library with the candlestick.

[@johnkapersky]

Ah, I was going to say that.

[@zuhayrali4202]

ElyssaAnderson the best thing ive read all day

[@cookiejohnny6324]

ElyssaAnderson this is just wonderful

[@lesbianmort3734]

One Halloween, my family dressed up as Clue Characters. At our party, my little cousin, whose name is Scarlett, walked into our kitchen and picked up a knife. Scarlett, in the kitchen, with the knife.

[@skywolf716]

Lol

[@simongreve]

I wonder if the CSI episodes where a murderer sends miniature doll houses of his/her crime scenes to the police were based off these.

[@Hayatory]

simongreve I was just thinking of those episodes!

[@phoenixmcleod985]

I wanna see these episodes!

[@Hayatory]

Joshua McLeod CSI season 7 episode 1, the whole doll house killer plot lasts until season 9... it is worth watching

[@jkingmarioman64]

yes they are

[@FunkyMonkey-ip4xy]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. Some of the better CSI episodes.

[@carlosr8359]

I need the soundtrack in this video. This video is incredible. A wonderful job of script and editing. And the person honored and her work definitely had a great relevance.

[@svenjasteininger7585]

It's "Orbit", by Christian Garrick

[@sorryifoldcomment8596]

The music is what elevates this video to a solid 10/10. I love it!

[@Wherethebuffelo]

"She died of NATURAL causes." You say it like you have something to hide. Where were you during the 60's?

[@allsmiles3666]

:(

[@whokilledmyego]

:/

[@xoiovan]

:|

[@Mehhhh-]

:\

[@chicksr4f4gs]

:P

[@christophercaldwell5093]

... are they called Nutshells because they can’t be cracked?

[@DreamlandRoses]

Yeah

[@lucerodiaz4738]

ba dum tsss

[@grellswife]

Christopher Caldwell but a nutshell can be cracked

[@khalessi4932]

Christopher Caldwell OMGSBBSNSOSI

[@leo0nn949]

A c k

[@secretdoorgaming2022]

As an artist I am completely in awe of the details and intricate creation of these little pieces of art masterpieces. This woman was far beyond her time she was an artistic genius.

[@Scavenger82]

This reminds me of the Miniature Killer character in season 7 of CSI: Vegas. In the show however, those nutshells were made by the MK to showcase their crimes.

[@mcrem7720]

Vox: There’s no solution, these are merely tools for observing the right things :) Me: but what is the aNsWeRrRr

[@bromptondevice7685]

The solutions are not to be found solely within the dioramas. They are intended as teaching sides so that novice detectives learn how to spot details and gather clues that will then be used in the full investigation. The solutions to the actual incidents relied on using the clues in conjunction with witness statements, detective work, etc. The solutions cannot be made public as that would invalidate the dioramas usefulness as training tools.

[@priscillajimenez27]

Instructor: This test was just to see how you would come up with an answer. Student: Yeah but what's the ANSWER?

[@zucker5310]

@@bromptondevice7685 lol you literally just restated; there is no solution, these are merely tools for observing the right things. But with bigger words. SHE KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS.

[@bromptondevice7685]

@@zucker5310 so why did she ask what the answer was? Unless she replies, we will never know, just like the dioramas.

[@bleh1569]

@@bromptondevice7685 Dude they know, they are just saying that they're really frustrated that they don't know the answer.

[@Turkeyinthehay]

This is fascinating. I'd love to see a full length documentary on Frances and these doll houses!

[@nalani5333]

me too! this is just so interesting

[@moofynoofy4630]

I think this may be one kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooWwon9-f7eEmrc

[@eggwaffle8496]

Same

[@tweetycat6341]

most realistic doll houses i have ever seen

[@danielhainline8882]

How about a big screen bio pic about her with Meryl Streep as her?

[@angryflirbs5678]

I saw these in the Maryland Medical Examiners office during a forensics conference! They were incredible. I wish I had had more time to look them over.

[@mistybehaviours]

It always fascinating how artist can make these tiny houses with so much detail and make them so realistic. Absolutely amazing

[@Legalisenuclearbombs]

This toy is olny approved for ages... Dead and older

[@ethanha8942]

Danielius Buracevskis h

[@bingbonghafu]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@tainadelcaribe]

I thought that was originally yours until I watched the whole thing! I burst laughing and I think I scared my dog!! LOL

[@noahpaigeofbreath7715]

Only

[@schwellenangst1605]

Aww man i was hoping i could get it for Chrismas

[@LisaMichele]

Everything about these dollhouses and the way this was filmed and narrated is beautiful...well done Vox!

[@erictaylor5462]

I agree. But creepy. Of course it was meant to be creepy. And then they wrecked it with the ending.

[@rickrose5377]

LA Fresh Life One of Chicago's most famous landmarks is Glessner House, an H.H.Richardson mansion that was built on the near South Side for Frances Glessner Lee's father, who started the company that became International Harvester. Interestingly, there is in the Art Institute of Chicago, a famous collection of dioramas, the Thorne Rooms, which are meticulously detailed rooms depicting interiors from different historical periods and countries. These were all crafted between 1934 and 1940. This is right before Chicago-native Lee began crafting her 'nutshells'. One has to wonder if she knew of the Thorne Rooms, and if they were in any way an inspiration.

[@LisaMichele]

rick rose Very interesting

[@LisaMichele]

Out Of Place Ninja XD

[@0rluh]

they were amazing to see in the gallery. It was like a bunch of giant people solving tiny murder mysteries.

[@annazhou4672]

I want a whole series on this please, I keep coming back to it!

[@schmittyconstanz]

She clearly was an artistic genius .forward thinking in forensic analysis.A brilliant mind ,an artist who captures the minutiae of enviroment in absolutely beautiful period detail .A woman truly worthy of a documentary.

[@IndianaBananas]

When you have a love for miniatures but also murder

[@weirdowithnobeirdo2.o533]

IndianaBananas, Ikr! I am so that person!

[@iamthenight3980]

Yup😂👏👏

[@smellylily]

That's so me XD

[@SlaveofChrist1]

You love murder?

[@torwikstrom3159]

That must be one of the best endings to a Vox video ever.

[@Orbrun]

worst*

[@torwikstrom3159]

Wait, I've changed my mind. This one is better. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3nVo52HYt-JhZI

[@StandingLeaf]

Yeah.

[@graypaint]

it was p cringe terrible and vox should be embarrassed

[@RedStallion2000]

I wish I could watch it to the end. Every time I try, I give up because of the absolutely horrible narration :(

[@OhKayGood]

The Precision and Artistic side of this is Amazing 🥲

[@WienGolf]

These dioramas are so interesting! I can imagine the forensic fun it must have been to create them. They are puzzles but never been solved. That’s what makes life.

[@zeromailss]

in the future, or maybe now... can we use VR to do a simulation like this one??

[@raccoonchild]

I need these in VRchat.

[@weirdowithnobeirdo2.o533]

にゃあエイリアンMeowAlien, That would be awesome!

[@y2k1998]

It's called L.A Noire

[@cherryparfaes]

I agree with the commenter above. L.A. Noire is a great video game to play if you like solving mysteries, only you play as a cop who gets promoted to different positions as the cases get harder. Not only will it test your observation skills, but there are also times where you interrogate both the suspect, the victim or the bystander to come up with the conclusion to the case. As you progress into the game, you’ll also get to experience the backstory of the cop you play as :D There’s a playable VR version to the game if that’s what you’re looking for.

[@cmen6895]

AR, my friend.

[@wsphh2692]

this how melanie’s song “dollhouse” be like

[@daisannobakudanbiteszadust8563]

*d o l l h o u s e i see things that nobody else sees*

[@heartbuan5771]

+ sippy cup vibes

[@TenxIjd]

don't let them see what goes down in *THE KITCHEN*

[@Shijaru64]

what X is like*, not ''how''.

[@helloiamtiredallthetime.631]

It also reminds me of Chloe Moriondo’s Kindergarten.

[@michellethole]

I loved the 99% invisible podcast episode 165 on Frances Glessner Lee. They talked about these miniatures and her story is so fascinating. Thank you for the close-ups of these harrowing but fascinating dollhouses.

[@succ3861]

the music is like, *duN dUn Dun dUn dUn Dun*

[@doopdoop3894]

Ikr... and I freaking love it!

[@austinsantiago7366]

Ok but the music in this is amazing

[@spicyapplejuice9099]

Ikr!

[@teagannam]

Honestly YES, Vox’s video editing & curation are amazing and this is the best example yet!

[@laela6289]

Austin Santiago I was thinking that this entire time

[@solocomics1820]

Duh! I:D

[@arsonsnail]

3rd 666th like today.

[@fajarsetiawan8665]

the music is amazing though

[@junepassingthrouthegate8810]

fajar ahmad setiawan Indeed.

[@seija3968]

I NEED TO FIND THE NAME

[@channelkerr]

Sounds a lot like Jim Guthrie - "The Fantabulous World Of Jimmy 3 Guts" around the 6:00 mark

[@andrewesty]

spaghettib0i dude, thank you for sharing that artist. Im digging his early work a lot!

[@Flo-jn9hu]

www.apmmusic.com/albums/PMY-0033

[@jessicaallen3034]

Anyone remember the episode of CSI when Grissom and the team would find one at each murder, then get a clue to the next doll house? They had to figure out the scene before the murder.

[@davebeach2343]

These are yet another example of what the human mind can accomplish. Their obsessive details caused a significant change in the methods used by investigators trying to solve cases of murder, which makes for a better society. Getting police to search for those that actually committed the crimes, rather than just arresting those that they were suspicious of, and then fitting facts to fit their suspicion. Truly artistic creations and teaching tools. Amazing

[@xXHatsuneMikuFanXx]

this sounds like a _great_ date idea to me

[@cheesecakelasagna]

Now finally a museum date can be interesting!

[@wellesradio]

CheesecakeLasagna You don't have cool museums where you live?

[@lvdergrlslowerrsmv5529]

Haahaahaa!

[@pauneezsadri4489]

raye i

[@charity9660]

raye maybe after y’all are already together nothing for new people

[@austinsantiago7366]

🚨🚨I FOUND THE MUSIC🚨🚨 Artist- Christian Garrick Album-Violin: Motion Tracks- Time Lapse, Orbit, Synergy, and Race to the Finish I found it on Apple Music, enjoy!!

[@SplatterPaintMLPv6803noC]

Thank youuuuu!!!

[@chizusakuraa]

Thank you sooo much! 🤘

[@lahela4917]

You’re awesome. Thank you ❤️

[@alaaye5237]

Thanks!

[@Vahletrizha]

Thank you!

[@kshethramohan4450]

All I can think of is Sherlock solving them like it’s a child’s play

[@Moccason]

"mom I want to see a real crime scene!" - "we have a real crime scene at home." crime scene at home:

[@reyamathur2146]

Ok but why would your mother say we have a real crime scene at home? Like why?

[@yoshino2880]

@@reyamathur2146 that's sus

[@elky360]

The ending is incredibly frustrating. It like when your teacher used to tell you before a test that "there are no right or wrong answers".

[@Crow7878]

There are right answers. The problem is that these are still used for training so the answers of "what happened?" are kept secret by the Medical Examiner. You can only learn the answers by becoming the Medical Examiner, that, or by enrolling in a class done in collaboration with Medical Examiner to use the Nutshells as learning aids.

[@lfle9933]

No one: Frances Lee: *I* *can* *make* *toys* *based* *on* *actual* *deaths!*

[@lilanaghinost1854]

*BEAUTIFUL*

[@emilyroche2916]

🤣🤣🤣

[@jenny6536]

your 1,000 like, i'm proud

[@Name-kj3mv]

IM LIKE NUMBER 1K

[@jenny6536]

@@Name-kj3mv huh?

[@mcdonaldsemployee3732]

“A stabbing with a ..... adorable knife” 😳 well it is a pretty adorable knife I guess

[@katie-st8nx]

She used her wealth to put her time and dedicate her life in a way nobody else would be able to. I commend her incredible spirit and accomplishments!

[@heyLORDitsme]

i still need answers! who killed the little family?!

[@MamaWantsWafflesHub]

Just Ash what I think happened was that the father got enraged when he found out the wife cheated on him with the milk man resulting in him killing his baby, his wife and then himself.. that's what I think

[@drearyplane8259]

MamaWantsWaffles To me it looks like the man was stabbed and pushed off his bed.

[@tsukirunsu9982]

I think it has to do with the milkman or something

[@Deelber28]

The milkman breaks in, goes into the babies room, kills the baby but makes more noise than anticipated, The dad then goes into the baby room and gets stabbed there explaining the pool of blood and the stains going into the parents room, wife is a heavy sleeper and sleeps through it all including her own murder

[@mkj-9743]

I think that there was poison in the milk which is why there were empty bottles outside the door, as well as why there's a pool of blood with no footprints because everyone was coughing up blood

[@pamelaia]

8:05 "This toy is only approved for ages... For dead and older."- Music:*YAHHHHHHHH*

[@verosie3313]

This deserves more likes😂😂😂

[@pamelaia]

@@verosie3313 Aww thank you!!!

[@br0ccoli]

Lmaiisoskdk 😂😂

[@madamelegbee6029]

I was *looking* so *hard* for someone else who saw that part too- I spit out my drink when I saw that part

[@lilanaghinost1854]

*YAHHHHHHHH*

[@mostafawasif6827]

1:56 they were living an american dream until the murder happen !HAPPY MUSIC!

[@doopdoop3894]

HAHAHAHAHA

[@SeaJay_Oceans]

Beautiful minitures. Grim topic, but you can truly appreciate the art work and craftmanship and time that went into every detail.

[@user-ld4qt6ci7b]

What are these, murders for ants?

[@leira99k]

Томас Андерсон Yes. The big blood splotch is a bunch of hiding red ants.

[@elleboogie]

This comment is great.

[@mundotaku_org]

ants are the murderers !!!

[@thesonica1]

Томас Андерсон Nope, Antman.

[@iBelieveEverythingiSeeOnYoutub]

ha, most of these replies don't get the reference.

[@JacobTyo]

Who else here just wants to know story behind the actual murders? I'm too curious.

[@sage1461]

there is no real solution. remember ????

[@aurahhx]

TheRisky9 damn you didn’t have to write a whole book

[@TheRisky9]

Sorry. Can't help myself sometimes.

[@sel4205]

TheRisky9 your comment was interesting.

[@s731s]

TheRisky9 interesting! Anddd also kinda said to me, i hate stories that don't have a concrete ending lol. I'm the kind who needs closure lol. I was leaning towards someone trying to stage her murder as a suicide and somehow escaped through a window and jarred it, perhaps even her own husband...i watch too much tv lol.

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

I think these are amazing, the detail in these 'nutshells' is the kind of thing most miniaturists aspire to. I love them. I want to know where she found all the wallpaper prints and fabrics that look true to scale, before printers and the dollhouse scale paper etc was something you could find.

[@sayshutuptomeifgay3374]

And i thought my sims household was a dollhouse of death...