Sidedoor: Murder is her hobby

Heiress, divorcée…mother of forensic science? Frances Glessner Lee was not your average 19th century woman. Using the skills that high-society ladies were expected to have—like sewing, crafting, and knitting—Frances revolutionized the male-dominated world of crime scene investigation. Her most celebrated contribution: 19 intricate dioramas depicting violent murder scenes. In this episode of Sidedoor, we’ll explore Frances’s morbid obsession, and discover why the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery has chosen to put them on display.