18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics by Bruce Goldfarb

Meet Author Bruce Goldfarb:

"Bruce Goldfarb is the executive assistant to the Chief Medical Examiner for the state of Maryland, US, where the 'Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death' are housed. He is the public information officer for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and trained as a forensic investigator.

Bruce began his career as a paramedic before becoming an award-winning journalist reporting on medicine, science and health. Through his work with the Nutshell Studies, Bruce earned the trust of Frances Glessner Lee's family and caretakers of her estate, and was designated Lee's official biographer." ~Amazon

Bruce Goldfarb Website

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"Eye-opening biography of Frances Glessner Lee, who brought American medical forensics into the scientific age...genuinely compelling."—Kirkus Reviews

"A captivating portrait of a feminist hero and forensic pioneer." —Booklist

"A captivating blend of history, women in science, and true crime, 18 Tiny Deaths tells the story of how one woman changed the face of forensics forever.

Frances Glessner Lee, born a socialite to a wealthy and influential Chicago family in the 1870s, was never meant to have a career, let alone one steeped in death and depravity.

Yet she developed a fascination with the investigation of violent crimes, and made it her life's work. Best known for creating the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, a series of dollhouses that appear charming—until you notice the macabre little details: an overturned chair, or a blood-spattered comforter. And then, of course, there are the bodies—splayed out on the floor, draped over chairs—clothed in garments that Lee lovingly knit with sewing pins.

18 Tiny Deaths, by official biographer Bruce Goldfarb, delves into Lee's journey from grandmother without a college degree to leading the scientific investigation of unexpected death out of the dark confines of centuries-old techniques and into the light of the modern day.

Lee developed a system that used the Nutshells dioramas to train law enforcement officers to investigate violent crimes, and her methods are still used today.

The story of a woman whose ambition and accomplishments far exceeded the expectations of her time, 18 Tiny Deaths follows the transformation of a young, wealthy socialite into the mother of modern forensics..." ~Amazon

Numeric Breakdown:

1: didn't like it/skip it
2: it was okay/it wasn't for me
3. liked it/worth a read
4. really liked it/loved it
5. it was amazing/must read!

Frances Glessner Lee is a remarkable role model. She took her resources and did something for the betterment of mankind. Reading this book took me from interested to impressed in no time. 

Author Bruce Goldfarb gives an excellent presentation of facts and historical context within 18 Ting Deaths. He covers a good amount of background information for Frances Glessner Lee, and he shares insights into Lee's childhood, marriage, and adulthood. Goldfarb, also, gives us details of those around her, and how one man in particular helped to set her on a new course in her life.

Her brother's friend, and someone who became her own friend as well, was George Burgess Magrath. A medical examiner, one of the first in the country, Magrath gave Lee a peek into his world and the medical field, and she was hooked. Spending time in the same recovery hospital at the same time, Lee and Magrath began speaking about Magrath's profession as a medical examiner. The history and illegal activity of the coroner system was brought to Lee's attention through this discussion and continued learning. Magrath told Lee "'I have always contended that the organs of the human body were the most decorative things in the world, and would make wonderfully effective murals for a medical school or doctor's club.'" (pg 113-114) This concept of "the beauty of human organs" (pg 114) sparked her interest and lead her through a 20+ year odyssey of making a difference in the medical field.

George Burgess Magrath was on call twenty-four hours a day every week. At that time, there wasn't any established medical examiner career option across the United States. His funds, material on legal medicine, and appropriate training weren't offered. In fact, by 1908, there were only four medical examiners within Suffolk County. Dr. Magrath and Dr. Timothy Leary split the jurisdiction in half. Dr. Magrath took the northern half of the division while Leary was appointed the southern division.

Dr. Magrath's medical history included a year in Europe where he studied every part of legal medicine available. London and Paris held systems pertaining to death investigation and were highly observed as the most advanced professionals of that field throughout the world. Once he became a medical examiner for Suffolk County, he took what he learned and implemented the principles and practices within his own work. This addition of knowledge was included in his teaching and curriculum with Harvard's medical school.

He had a staunch regard for the deceased, maintained efficient rules of conduct, observed a silent tongue on all cases until the courts had been decided, and never guessed at the causes of death. He took his role as medical examiner and forensic analyst very seriously. Throughout his career, he kept a notebook about his cases in order to document what he learned from each investigation. The leather-bound field book was kept in a code that only he or his secretary understood. His dedication to respecting the case and the evidence involved were paramount to keeping his notes and thoughts secret.

Meticulous, Magrath was a "confident and unshakable" gentleman who refused to lie, manipulate, or change the facts to suit anyone else's purpose. He presented the information as is and without embellishment but based on the scientific evidence he'd gathered and the medical knowledge to back his findings. A brilliant mind, Magrath seemed to understand the importance of an uncontaminated crime-scene, calling in the medical examiner immediately, not tampering with vital evidence, and relying on what the victim's body told him in order to make a rational and educated summation of their passing.

In these ways, Dr. Magrath found in Frances Glessner Lee a "kindred spirit." She was someone who wanted to contribute to society and make a difference. She appreciated art, learning, and creating change for the betterment of all. Her desire to learn and grow far exceeded her age and current abilities. Since her brother as well as Dr. Magrath, had gone to Harvard, and since Harvard was a family institution, Frances had wanted to attend herself. However, due to her gender, she wasn't allowed to be a student. This lack of education and lack of ability didn't stop her from partnering with Dr. Magrath and his successors.

During the course of her work, Frances felt motivated to create dioramas of murder scenes. She used every means at her disposal to replicate these case studies into life-size models for students to observe and produce deductions of whether murder had occurred and how. These 3-D models were used for teaching classes that she herself helped organize and teach for state police. She wanted them to have access and knowledge to the field of legal medicine even if they had no formal medical background. These classes were held twice a year and by special invitation.

Beyond the class and dioramas being shared, Lee was a pioneering voice for a Department of Legal Medicine to be established at Harvard. She collected and donated thousands of books and textbooks and models to the library. With the promise of her continued support and substantial funds when she passed, Lee negotiated terms to keep Magrath on as the head of the department until his death. She supplemented his income and provided so many opportunities and funds to the college to create a medical field promoting the teaching and learning of medical science, legal medicine, and the education of a medical examiner.

Frances Glessner Lee provided the pathway to future medical students and the education of modern forensics. She was not daunted by circumstances, the lack of support for her gender or her ideas, or by the lack of resources. She found her own. She made a way where there was none, and she used her wealth and social standing for good. Lee believed in the work her friend Magrath was doing, and she didn't allow his dream to die with him.

In the words of Frances Glessner Lee herself, "My whole object has

been to improve the administration of justice, to standardize the

methods, to sharpen the existing tools, and to make it easier for

law enforcement officers to do 'a good job' and to give the public

'a square deal.'" (pg 260)

Unfortunately, after her death, Lee's dedication was not carried on with the hallowed walls of Harvard. The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death were given on "permanent loan" to the Maryland Medical-Legal Foundation. It continued the training for police officers with some exceptions. The Frances Glessner Lee Seminar in Homicide Investigation is no longer housed at Harvard but has since been reestablished at the Forensic Medical Center for the State of Maryland in Baltimore.

Author Bruce Goldfarb shares that despite Lee's efforts, the United states doesn't have a consistent and universal system for forensic investigation. Instead, there are approximately 2,342 systems established for forensic investigation and can change by state, county, or region. Coroners still make up one of those systems, and medical examiners are found in only twenty-two states and the District of Columbia. In fact, the same reasons for the lack of improvement and advancement of Lee's era persisted and include: "political opposition, resistance to giving up local authority, [and] the fairly high initial investment cost to set up a well-equipped medical examiner office." (pg 283)

The stats and considerations evolving over the years are disheartening when you think of how much work, time, and effort Lee put into creating a more streamlined structure. Part of the problem can be found in the lack of manpower. There aren't enough students in medical schools across the country willing to train in pathology, and taking it a step further, forensic pathology. Several discrepancies are harming cases and putting the justice system, those who serve, and victims at a disadvantage.

There are so many more details this book shares. It is a phenomenal resource, and I loved learning about such a forceful, dynamic, and considerate woman. It, also, opened up a window into the behind-the-scenes world of forensic investigation. It's a fascinating and enjoyable read.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in medical history, forensic science, crime investigation, and finding out more about Frances Glessner Lee and the difference she made. This work is a "must-read" for anyone who appreciates heroes in history to give this read a try.

Thanks for joining me, and as always, Happy Reading! :)

~Rebecca Reddell, Author