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Saturday, February 15, 2020

18 Tiny Deaths by Bruce Goldfarb

When I requested 18 Tiny Deaths, it was this sentence in the description that caught my attention:  

"The fascinating story of the forgotten woman who pioneered forensic science."

I'd never heard of Frances Glessner Lee, but one of my reading objectives is to read more nonfiction and more biographies of women.  The idea of a woman having pioneered forensic science was an irresistible bonus to a fan of mysteries and police procedurals.  

Frances Glessner was born in 1878 to a family of great wealth and influence.  She and her brother were home schooled by private tutors, receiving a wide-ranging education significantly beyond what a public school could offer.  They were also encouraged to be children and to appreciate the outdoors, music, and arts and crafts in ways outside of academics.  Although her brother went to Harvard, women were not admitted to those "hallowed" halls and Frances did not go to college.  While she may have been brilliant and accomplished (more so than most college educated men), she personally felt the lack of formal education.

It is a thorough biography; however, since Frances did not become interested in what was termed medicolegal pathology until the latter portion of her life, it is in the last half of the book that her efforts to transform medical legal medicine into a unique division of medicine  is presented.  Inspired by her friend and mentor George Magrath, Frances used her wealth and influence to improve the system.

"She persisted" genuinely applies to Frances' efforts to revolutionize the ways sudden or suspicious deaths were examined, to replace the ancient coroner system with medical examiners, and to train police to preserve crime scenes and become intently observant.  

Previously much of what can be found about Frances Glessner Lee  has to do with her dioramas, the nutshell models--and they are important.  But Bruce Goldfarb has brought to light all of what the woman accomplished.  While the nutshell models are crucial, what impressed me most was the money, energy, time, and effort Frances put into her attempts to end a corrupt coroner system and replace it with trained medical examiners and to educate crime scene investigators (patrolmen and detectives) on how to observe and preserve a crime scene.  

A compelling look into the life of the woman who is responsible for scientific approaches to crime investigation.  A remarkable book about a remarkable woman--highly recommended for those interested in history, crime, and forensics.

Extensive primary and secondary sources.

A look at the Nutshells.



NetGalley/Sourcebooks
Nonfiction/Biography.  Feb. 4, 2020.  Print length:  336 pages.

18 comments:

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    1. It really is fascinating in the last half where her efforts really advanced forensic science!

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  2. Wow. This sound so fascinating. This is going straight to my wish list. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Florence and her work kept me engrossed in the methods she wanted investigators to use. So CSI!

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  3. Sounds like a fascinating read!

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    1. It was compelling for people who love mysteries and police procedurals. :)

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  4. I do like this subject; fascinating. I may try this so, I'm happy that you brought it to our attention.

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    1. It was remarkable that a woman with all the wealth and influence of the International Harvester fortune behind her...was an activist in crime investigation!

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  5. She sounds like quite a woman. It's good to see that she is getting credit for what she accomplished - even though the credit was a long time coming.

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    1. Yes, she avoided taking personal credit wanting the focus on her projects, but I'm delighted that Goldfarb wrote this biography bringing her efforts to light!

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  6. Alright, she's amazing. I need to know more about her!

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    1. Since 2017 and the restoration of her nutshell studies, there has been plenty available online, but they focus on the dioramas and exclude most of her efforts in establishing a medical legal library, a chair of medical legal medicine at Harvard, and the training seminars.

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  7. I've read a little about her...just enough to make me want to learn more. I just ordered a copy from The Poisoned Pen. I'll pick it up when I'm there to see Susan Elia MacNeal. Can't wait to read it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

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    1. The first half is biographical, but the second half about her work is fascinating for anyone who loves books or television about forensics! I hope you enjoy it, Cathy--and have when you get to The Poisoned Pen. :)

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  8. Great review and definitely a book I want to check out!

    It's always so disheartening when law enforcement in any era seems less intent on getting to the truth and more interested in self-enrichment and aggrandizement. Just think too where we might be in the world now in terms of scientific advancement if women had had the same opportunities in the 19th and 20th century as men!

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    1. It is disheartening, and despite Florence's efforts, many of the same problems exist today. As for opportunities for women, even when women managed to make huge advancements in science (and other fields), their contributions are often side notes in history. That makes them even more impressive--to overcome the odds and disregard the prejudice that kept them from the same education opportunities as men.

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  9. I heard about her not too long ago because of her dioramas (which are fascinating!) but didn't know much about her. I bet this book is fascinating.

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    1. Her dioramas are meticulous and still being used! The last half of the book is both informative and fascinating!

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