Frances Glessner Lee is known for her work, the “Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death.” This series contains “nineteen intricately designed dollhouse-style dioramas” (Wikipedia, 2023).
The dioramas are detailed representations of death scenes that are composites of actual court cases, created by Glessner Lee on a 1-inch to 1 foot (1:12) scale.[5][3][4] Originally twenty in number,[6] each model cost about US$3,000–4,500 to create.[7] She attended autopsies to ensure accuracy,[5] and her attention to detail extended to having a wall calendar include the pages after the month of the incident, constructing openable windows, and wearing out-of-date clothing to obtain realistically worn fabric.[3] The dioramas show tawdry and, in many cases, disheveled living spaces very different from Glessner Lee's own background.[8] The dead include sex workers and victims of domestic violence.[3][9][10]
The purpose of the Nutshell Studies was to help law enforcement learn how to investigate crime scenes.
Project
You will create a Nutshell Study diorama constructed in the same vein as those of Frances Glessner Lee. The diorama will be based on a death scene sketch you construct with your assigned group. I will assign groups of 3-4 students. The diorama should appear to be a realistic depiction of a death scene. Keep in mind, the goal is not for the death to be solved, but rather to teach observers how to look for clues.
You will work on this project primarily in class. However, you may have to spend some time outside the classroom completing the work.
Death Scene Narrative, Sketches, and Diorama
Instructions for the various components of your Nutshell Study are described below.
Narrative
The first step in constructing your Nutshell Study Diorama is to come up with a death scene and associated narrative. You will need to decide and write down the following information with your group. Examples are in the PDF below:
The scene—confined to one room (e.g., bedroom, bathroom, kitchen)
Narrative
Victim(s) names
Date of reported death
Name and description of the witness
Brief statement from witness describing what they observed
After deciding the details above, you will need to sketch a design of what your death scene diorama will look like. First, the group should create a rough sketch of what your death scene will look like. Your sketch (and diorama) should be designed using the same scale as Frances Glessner Lee, 1:12.
After I approve your sketch and associated narrative, you may individually sketch your death scene in greater detail. You will each need the hand sketch to create your virtual sketch, described directly below.
Smartdraw Sketch
After creating a hand-drawn sketch, you will use the online, free program, Smartdraw, to virtually sketch your death scene. Each group member will need to create their own virtual sketch with Smartdraw. Note, Smartdraw is only free for 7 days. When you are finished, upload a copy of your virtual sketch to the assignment folder in D2L.
Diorama
Once your group has crafted a death scene narrative and sketch, and they are approved, you can begin constructing your diorama. Recall, the diorama needs to be to scale like Glessner Lee’s. That scale is 1:12, which means 1’=1”.
Timeline
Assignment
Due Date
Death Scene Narrative and Hand-drawn Sketch
September 3
Smartdraw Sketch
September 9
Nutshell Study Diorama
September 17
Submission
The death scene narrative, hand-drawn sketch, and Smartdraw sketch should be submitted to the associated folders in D2L in the Nutshell Study folder.
Grading: These assignments will be assessed using the rubric below. This counts for 30% of the total Nutshell Study grade.
Yes (=5 points)
No (=0 points)
Create death sketch using Smartdraw
Death sketch depicts a death
Death sketch is detailed
Death sketch is visually appealing
Death sketch has accompanying narrative
Accompanying narrative includes all the required components (victim(s); when the death was reported; who was questioned; and brief statements from those who were questioned)
The final Nutshell diorama will be graded using the following rubric. You will also grade yourself and your team members. Your individual final score will be (Nutshell diorama score X grade %).
Diorama Rubric
Yes (=20 points)
Somewhat (=10 points)
No (=0 points)
Diorama is complete
Diorama is detailed
Diorama is visually appealing
Diorama is built to 1” to 1’ scale
Yes (=10 points)
No (=0 points)
Diorama depicts a death
Diorama has printed accompanying narrative
Personal and Peer Assessment Rubric1
Level A
(12.5 pts)
Level B
(10.625 pts)
Level C
(9.375 pts)
Level D
(8.125 pts)
Attendance
I attended all the days we worked on the group project.
I attended all but 1 day we worked on the group project.
I attended all but 2 days we worked on the group project.
I missed at least 3 or more days when we worked on the group project.
Effort
I put a great deal of effort into constructing our diorama.
I put in a moderate amount of effort into constructing our diorama.
I put in a minimal amount of effort into constructing our diorama.
I put no effort into constructing our diorama.
Intellectual Property
I contributed a great deal of effort in designing our diorama.
I put in a moderate amount of effort into designing our diorama.
I put in a minimal amount of effort into designing our diorama.
I put no effort into designing our diorama.
Peer Perceptions
My peers would agree I did excellent work.
My peers would agree I did very good work.
My peers would agree I did good work.
My peers would agree I did not good work.
Attitude
I was always cooperative and displayed a positive attitude.
I was usually cooperative and displayed a positive attitude.
I was sometimes cooperative and rarely displayed a positive attitude.
I was seldom cooperative and rarely displayed a positive attitude.
Accuracy
The project is complete, done on time, and followed instructions.
The project is generally complete, mostly done on time, and mostly followed instructions.
The project is partially incomplete, was not done on time, and did not follow some of the instructions.
The project is pretty incomplete, was not done on time, and did not follow many of the instructions.
Focus
Almost always I was focused on the task and tried to keep the group working together. I am very self-directed.
I focused on the task most of the time and did not cause problems in the group.
I sometimes focused on the task and had to be prodded and reminded to keep working.
I did not focus on the task and let others do the work.
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