Before the advent of forensic science, DNA analysis, and shows like CSI, there existed a unique tool for crime investigation: miniature crime scene models known as the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death. These intricate dioramas were crafted in the 1930s and 1940s by Frances Glessner Lee, a grandmother with a passion for solving crimes. Her creations were designed to sharpen the skills of homicide detectives. These eerie miniatures offer a glimpse into a grim and unsettling aspect of domestic life, featuring doll representations of real murder victims—or scenarios that merely appear to be murder. Despite the progress in forensic technology, these Nutshells remain a valuable training resource for detectives today. The documentary “Of Dolls and Murder” delves into these dioramas, their creator, and their connection to contemporary forensic methods. Narrated by the legendary filmmaker and true crime enthusiast John Waters, the film examines everything from the famous CSI series to the Body Farm and the interests of crime-focused college students, all through the lens of these small-scale yet significant murder scenes.