My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark 498 - Tugboat Cat
Sep 18, 2025
Get ready for a riveting discussion about forensic artistry! The hosts delve into the life of Frank Bender, a forensic sculptor who transformed morgue investigations with his incredible reconstruction techniques. They highlight his work with high-profile cases, including the infamous John List, and his role in founding the Vidocq Society. With a mix of humor and intrigue, this episode blends true crime fascination with recognition of a unique legacy in forensics.
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Morgue Revelation Sparks A Career
- Frank Bender first identified a badly decomposed woman at the Philadelphia morgue and declared, "I know what she looks like."
- His eight-hour fiberglass bust led to the identification of Anna Duvall and jumpstarted his forensic career.
Art And Anatomy Produce Identifications
- Bender combined anatomy knowledge with artistic intuition to reconstruct faces from limited remains or photographs.
- His method mixed medical reference with a creative, empathetic read of a skull's clues.
A Lens Leads To Recognition
- For Slatington remains, Frank used a single glasses lens and a skull analysis to craft a bust.
- The image led a father to identify his missing 23-year-old daughter, Linda Keyes.