THE GIRL WITH A CROOKED NOSE

The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, the F.C. Wood Institute for the History of Medicine and the Mütter Museum recently hosted Frank Bender and Ted Botha for a lecture and book signing. In his riveting book, "The Girl with a Crooked Nose," Ted Botha tells the story of Frank Bender, renowned artist and self-taught forensic sculptor. With only skeletal remains for reference, Frank Bender recovers the features of the deceased with uncanny accuracy and intuitive artistic mastery. His reconstructions have allowed law enforcement to make proper identifications, bringing closure to the families and friends of victims and leading to the capture and conviction of the murderers. Mr. Bender has worked closely with the Philadelphia Police Department, FBI, Scotland Yard and Mexican and Egyptian governments, and has been instrumental in solving at least nine "cold-case" murders. He has also assisted with numerous other anthropological and criminal investigations, including traveling to Mexico to uncover the identities of "feminicidios" in Juárez. Mr. Bender also has a career as a fine artist, and works in a variety of media including watercolors, pastels, photography and public monuments. The evening at The College of Physicians, which included a Q & A session between author and subject, was by all accounts fascinating, illuminating and inspiring. Those who missed it can still see Mr. Bender and Mr. Botha interviewed by Dr. Robert Hicks, the Director of the Mütter Museum & Historical Medical Library, on his show "No Bones About It."

Watch the interview with Mr. Bender and Mr. Botha on YouTube: INTERVIEW with Bender/Botha

And... you can still purchase a hardcover copy of the book in the Mütter Museum Store: The Girl with a Crooked Nose

Read Monica Yant Kinney's article on this extraordinary man at Philly.com:
Frank Bender