When: September 1, 2006–February 16, 2008
Where: NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD
Institute: National Library of Medicine (NLM)

“Visible Proofs,” a new exhibition at NLM, traces the history of forensic medicine: the efforts of physicians, surgeons, and other specialists to translate views of the body and its parts into hard evidence that can testify on behalf of the victims of violent crime and against the guilty.

Items on display include surgical instruments used in the autopsy of Abraham Lincoln, a human heart pierced by a bullet, a stomach poisoned by arsenic, a kidney punctured by a fatal knife wound, and fingerprints from the first investigation to use fingerprints for a conviction. The Web site displays many of the same assets in an attractive format and features resources, including lesson plans, and links to help you learn more about forensic medicine.

Next Steps
You can see the “Visible Proofs” exhibition on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, or take advantage of its many resources online.

The exhibit is open to the public, and admission is free. Visiting hours are 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday, and 8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Visitors to the NIH campus should bring a photo ID and allow additional time for security procedures. Call (301) 594-6677 for more information, or visit the Web site at www.nih.gov/about/visitor/index.htm to find the best way to travel and where to get your visitor’s badge.

You can also visit the exhibition Web site at www.nlm.nih.gov/visibleproofs/index.html.

^ TOP OF PAGE