The Science

Is it art or is it science? Does it matter?

The work of the Home for Wayward Babydolls has been ongoing for over 30 years.  Cecil Ison’s  collection and analysis of Babydolls began in the 1980s while working for the Daniel Boone National Forest. As he notes (frequently) one day he found a baby doll with a bullet hole in the middle of its forehead. “Something Had to be done.” Thus began the career of the world’s foremost (and possibly, only) forensic anthropomorphologist. [“Forensic”: relating to crime; “Anthropo”:  man;  “morph”: shaped;  ologist “studier of”]

 

Important research areas at the Home include:

Research Area #14 C.   Barbie doll / Barbie doll wannabe research

            Findings to date:

  •   Barbie doll hair is extremely resilient

  •   Bodies decay at different rates

  •   Dolls hung on fence in easy reach of road are occasionally taken by passersby

Global Warming Study (abandoned when shed was torn down.)

            Findings to date:

            Dolls decay somewhat in sunlight

Babydoll Body Garden

            Findings to date:

  •    Dolls disappear

  •    If you don’t write down the date, it is hard to remember when an object was placed

In addition, Mr. Ison provides consultation and examination of doll remains and crime scenes on an individual basis.

 

As the foremost expert on doll crime and pathology, Mr. Ison began a treatise many years ago:

“An Introduction to Forensic Anthropomorphology.” While it remains unfinished, it’s present contents are posted here.

An Introduction to Forensic Anthropomorphology.doc: