You Have the Right to Remain Silent

Did something a little different a couple of weekends ago. My partner-in-crime Lou and I, took a tour of the Vancouver Police Museum [240 E Cordova St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1L3].

The museum is housed in a heritage designated building and run by the VPD Historical Society. The building was once both the Coroner's Court and autopsy facilities.

We wandered up the creaky old stairs to the second floor hoping it would not be too disappointing. It definitely did not disappoint. 

Some of the images taken turned out to be a little on the sepia side which worked well with the era of some of the displays so I didn't bother colour correcting any of them. I might have tweaked the levels here and there but only to make things show up a little better.

Before we move on to the photos, there is a WARNING FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. I have included in this post images of autopsy 'specimens' that may not be suitable for all viewers.

I debated whether to post them but they WERE on display for people to look at if they chose to. You decide whether you want to look at them - or to scroll past them. 

built in 1932

the front entrance

Coroner's Court and autopsy facilities

VPD VIPs

counterfeiting

a piece of morgue equipment

the drawers

child's skull (casting) from an unsolved crime scene

the waiting room?

doorway into the morgue's autopsy area

an alleged shot was fired *into* the morgue to silence someone

for the record

narrowest closet I've ever seen

WARNING: the next four shots are of autopsy specimens. 

brain hemorrhage 

bullet hole and powder residue on skin (homicide)

male foetus 14/16 weeks (illegal abortion)

stab wound to heart (homicide) 

table for one?

gurney

even found the washroom photogenic

they don't know the combination and have no idea what's inside

just a couple of examples of shackles

light pours in over the creaky staircase to the 2nd floor

a couple of examples of railing details

I couldn't resist snagging a few usable souvenirs 

Among other things the VPD Historical Society also hold two "Sins of the City" walking tours.
The "Red Light Rendezvous" tour. Where you walk some of the oldest streets of the city and discover the history of brothels of the time and the women who ran them.
The "Vice, Dice and Opium Pipes" tour. Go back to the 1920s where you get the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of a beat cop and see where some of Vancouver's seedier establishments of the time were; bootlegging joints,

These tours are now on the ever growing 'To Do' list.