Vancouver Police Museum & Archives
240 E. Cordova Street V6A 1L3 Vancouver, BC, Canada

It's time to reveal this week's Guess That Object! This week’s object is a VPD fingerprint Kit! This Kit was used to collect fingerprints at crime scene investigations before making its way into our museum collection. The first recorded case of using fingerprints for identification purposes can be traced all the way back to 1700 BCE, when Babylonians recorded fingerprints as a means of contract signatures. However, it was not until the 19th century that fingerprints were used... as a tool to identify criminals. In 1858, Sir William Herschel, a magistrate in Jangipur, India, continued the use of fingerprints as contract signatures and endeavoured to create a fingerprint register for the region. Interest in fingerprint analysis spread around the world; in Argentina in 1891, Juan Vucetich created his own system of fingerprint identification. A year later in Buenos Aires, two young boys were murdered, a bloody fingerprint found at the scene was used to correctly identify the killer - their mother! It was the first successful case of fingerprint identification in a murder investigation. To learn more about the history of fingerprinting, come visit our fingerprinting exhibit! #VPMA #VancouverHistory #FromTheCollection #GuessThatObject #MuseumCollection #Artefacts #CrimeHistory #YVRHistory

Here's the next clue photos for this week's Guess That Object! Stay tuned for the reveal tomorrow! Comment below with your guess! Hint: In Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1892, two young boys were murdered. Using this object's method of identification was the first successful use of its kind to solve a homicide!... #VPMA #VancouverHistory #FromTheCollection #GuessThatObject #MuseumCollection #Artefacts #CrimeHistory #YVRHistory

Are you ready for this week's Guess That Object? This one might be tricky...we'll give you two days of clue photos and then reveal the object on Saturday. Comment below with your guess! Hint: The first recorded case of using this form of identification can be traced all the way back to 1700 BCE.... #VPMA #VancouverHistory #FromTheCollection #GuessThatObject #MuseumCollection #Artefacts #CrimeHistory #YVRHistory

Here's the reveal for this week's Guess That Object! This week’s object is a clinical Centrifuge! A centrifuge is a rotating device that is used to separate a liquid’s various components by their density. Centrifuges are now a staple in laboratories, but their origins actually lie in the dairy industry. Centrifuge technology dates back to the 1400s, where hand operated machines were used to separate milk from cream. And in 1864, Anton Prandtl invented the first modern commerc...ialized centrifuge for the dairy industry. However, only a few years later the Swiss scientist Freiderich Meisler thought to use the technology in the lab, leading to a significant development in the discovery of DNA. Theodor Svedberg would go on to win a Nobel Prize in 1926 for his invention of the ultracentrifuge. The centrifuge pictured here was used in the City Analyst’s lab to perform chemical and blood analysis. Thanks for playing another round of Guess That Object! #VPMA #VancouverHistory #FromTheCollection #GuessThatObject #MuseumCollection #Artefacts #CrimeHistory #YVRHistory

We will be closed today for filming. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you again tomorrow! If you purchased tickets through Tiqets for today, don't worry, you can use your tickets any day we are open. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at ... 604-665-3346 or [email protected] See more

It's time for this week's Guess That Object! Take a look at the two clue images here, and comment below with your guess. We'll reveal the object on Saturday! Hint: These are now a staple in laboratories, but their origins actually lie in the dairy industry. The technology dates back to the 1400s, where hand operated machines were used to separate milk from cream.... Reminder: We will be closed tomorrow, Friday Jan 22, for filming. See you on the weekend! #VPMA #VancouverHistory #FromTheCollection #WhatsThatObject #MuseumCollection #Artefacts #CrimeHistory #YVRHistory

Planning a visit this month? We'll be open with our regular hours leading up to the holidays, and our holiday hours will be: Dec 24, 25 - CLOSED Dec 26, 27 - 12pm-5pm... Dec 31, Jan 1 - CLOSED We're still accepting walk-in visits with limited capacity. Masks are mandatory for all visitors and we've stepped up our sanitation procedures to keep the museum safe for all. If you have any questions before you visit, feel free to call us 604-665-3346 or email us at [email protected] Stay safe and have a happy, healthy holiday season!

Calling kids and aspiring detectives of all ages! We are happy to announce that our popular Forensic Investigations education programs are now available for private bookings! Come with your 'bubble' and solve a Break & Enter (ages 10-13) or a Kidnapping (ages 14+). Book here! https://bit.ly/3epxjZf See our website for details and inquiries. All bookings include general admission to the museum, with a forensics activity + mini tour!... Increased health and safety precautions will be in place and our staff will be wearing masks. Forensics activities will take place in a private room in the museum.

Looking for a fun forensics activity to do at home or in the classroom? We've launched our portable Forensics in a Box activity that lets you become a savvy investigator in the setting of your choice. Completely sanitized and ready to rent, the box comes with everything you need to solve a crime with up to 6 individuals (or pairs for in-class settings) using forensic techniques like fingerprinting, chromatography and more! Microscopes included. Autopsy Suite not included.

Add some crime-solving fun to your next museum visit! "Crime at the Century takes place in 1949, and our very own Canada’s Sherlock Holmes, John F.C.B. Vance is on the brink of retirement. Solving this case will prove you’re capable of taking over his position as the city's Forensic Inspector. This self-guided activity is a great way to see all the exhibits and historic spaces in the museumincluding the morgue and autopsy suite all while solving a murder mystery on your... device.* Ask for the Choose Your Own Adventure Activity when you get to the front desk. Cost: $5.00 (with the purchase of admission) *Requires a device capable of scanning a QR code for access.

The colours may be cute, but this room's name is definitely not. Our lovely Museum Curator, Elizabeth Peterson, Ph.D., is one of the few individuals who have access to this historic place which is not accessible to the public. She uses it for cataloguing and storing the many artefacts of The Vancouver Police Museum. Can you guess the room?

Add a bit of detective fun to your next museum visit! Our self-guided choose-your-own-adventure activity, Crime at the Century takes you on a guided tour of the museum, while trying to solve a suspected murder. Set in 1949, you play an assistant to famed Forensic Inspector, F.C.B. Vance. Can you solve the case and prove yourself worthy of taking over Vance’s position? Ask for The Crime at the Century at the front desk when you arrive to add it to your visit! ... Suitable for ages 16+. Requires a devices capable of scanning QR codes. #VancouverPoliceMuseum #ChooseYourOwnAdventure #MurderMystery #Forensics #Museum #VancouverHistory #VPMA #VirtualLearning

Halloween is upon us, so we've got a new audio tour to 'treat' visitors at the museum! Free with general admission, our Grisly Vancouver Tales audio tour unveils ghastly Vancouver stories that will fright and delight. Accessible through QR codes in the museum, you can safely get your spook on this year. Book tickets here: http://ow.ly/cdU550BSAMY What's your favourite spooky Vancouver story?

Back by popular demand, we've got new Movies in the Morgue screenings for November! Tomorrow, we'll be showing The Exorcist (only a few tickets left), so hurry to snag the last spots! http://ow.ly/rlaI50Cos5N *Movie trivia: What scene was cut from the original version of The Exorcist?

Lest we forget. Today we commemorate those who nobly served for the freedom of future generations. Learn about their sacrifices and the effects of WWI on our young city. http://ow.ly/PtZG50Ci2Oa

Want to read more by Eve Lazarus over the holidays? We have copies of Cold Case Canada, Murder by Milkshake, Blood, Sweat and Fear and her latest - Vancouver Exposed!

Any guesses on what this complex contraption could be? *Hint* It's inside our very own police museum building and sits unused for half of the year.

One of Vancouver’s most well-known cold cases is covered by Eve Lazarus in her latest podcast episode of Cold Case Canada. Have you see the case in our True Crime exhibit?

Think you'd make a good detective? Love forensics? Looking for an activity to do with your bubble? Bring your ‘bubble’ of friends, family, coworkers or fellow sleuths to try and solve our kidnapping forensic investigation! Examine evidence and build a case to determine which suspect kidnapped our Head Analyst. A Friends & Family booking includes a short tour of the museum and its authentic morgue and autopsy suite. Book here (ages 14+) : https://bit.ly/3epxjZf #EducationCorner

Curious about spooky occurrences that have happened at our museum over the years? Check out our blog! https://bit.ly/2Htagk8. From slamming doors to the pitter-patter of feet at night, we've seen our fair share of paranormal activity. Want to experience the real deal with paranormal investigative teams? Check out our always popular Morgue Ghost Tours this Oct 10th and 24th! Tickets are selling fast! http://ow.ly/vQCC50BKnN2

We still have a couple copies left of Eve Lazarus' latest book, "Vancouver Exposed: Searching for the City's Hidden History." Pick up yours in time for the holidays and take home a riveting look at Vancouver's lesser-know histories! Every Place has a Story

Think you have what it takes to solve a crime? Our education programs are not just for kids. Bring your ‘bubble’ of friends, coworkers and fellow sleuths to try and solve our kidnapping forensic investigation! Examine evidence and build a case to determine which suspect kidnapped our Head Analyst. A Friends & Family booking includes a short tour of the museum and its authentic morgue and autopsy suite. Book here (ages 14+) : http://ow.ly/QVwZ50BH4vg #EducationCorner

Have you heard of Mitzi Dupree? She was so famous, Deep Purple wrote a song about her, and her legend even lives on at the museum with a signed piece of memorabilia! Read all about her famed act in our latest blog post, and come by to see her 'contribution' to one of our current exhibits, "The Moral of the Story: A History of the Mulligan Affair and The Penthouse Investigation."

It’s #ForensicFriday! Insects are often the first ones at a crime scene, giving investigators critical clues and evidence. For example, Dr. Gail Anderson, famed BC entomologist, used insect evidence to free a woman who was wrongfully imprisoned for 17 years. Find out how Dr. Anderson did it in our latest blog post: Forensic Entomology in Canada: How Bugs Solve Crime. http://ow.ly/ypp750BBvHQ

Did you know that Audrey Hepburn was William Friedkin's first choice to play the role of Chris MacNeil in the movie The Exorcist? The role eventually went to Ellen Burstyn, who received an Oscar nomination for her work. See her in action on Nov. 19th! We've added The Exorcist to Movies in the Morgue! http://ow.ly/8j9M50BxiOt

Pop quiz! When and where did the modern term 'morgue' first get used? We’ll post the answer this evening. Don't forget! Tickets to see "Psycho," Oct 20 in our historic morgue are still available here: http://ow.ly/sDvO50Bv8Kt Tickets for Morgue Ghost Tours on Oct 10th and 24th are still available here: https://bit.ly/3iJvCXL

Our always-popular Morgue Ghost Tours return this October 10th and 24th! Join @npi and @paranormalspectrumbc as they share their findings from investigations in our building, including audio and video of spooky paranormal occurrences! Tours are 45 min and will be limited to 8 people to maintain safe physical distancing. All participants must wear a face mask. Recommended for ages 16+. Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/3huhwrP #VPMA #northernparanormalinvestigations #GhostTours #Halloween #VancouverEvents #morgue

Watch Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller, Psycho, in the Old City Morgue at The Vancouver Police Museum, Oct 20th. Tickets are still available! All other showings are sold out, so hurry before they're gone. Buy tickets here https://conta.cc/2FLomMy **BC’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols are strictly followed at the museum. Read more at the link below. https://vancouverpolicemuseum.ca/vpm/movies-in-the-morgue/

Our first Movies in the Morgue of the year is coming up! Bring your fellow Dudes and join us for The Big Lebowski on Tuesday September 15! Buy tickets online @ vancouverpolicemuseum.ca #moviesinthemorgue #thebiglebowski #VPMA #YVRevents

Who do you think these concert-goers are watching? The answer is...Elvis! On August 31st 1957, Vancouver’s youth came out in droves to watch Elvis finally play in their hometown at Empire Stadium. However, things got a little bit out of control - The crowd formed a mob and tried to rush the stage! The Gazette reported that girls were punched, lifted bodily back into the heaving mass. Their escorts, teenagers like themselves, threatened the police. One bulky youth, his nose s...purting blood, was hurt till he screamed. Elvis was only able to play one song before he went backstage, and when he returned to play four more, none of them could be heard because of the screaming! This is not the only time that concert goers in Vancouver have clashed with police: Do you know which other rock and roll band played a show in Vancouver that led to tensions with law enforcement? Photo Credit of The Gazette, September 7th 1957 #VancouverPoliceMuseum #VancouverHistory #ThisDayinHistory #YVRHistory #VPDHistory #ElvisPresley

Today we remember Duncan Gillis, a Vancouver Police Department officer, and the first person from British Columbia to win an Olympic medal, claiming silver in the hammer throw at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm. Not only that, but Gillis was Canada’s first flag-bearer! Originally from Nova Scotia, Gillis moved to British Columbia and joined the V.P.D when he was 23, and managed to do all of his record-setting training in his spare time! Photo Credit: The Vancouver Sun, July 6th, 1957. #VancouverPoliceMuseum #VancouverHistory #ThisDayinHistory #YVRHistory #VPDHistory