The Forensic Doctor Better Than a Detective

minutes later, Political Commissioner Li, Director Hou, Jiang An, and two young forensic pathologists from the forensic laboratory arrived at the gate of Qinzhou City’s funeral home in a silent business car.

It was now 3:30 in the morning, and the surroundings of the funeral home were pitch black. Only a faint light from a distant duty room window outlined the building’s silhouette.

The forensic autopsy room, standing alone away from the main building, appeared especially solemn in the dead of night.

The area was extremely quiet, with only the occasional sound of unknown crickets chirping from the grass, adding an air of desolation and mystery.

Director Hou was the first to open the car door and get out, tightening his coat as the night wind brushed against him.

Political Commissioner Li followed closely, with an apologetic smile on his face, stepping forward to say to Director Hou, ”Director Hou, I’m really sorry. You came to Qinzhou City to guide our investigation, and we should have received you better, yet here you are, bothered to come to the forensic autopsy room in the dead of night.”

”It’s the middle of the night, and we haven’t even let you rest. I really feel bad about it.”

Director Hou waved his hand in response, ”Political Commissioner Li, you’re being too polite.”

”We are all in the criminal investigation business. It’s not unusual for us to work through the wind and rain.”

”Let alone waking up at night to the forensic autopsy room, haven’t we been to bloody scenes and dismemberment sites countless times? This is nothing.”

As he spoke, he turned to look at Jiang An, his gaze filled with approval, ”Captain Jiang is an expert among forensic pathologists. I believe for him, conducting a midnight autopsy in Jiangcheng must be routine.”

At these words, Jiang An’s lips twitched slightly, seemingly recalling countless nights of burning the midnight oil.

He calmly said, ”Director Hou, you overpraise.”

”However, looking back now, those nights spent in the autopsy room are probably not less than thirty a year.”

”Sometimes, when things get busy, it’s morning before you know it.”

Hearing this, Political Commissioner Li couldn’t help but exclaim, ”I admit, Jiangcheng’s criminal investigation truly lives up to its reputation!”

”In the past, my understanding of Jiangcheng’s criminal investigation was limited, but over the past two years, with the provincial department’s vigorous publicity and several joint investigations, I’ve realized that you have done exceptionally well in terms of spirit, team building, competence development, and solidifying the foundation.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Jiang An, ”Especially with outstanding talents emerging, like Captain Jiang An, who loves, studies, and carries forward the spirit of criminal investigation.”

”One could say, it is such comrades who lay a solid foundation on our path of criminal investigation.”

Director Hou raised his hand and patted Jiang An’s shoulder, speaking sincerely, ”Captain Jiang truly is an exemplary model in the provincial criminal investigation system.”

”His dedication to work and attention to detail are things we should all learn from.”

As they spoke, the three of them reached the entrance of the forensic autopsy room.

The heavy iron door creaked open, and the strong smell of disinfectant wafted over them.

Wang Xiu’s body had long been placed on the central autopsy table.

The two young forensic pathologists, upon entering, swiftly moved to the changing area, skillfully putting on blue protective suits, masks, and goggles.

Director Hou, Political Commissioner Li, and Jiang An followed suit, each putting on protective gear.

After all, here, protection is an essential procedure—bloodstains and viruses are invisible but could inadvertently cause harm.

minutes later, the five of them gathered in front of autopsy table number 1.

Wang Xiu’s body lay exposed under the lights on the autopsy table, pale and quiet.

Everyone exchanged glances before unanimously turning their eyes to Jiang An.

At this moment, Jiang An’s sharp gaze focused like a hawk on the exposed neck of the deceased.

He understood well that after thoroughly examining a body, the parts where effective clues remain are often very limited—the neck, in particular, is the most vulnerable part of the body, easiest to bear marks during an assault.

At that moment, Locard’s principle of exchange flashed through his mind like a bolt of lightning: ”Every contact leaves a trace.”

This golden rule of criminal investigation seemed so real at this moment.

Every move the perpetrator made would leave corresponding marks on the victim.

Conversely, the victim would also carry away some evidence from the assailant.

This bidirectional material exchange process is like a silent dialogue waiting to be deciphered.

The flash of this idea suddenly made him recall Guo Yong’s unusually distinct left hand in the interrogation room—the fingertips of his index, middle, and ring fingers were almost even, a stark contrast to the common longest middle finger trait.

This seemingly small individual difference quickly amplified in Jiang An’s mind, transforming into an important investigative breakthrough.

He concentrated for a moment, then suddenly turned his head to ask, ”Do we have a light?”

”We do!” The forensic pathologist beside him immediately responded, ”Captain Jiang, please hold on.”

Before the words finished, he had already briskly fetched a bright flashlight.

Jiang An took the equipment, steadily picking up the scalpel and forceps.

The opposite forensic pathologist couldn’t help but ask, ”Captain Jiang, are you going to dissect the neck?”

”Yes,” Jiang An nodded, his eyes never leaving the neck of the corpse, ”I plan to separate the neck’s skin tissue and observe it from the rear with light.”

”Only this way can any potential trace be fully exposed.”

His tone was calm as water, as if stating the most routine procedure.

However, these words evoked different reactions at the scene.

Political Commissioner Li and Director Hou exchanged a puzzled look— it seemed unnecessary in their view, as there were no apparent anomalies on the neck’s surface; why go to such lengths to perform an autopsy?