[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner":3,"chapter-the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-chapter-235":6,"glossary-terms-4551":23},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Nation's Forensic Medical Examiner",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2326930,4551,"Chapter 235: Eager to Try","the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-chapter-235",235,"\u003Cp>Whether it’s a dismemberment case, a cremation case, or a skeleton case, identifying the victim is always key to solving the crime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is, the critical question of “who he was” forms the foundation for resolving such cases.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary grassroots forensic pathologists, like doctors at grassroots hospitals, mostly rely on instruments and equipment for identification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, even top-tier forensic pathologists don’t immediately start boiling water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, you run a DNA test, try to collect fingerprints; if neither works, look for special markers like tattoos, or medical implants such as steel plates and screws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a forensic pathologist can pass on relevant experience, it’s generally believed that getting steel screws implanted in a Zhenggui  hospital is the most effective form of identification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steel screws cause minimal trauma and are highly concealed; after being killed, the victim’s body can be easily checked by a forensic pathologist for these markers, while the killer, lacking equipment and with muscle and tissue blocking the view, tends to overlook them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steel plates and prosthetics have the same issue—they’re less concealed and require larger surgeries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tattoos or scars are even less concealed; a careful killer would likely cut them off individually. Moreover, none of these can be used for forward searches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dental records work well in the U.S., but are less effective domestically due to the lack of a unified database for forward searching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, in China, dental records can be used for confirmation, but using them to identify a victim—to answer “who he was”—remains difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steel plates in the skull, however, often have serial numbers and are hard to detect; with luck, they can even deflect one blunt-force blow from a killer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The risk is that the head is easily removed entirely, like the first scattered corpse discovered, where the skull is nowhere to be found—likely handled separately by the killer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Dismemberers always prefer to handle the head alone; some even bury it in their own homes, as if possessed by a universal Eastern-Western obsession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overall, grassroots forensic pathologists rely on these three main methods for victim identification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you add one more trick, it’s the items found near the body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clothing the victim wore, the objects they used, and now—the garbage dumped alongside the body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the standpoint of a current case, this garbage has little value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for cold cases, even the tiniest piece of information is still information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first things Jiang Yuan pulled out were some packaging bags and drink bottles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Lan said: “I’ll record the timestamps.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.” Jiang Yuan handed the easily timestamped garbage to Wang Lan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, he separated out some organic matter and placed identifiable items like fish bones and pork bones to one side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theoretically, if uncooked bones remain, DNA might still be extractable. As for their use, that depends on the situation—but at minimum, DNA is a one-to-one, highly accurate form of evidence, still very valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides these non-biodegradable wastes and wet garbage, Jiang Yuan also separated out some textiles and paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These items can also help trace the body’s origin—not necessarily by time, but possibly by location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you can determine which garments or papers came from a specific trash bin, searching for missing persons or victims in the surrounding area becomes easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, all this assumes the garbage and the body were discarded together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then you must continue analyzing the body. Forensic anthropology FTW!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forensic pathologists gathered around usually did similar tasks, but seeing Jiang Yuan work so quickly and cleanly, with such precise categorization—as if he’d spent years sorting trash—they naturally began assisting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it was just sorting garbage; no one wanted to claim that job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for how to analyze the trash, everyone had their own insights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, most forensic pathologists had some skill outside of body analysis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, most forensic pathologists had a touch of fashion sensitivity—you had to write reports, and those reports required detailed descriptions of the victim’s clothing and appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this jurisdiction, the dead included not just plain-living laborers, but also fashion-conscious laborers—things like dark turtleneck capes, sleeveless, waist-cinched hooded dresses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If enough fashion-forward people died, even the most straight-laced forensic pathologist could become a fashion expert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One can imagine that forensic pathologists in Paris and Milan must have strong fashion insights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they worked long enough, they might even write books like “Fashion and Death: A Study.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forensic Pathologist Niu was exceptionally skilled at analyzing paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Skilled” isn’t quite accurate; a better description is that he was deeply familiar with paper types and manufacturing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forensic Pathologist Niu was especially familiar with household paper—tissues, facial tissues, toilet paper, and the like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This stemmed from his time working in an area with weak public security and an economy heavily skewed toward offline entertainment, where he spent years sifting through discarded paper scraps to test for semen stains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After doing it so often, he could tell at a glance whether it was GB\u002FT-2011 tissue paper or GB\u002FT-2018 toilet paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Common materials—like virgin wood pulp, virgin pulp, pure wood pulp, or blended pulp—or even special bamboo pulp—were easy to distinguish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could also identify many common brands just by touch and smell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, as an unavoidable side skill, Forensic Pathologist Niu could also discern considerable information from the odor of semen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Folk tales about the scent of nandina or chestnut flowers were, from a forensic perspective, superficial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only are these flowers uncommon, but even mentioning them is meaningless—reality is that semen odor varies greatly depending on the person and their condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, no odor at all suggests prostate damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unusually strong odor might mean the person hadn’t ejaculated in a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fishy, foul smell could indicate inflammation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A putrid or fishy odor was common, likely due to diet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To describe its scent with common items, French perfume would be more appropriate—especially when concentrated, as many French perfumes share similar scent profiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Forensic Pathologist Niu stepped forward to the pile of paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them had worked locally for many years and knew each other well; some pathologists had specific strengths, and others would consult them when needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, no one would challenge Niu for control of the paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What drew Jiang Yuan’s greatest attention were a few small pieces of jewelry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not valuable pieces—by material, likely copper, glass, or something similar; altogether, a pair of earrings, a necklace, and a ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on Jiang Yuan’s earlier trash-sorting experience, the owners of this garbage had a conservative spending pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, the fish bones were from hairtail; the clothing was mostly synthetic fiber and cotton; the snack and drink packaging showed low prices, with many from unknown small factories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these circumstances, a complete set of discarded jewelry stood out oddly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it might be unrelated to this case, but Jiang Yuan still gave it extra attention; after a brief inspection, he placed it in an evidence bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several forensic pathologists on-site spent several hours sorting roughly two tons of garbage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the excavation progressed rapidly, extending the mine shaft nearly ten more meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Light conditions were now poor; everyone hurriedly transported items they deemed potentially useful to the mine entrance, effectively ending today’s excavation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mine shaft was already deep enough; night shifts would be too dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Taining controlled the scene; Jiang Yuan reported to him and said: “I plan to go to Qinghe City tonight to examine the bodies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Taining nodded appreciatively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had spent the day standing atop the mine shaft, watching the work below—after all, no matter how complex the surrounding search, the goal was always to find clues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bodies were currently the most valuable “evidence” for generating clues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan’s work ethic and ability had not escaped Xu Taining’s notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to other forensic pathologists he’d worked with, Xu Taining saw more strengths and greater stamina—he was, quite simply, exceptionally rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Xu Taining never voiced these thoughts; he simply smiled and nodded: “Take care of yourself. Don’t overexert.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” Jiang Yuan gave no indication whether he’d understood, received permission, and immediately followed the vehicle down the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drive from Zifeng Town to Qinghe City took two hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slept on the way; when he stepped out at Qinghe City’s funeral home, he felt as if he’d stepped into another world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of excavators was gone; the constant hum of chatter was gone; the anxiety seemed soothed by the funeral home’s quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His nose caught the faint smoky scent of the countryside, the fresh fragrance of pine trees, and the charred odor of joss paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, the deceased’s family moved silently, each observing their own customs to honor the dead—yet silence and stillness were universal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan suddenly felt utterly comfortable, as if bathed in a hot spring, his physical fatigue melting away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go. Finish the autopsy early, get back and rest.” Forensic Pathologist Niu stepped out of the car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was exhausted too; coming with Jiang Yuan wasn’t really to observe the autopsy—it was more like being sent here to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to Xu Taining’s influence, provincial forensic experts had already arrived in Qinghe City to assist; Forensic Pathologist Niu and others had no desire to perform autopsies themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan had Level 3 Forensic Anthropology—the equivalent of a provincial expert—and he’d insisted on coming, believing he’d be of help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Autopsy room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smell filled the nasal cavity; the ventilation fans spun uselessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first two bodies had already been placed on the autopsy tables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scattered limbs had been pieced together as best as possible, yet they still looked like broken toys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But thinking of them as people who once lived made the stomach churn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan changed into his white coat and entered, his gaze immediately falling on the adipocere-covered body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adipocere formation occurs only in water or moist soil; if the soil is too dry, the body becomes a mummy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both are preservation types of corpses, appearing more flesh-like than fully skeletonized remains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seeing the actual body, you realize skeletonized remains are more tolerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adipocere-covered or mummified bodies, in fact, are better suited to being wrapped in cloth strips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adipocere, as the name suggests, is when parts of the body turn waxy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The change primarily affects fatty tissue, starting from the limbs, face, and buttocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But compared to wax figures in museums, the common gray-white color of adipocere is far more terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viewed from another angle—after seeing adipocere, wax figures in museums become even more horrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forensic Pathologist Zhai.” Forensic Pathologist Niu greeted the provincial expert first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doctor Zhai was a thin, elderly man with a dull, expressionless gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was essentially the provincial-level version of Wang Lan, and an upgraded one at that; but unlike Wang Lan, who traveled across the city as a municipal forensic doctor, Doctor Zhai spent most of his time on paperwork—reviewing forensic reports and injury appraisals from across the region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only in exceptionally major cases would Doctor Zhai be summoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he saw Jiang Yuan and Doctor Niu, he said nothing, simply gesturing for them to examine it themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan didn’t hesitate—he began inspecting the body from top to bottom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The broken bones all matched perfectly, indicating no bones were missing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where incisions had been made, Doctor Zhai’s work was clean and precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After watching for a while, Doctor Niu lost interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Examining a fully dissected corpse, especially one showing overwhelming expertise, was something he’d rather avoid—he’d prefer reading the autopsy report instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan shared the same sentiment, yet he felt eager to dive in.\u003C\u002Fp>",1933,"2026-06-20T18:55:02.212Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b91c584a7228d80f41c724bbedb239eed072e19178d371ad0e0dfe53c2bf02e6","the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-chapter-236","the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-chapter-234",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-cover.jpg",{"terms":24,"userReplacements":50},[25,30,35,40,45],{"id":26,"raw_term":27,"original_term":28,"translations":29},1803458,"Jiang Yuan","江遠",[],{"id":31,"raw_term":32,"original_term":33,"translations":34},1803459,"Wu Jun","吳軍",[],{"id":36,"raw_term":37,"original_term":38,"translations":39},1803460,"Wang Zhong","王鍾",[],{"id":41,"raw_term":42,"original_term":43,"translations":44},1803461,"Liu Wenkai","劉文凱",[],{"id":46,"raw_term":47,"original_term":48,"translations":49},1803462,"Wu Junhao","伍軍豪",[],{}]