Chapter 396

Kang Zhichao picked up the photo Jiang Yuan handed him and examined it closely.

After a moment, he pulled out his laptop from under his seat, logged onto the internal network, and reviewed previous autopsy reports and photos.

Feng Qiong waited for him nearly ten minutes.

During that time, no one in the conference room spoke. Jiang Yuan's answer had too great an impact.

Determining time of death is critically important not only in forensic medicine but also in criminal investigation practice.

In famous "perfect murder" cases in detective fiction, half of them rely on alibis—specifically, manipulation of time of death. Killers have used refrigerators, air conditioners, adjusted watches, taken shortcuts...

Most of these killers encountered forensic pathologists who were overly responsible but mediocre, who consistently gave precise times of death, making it easier for police to make wrong judgments.

In reality, a pathologist of average skill cannot accurately determine time of death down to the hour. For deaths within 24 hours, estimating 8 to 10 hours or 3 to 5 hours is already pushing it, since it relies on data like liver temperature.

Once death exceeds 24 hours, it becomes very difficult to give a precise value. It's not impossible, but the techniques required go beyond what ordinary forensic pathologists can master.

For cases with longer postmortem intervals, the more precise the requirement, the higher the difficulty.

Forensic pathologists mostly rely on non-standard indicators: liver temperature, insect species and generational relationships, rigor mortis and livor mortis, microbial community changes, ATP degradation levels in red blood cells, even infrared Fourier transform of postmortem skin—all can be used to determine time of death.

But from another perspective: if there were a simple, brute-force method to directly determine time of death, why would scientists waste effort using all these different techniques?

As the saying goes, poor students have the most stationery. The more techniques and methods developed to calculate a single value, the more it proves that value is hard to calculate accurately.

As for Case 503, if the first victim was an armed police officer, the case most likely involved two suspects stealing or seizing a firearm, then killing the officer and attempting further, more efficient robberies with the weapon.

In that case, to solve the crime forward, investigators must focus heavily on the first victim—essentially confirming the killer targeted the gun.

Because if the intent was to kill a person, they could have chosen a time when the officer was unarmed, and there'd be no need for subsequent multiple robberies.

Similar cases are numerous; for example, the infamous bandit Bai Baoshan began his robbery career by attacking a guard to steal a gun.

Thus, following the direction of "stealing a gun to kill and rob," investigators naturally consider: disposal of loot, the killer's familiarity with the armed officer, planning of robbery routes, methods, and subsequent robbery schemes.

But if the first person killed was actually the second victim, the situation instantly reverses.

If the second victim was killed first, then the first, it suggests the killer's original target was likely the second victim, and the first victim—an armed officer returning home from work—was merely an unexpected witness who encountered the killer and was killed in the ensuing conflict.

In that case, the entire investigative direction based on "stealing a gun to kill and rob" becomes useless. Investigation into the second victim must now be rethought from the perspective of whether the motive was personal or financial.

Emotions, thoughts, realities flowed through the conference room. Feng Qiong could no longer wait and turned to Kang Zhichao: "Well?"

"You're asking me?" Kang Zhichao was still studying the photos on his laptop.

"Who else? I know you're a bit slow, but what can you do? Even in central ministries, you can't expect colleagues to be skilled, emotionally stable, good-looking, detached from worldly desires, and hardworking—all at once. That's an impossible hexagon."

Kang Zhichao looked up and realized everyone was watching him. "I'm also asking someone." "Who?"

"Old Tao."

Kang Zhichao paused, then added: "I'm a half-baked forensic pathologist—self-taught. Let Old Tao take a look." Feng Qiong sighed helplessly. "What did Old Tao say?"

"Old Tao?" Kang Zhichao glanced at his laptop. "I'm quoting him directly: just one sentence—'So impressive?' A question."

"And then?" "That's it."

The two spoke openly in front of everyone, with no attempt to hide their words. The county bureau officers exchanged bewildered glances. So this is how central ministry leaders handle dead-end cases? Just pass the buck like this?

"Smoke up."

The director handed Feng Qiong a cigarette. His mood wasn't bad.

If the case followed Jiang Yuan's direction, Feng Qiong and the others would have to return to Anhai City and use Anhai City Bureau personnel to investigate and gather evidence locally.

For Miaohé County Bureau, yes, they'd lose a chance to claim credit—but honestly, could such a small county bureau even handle an opportunity like this in a headless case?

Better to get out early.

Director Guan Xingfu glanced at Jiang Yuan and thought: Compared to this, finding Jiang Yuan's dog might be more reliable. Woof...

Kang Zhichao's phone vibrated.

He picked it up and said: "It's Old Tao."

"Put it on speaker." Feng Qiong rubbed his eyes and stopped pretending.

The case had reached a fork in the road. If Jiang Yuan was lying, they'd clearly reject it and continue investigating in Miaohé County. If Jiang Yuan was right, they'd have to leave Miaohé County—and at this point, worrying about image or authority meant nothing.

Kang Zhichao answered the call: "Old Tao, speaker's on. We're in a meeting. Feng Qiong is here, along with several leaders from Miaohé County Bureau and relevant officers."

"A lot of people." Old Tao hissed. "Uh, is the forensic pathologist Jiang Yuan there?" "Right beside me." Feng Qiong cut in: "Old Tao, just give your conclusion. No need to hold back."

Old Tao "ah"ed, then said: "I don't have a conclusion. If you're asking whether I can determine the time difference between the two, I honestly can't confirm it from the photos. But if you're asking me to deny this judgment, I can't do that either. I know I'm going in circles, but here's the thing..."

Old Tao paused, then said: "Relatively speaking, I lean toward the conclusion that the second victim died first. But this judgment, especially regarding time of death, should be discussed with Forensic Pathologist Jiang. Jiang?"

"I'm here." Jiang Yuan replied, then said: "From the photos, the times of death appear very close—about an hour apart. For precise determination, I suggest comparing corneal states."

"I've seen the two photos you sent. The corneas... I didn't notice much difference..." Old Tao's voice, clearly studying the photos on his end, sounded uncertain.

Jiang Yuan said: "The similarity in corneal condition is precisely the problem. Look at other photos: the armed officer died with eyes open; the second victim died with eyes closed. Also, the second victim was likely placed in the trunk immediately after death. In that relatively oxygen-free environment, excess lactic acid from corneal epithelial cells causes corneal stromal swelling and clouding. The sealed trunk accelerates corneal clouding. Meanwhile, the first victim's eyes were open, so corneal moisture evaporated faster, delaying clouding. The degree of corneal clouding differs—compare them."

He knew Old Tao's weakness. Forensic pathologists emphasize practicality, but at this level of detail, it's fundamentally academic.

At this moment, Jiang Yuan possessed Level 6 skill in time-of-death determination and clearly understood the difficulties faced by lower-level pathologists—just as an expert teacher knows exactly where students struggle.

On the other end of the line, the old man let out a soft "oh," then fell silent for a long time.

Feng Qiong waited several minutes, helplessly saying: "You tech people—why do you just stop talking?"

Old Tao "ssss"ed, as if waking up. "Kang, what do you think?"

Kang Zhichao didn't answer. "I'm a trace evidence specialist. You decide."

Old Tao didn't hesitate. He chuckled twice. "Alright, per Feng's request, here's my conclusion: Impressive!"