The Forensic Doctor Better Than a Detective

”But now, as to how to break through the last layer of window dressing, from where to start, indeed requires careful strategic and technical consideration. We must neither rush nor act recklessly.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Political Commissioner Li suggested, ”Should we consider involving a psychological testing expert to conduct a lie detector test?”

”Perhaps we can find some clues from the suspect’s reactions.”

Mr. Hou nodded slightly but cautiously analyzed, ”A lie detector test can certainly be done. As an auxiliary investigative tool, it has some reference value.”

”But you also know, the results cannot yet be used as convicting evidence in court.”

”Moreover, our problem now is not a lack of direction but a lack of physical or objective evidence that directly links the suspect to the case.”

As the two fell into a brief silence, Jiang An, who had been sitting quietly listening, suddenly spoke, ”Director Hou, I do have an idea here, though I’m not sure if it will help the case.”

”Go on.”

Almost simultaneously, Political Commissioner Li and Director Hou put down their tea cups, their gazes focused intently on Jiang An.

”During the interrogation observation, I noticed Guo Yong’s left hand is rather peculiar.”

”His right hand is no different from an ordinary person’s, but the middle finger of his left hand is noticeably shortened, with the tip almost on the same level as the adjacent index and ring fingers.”

”Such a deformity is quite rare among the general population. If we could find traces at the crime scene or related evidence matching this feature, it might become a key breakthrough in the case.”

Hearing this, Political Commissioner Li and Director Hou both froze.

They had observed the whole time from behind the one-way mirror in the interrogation room, yet completely missed this detail.

”Could such a situation really exist?”

Jiang An nodded firmly and further explained, ”Just now, I paid special attention to his hands’ appearance while observing the suspect.”

”If we can verify that his left middle finger is indeed shorter than the index finger, then during the execution of a throttling action, due to the lack of middle finger length, the force distribution would differ from that of a normal person.”

”Typically, when a person strangles another, the resulting finger impressions form a particular arc.”

As he spoke, he held out his hand to simulate the choking motion, his fingertips slightly arched.

”But if the middle and index fingers are of equal length, or even shorter, it would inevitably leave abnormally straight or displaced special pressure marks on the right side of the victim’s neck.”

”Such trace differences caused by physiological features, although subtle, could become a crucial breakthrough point.”

Political Commissioner Li and Director Hou exchanged a meaningful look, reading approval and realization in each other’s eyes.

”This indeed is a direction worth investigating,” Political Commissioner Li first spoke, ”Mr. Jiang truly deserves his forensic background; his sensitivity to the link between human anatomy and marks is truly admirable.”

Director Hou also nodded in agreement, ”This reasoning based on physiological characteristics is precisely the blind spot that’s easily overlooked in conventional investigative thinking.”

Jiang An smiled modestly and added, ”This is just a hypothesis for now and may not immediately identify the killer.”

”But if we confirm this feature and the corresponding mark patterns match, it would undoubtedly become a highly indicative piece of objective evidence.”

”Given this,”

Director Hou immediately stood up, his expression resolute, ”there’s no time to lose, let’s head to the autopsy center right away to re-examine the marks on the neck of the body.”