The Forensic Doctor Better Than a Detective

He raised his head, his face tear-stained, ”To be honest, I never thought he would do something so extreme... but now, looking back, perhaps all this is not entirely without reason.”

”Of course, outwardly they say it’s because we’re poor, but I know in my heart... I’m afraid it’s not just about money.”

”They’re mostly worried that if their daughter follows Li Tao, the children they have in the future... might also inherit my mental illness.”

”My illness is no secret in the village, many people gossip behind my back.”

”I understand all this in my heart.”

At this point, Li Mountain’s emotions visibly intensified, his voice trembling, ”It’s me... it’s me who dragged the child down.”

”If I hadn’t gotten this illness back then, maybe he wouldn’t have been looked down upon, perhaps he wouldn’t have ended up where he is now... It’s all my fault, all my fault...”

Before finishing his sentence, he finally couldn’t hold back, covering his face as he sobbed, then the cries grew louder, turning into waves of heart-wrenching wailing.

When Li Mountain’s emotions slightly calmed down, Director Lu spoke in a steady and clear tone: ”We understand your feelings and believe you’re willing to help clarify the situation.”

”Next, please take us to find the evidence from that time.”

He paused slightly, deliberately slowing his voice, and added: ”Rest assured, the law is concerned with facts and relies heavily on evidence.”

”If we ultimately prove that Li Tao committed the harm during a time when he was unable to recognize or control his actions due to a psychiatric episode, the judicial authorities will certainly consider this according to law, and in certain situations, can reduce or even exempt punishment.”

”We need your help now.”

Li Mountain slowly nodded, his voice hoarse, and said in a low tone, ”Thank you.”

”Li Tao... has been a well-behaved and sensible child since he was young, if he hadn’t inherited my illness, perhaps he could now be contributing to society honorably like other people’s children, becoming a pillar of the nation.”

Just as he was about to step out the door, he suddenly stopped, slightly turned his head, and looked toward the tightly closed interrogation room 2 next door.

Accompanied by Zhang Biao, Li Mountain returned to his quiet old house.

The courtyard behind the house hadn’t been tended to for a long time, yet the plants grew lush and abundant, a verdant expanse.

Li Mountain stood on the earthen ground behind the house, silent for a moment, then slowly raised his arm and pointed to a slightly soft spot near some old trees.

A few officers understood, immediately picked up shovels, and began carefully digging in the area he pointed to.

After 10 minutes, a tightly wrapped plastic bag was exposed in the soil.

Taking it out and opening it revealed an old piece of clothing and several items resembling crime tools.

Due to being buried for years, the clothing was tattered and worn, the fabric was corroded and torn in many places, and the color had faded to be barely recognizable.

Jiang An put on gloves, gently spread the clothing open, and examined it thoroughly.

As expected, there were faint dark stains on the front part of the clothing, though dried and darkened to resemble ordinary dirt, they could faintly be distinguished as remnants of bloodstains.

Director Lu stood beside, watching the clothing with a grave expression, and spoke in a deep voice: ”In this state, even if sent to the lab, I’m afraid extracting viable DNA for genetic comparison will be difficult.”

Jiang An pursed his lips gently, his tone carrying some regret: ”Indeed, the likelihood is low.”

”In the wet soil, long-term burial means significant decomposition and natural degradation by microorganisms, likely destroying the biological active components in the bloodstains.”

”Under the current circumstances, the conditions for extracting complete DNA for identification are... probably very limited.”

He paused and added: ”However, we will still try our best, utilizing all possible technical means.”

Director Hou pondered for a moment, continuing to explain to everyone: ”Given the current situation, the overall impact on the evidence chain is still limited, and the materials we’ve already gathered can essentially form a fairly complete logical loop.”

”The next key step is to initiate the psychiatric judicial appraisal procedure for suspect Li Tao.”

”If the appraisal results confirm that he was in a state where he couldn’t recognize or control his actions during the offense, and legally lacked criminal responsibility, then the nature and subsequent course of the case will probably...”

Late at night, Jiang An returned to the temporary accommodation hotel, where the clock hand swept past one in the morning.

After a brief wash-up, he lay down and soon fell into a deep, restful sleep.

That night, he slept especially soundly, a type of undisturbed sleep he hadn’t experienced for a long time.

For Jiang An, behind the resolution of each case is not just the professional accomplishment of uncovering the truth, but also the sudden release of a heavy burden pressing on his heart.

If a case is stuck at a bottleneck, unable to find a breakthrough, even if he were in a soft and comfortable bed, he would still struggle to sleep, his thoughts churning like waves—perhaps this is the professional imprint left by his years in criminal investigation work, a tense rhythm to which his body and emotions have long been accustomed.

The next morning, the warm sunlight covered the ground, quietly seeping into the room through the gaps in the curtains.

Jiang An finally naturally awoke from a long sleep, having slept well until dawn.

He opened his eyes, feeling the long-lost refreshing spirit, as if the days of fatigue had been completely washed away by this night’s rest.

As he awakened from his slumber, the phone screen beside his pillow glowed softly.

A message from Director Lu, ”Mr. Jiang, if you’re awake, please contact Captain Zhang Biao. I’ve arranged for him to accompany you in Dongcheng City today, to stroll and take in the local culture and sights. After days of hard work, it’s time to relax the mind.”

Reading this message, Jiang An’s lips unconsciously turned up.

Director Lu’s thoughtfulness and enthusiasm warmed his heart, but at the moment, his thoughts were not on leisure.

The case had just wrapped up, and fatigue still lingered like a tide that had yet to recede; he wanted to return sooner and properly rest.

Moreover, in this case, he was merely a team member; Team Leader Director Hou was the one commanding the situation, and any actions should naturally be based on Director Hou’s opinions.

Just then, the phone suddenly vibrated, Jiang An glanced at the screen—it’s Director Hou.

”Hello, Director Hou.”

”Mr. Jiang, are you awake? Up yet?”

”Just got up,” Jiang An replied.

Director Hou lightly yawned, then said, ”I just woke up too.”

”Director Lu called me earlier and said he had sent you a message.”

”I think, let’s take half a day here to rest today.”

”Firstly, their hospitality is hard to decline, secondly... in terms of litigation, they might still need to maintain communication with us, there are some details that need further discussion.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang An smiled, his tone calm and straightforward: ”Director Hou, you’re the team leader, I’ll follow your arrangements. If you say stay, we’ll stay.”

Soon, they freshened up and dressed, heading downstairs together toward the hotel lobby.

As soon as they entered the lobby, they saw Captain Zhang Biao already waiting there, casually dressed, looking spirited.

Seeing the two appear, Zhang Biao immediately approached, smiling broadly and greeted: ”Morning, both leaders!”

Jiang An felt a bit sheepish and smiled: ”Morning? It’s all my fault for oversleeping, it’s not early anymore.”

”Oh, I just arrived not long ago too,” Zhang Biao waved his hand, ”Director Lu specifically gave me a day off and told me to make sure to accompany you well, so you can truly experience our Dongcheng City’s local customs.”

”Let’s take our time strolling, no rush.”

”Dinner is already arranged, food and drinks prepared, we’ll have a good gathering—won’t leave until we’re drunk!”

Hearing this, Director Hou laughed loudly: ”Haha, that’s good then, since everyone’s so warmly inviting, we’d rather accept gracefully.”

All along the way, Zhang Biao took on the role of temporary tour guide, introducing local sights and historical anecdotes, speaking humorously and knowledgeably.

.......