The crackdown on organized crime began with the arrest of the mother-in-law.

Chapter 871 Dissecting a Corpse

As the investigation continued, several new clues were discovered at the scene. About twenty meters from the body, investigators found a glove, suspected to have been discarded by the perpetrator. The glove had dark red stains, possibly blood. Li Ming immediately arranged for the glove to be sent for testing and began a focused investigation of the area where it was found.

During the investigation, Li Ming also arranged for some police officers to interview residents in the vicinity of the scene to inquire whether anyone had seen suspicious persons or vehicles before or after the incident. However, due to the remote location of the poplar grove and the limited number of residents in the surrounding area, no valuable clues were obtained so far.

As night fell completely, the on-site investigation continued in a tense but orderly manner. The investigators, using powerful flashlights, continued their search of the site.

After several hours of arduous investigation, most of the key clues at the scene had been collected. Li Ming and Qin Chuan summarized the day's investigation and formulated the next steps in the investigation. "Chief Qin, today's investigation yielded significant results, but further in-depth investigation is needed to identify the murderer. Tomorrow, I plan to arrange for officers to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the deceased's social relationships, while also following up on the test results of various physical evidence," Li Ming reported to Qin Chuan.

Qin Chuan patted Li Ming on the shoulder: "Xiao, everyone has worked hard today. This case is heinous and has a great social impact. We must do our best to solve it as soon as possible. Report to the bureau immediately if you need anything."

Li Ming nodded firmly: "Director Qin, rest assured, we will definitely live up to the organization's trust and give the deceased and their families an explanation."

That afternoon, the body was sent back to the Criminal Investigation Division.

In the forensic autopsy room, Zhang Lin and her assistant Xiao Zhou arrived early, put on professional autopsy gowns, masks, gloves, and goggles, and a battle to uncover the truth was about to begin.

"Xiao Zhou, check the dissection tools to make sure everything is ready," Zhang Lin said to her assistant while tidying up her equipment. Xiao Zhou quickly checked the scalpels, forceps, scissors, and other tools on the dissection table and nodded in response, "Forensic Doctor Zhang, all the tools are ready."

Zhang Lin gently lifted the white sheet, revealing the decomposing face of the corpse. She picked up a magnifying glass and carefully examined the facial features. "Xiao Zhou, take note: the skin on the face is bluish-green with numerous putrefied veins; these are typical characteristics of decomposition." Xiao Zhou diligently took notes while asking, "Forensic Doctor Zhang, can these features help us more accurately determine the time of death?"

Zhang Lin frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "Judging solely from facial decomposition is not accurate enough. However, considering the temperature, humidity, and rigor mortis of the body at the scene yesterday, the time of death is most likely around a week ago. But we still need to conduct an autopsy to examine the decomposition of the internal organs and the degree of digestion of the stomach contents to further confirm the time."

As she spoke, Zhang Lin picked up a scalpel and skillfully cut open the skin and subcutaneous tissue along the center of the corpse's chest, her movements steady and precise. "Xiao Zhou, carefully observe the muscle tissue under the skin for any abnormal bleeding or damage," Zhang Lin reminded her assistant as she operated. Xiao Zhou stared intently at the dissected area, carefully observed, and then replied, "Forensic Doctor Zhang, the muscle tissue is dark red in color, and no obvious bleeding points are visible."

After opening the chest cavity, Zhang Lin carefully removed the heart, lungs, and other organs, placing them on a tray beside her. "Look," Zhang Lin said, pointing to the heart, "there are a few bleeding points on the surface of the heart, and the myocardial tissue is dark in color. This could be a sign of mechanical asphyxiation leading to cardiac hypoxia." Xiao Zhou carefully noted this finding and then asked, "Forensic Doctor Zhang, are there any abnormalities in the lungs?"

Zhang Lin carefully examined the lungs. "The surface of the lungs was congested, dark red in color, and hard in texture, which is consistent with the pathological characteristics of the lungs when dying from asphyxiation. In addition, there was a small amount of foamy fluid in the lung tissue, which further confirmed the inference of mechanical asphyxiation."

Next, Zhang Lin began dissecting the abdomen. She skillfully opened the abdominal cavity and removed the stomach, intestines, and other digestive organs. "Xiao Zhou, measure the stomach's fullness and record the types and amounts of its contents," Zhang Lin said. Xiao Zhou quickly picked up the measuring tools, measured the stomach, and reported: "Forensic Doctor Zhang, there are about 100 milliliters of semi-digested food in the stomach, mainly rice, vegetables, and meat."

Zhang Lin carefully examined the stomach contents. "Judging from the degree of digestion of the stomach contents, the deceased should have been murdered 2 to 3 hours after eating. We will take samples of the stomach contents and send them for component analysis to determine the specific type of food. Perhaps we can find out the location where the deceased last ate before his death."

During the autopsy, Zhang Lin paid special attention to the deceased's skeletal condition. She carefully separated the muscles and bones using specialized tools, checking for fractures or other injuries. "Xiao Zhou, check the limb bones for any signs of fracture caused by external force," Zhang Lin said. After a careful examination, Xiao Zhou replied, "Forensic Doctor Zhang, there are no obvious fractures in the limb bones, but there is a fine abrasion on the left ulna, as if it was caused by a blunt object."

Zhang Lin walked over and carefully examined the scratches. "Although these scratches are subtle, they were likely left by the deceased during the struggle. We took photos and sent relevant samples for testing to see if there were any traces of the murderer on the scratches."

The autopsy lasted for several hours, with Zhang Lin and Xiao Zhou maintaining a high level of focus throughout. Every discovery and every detail was meticulously recorded. After the autopsy, Zhang Lin wearily removed her gloves and said to Xiao Zhou, "Organize all the samples and send them to the lab for testing as soon as possible. This case is serious, and we must provide the police with the most accurate autopsy results to help them solve the case as quickly as possible."

Afterwards, Zhang Lin brought the autopsy report to Li Ming's office. Li Ming and Qin Chuan were discussing the progress of the case when they saw Zhang Lin enter, and their eyes immediately focused on her. "Forensic Doctor Zhang, the autopsy results are in?" Li Ming asked eagerly.

Zhang Lin nodded and placed the autopsy report on the table. "Captain Li, Director Qin, based on the autopsy, we have further determined that the deceased died of mechanical asphyxiation. Judging from the decomposition of the internal organs and the degree of digestion of the stomach contents, the time of death was approximately one week ago. The deceased had eaten rice, vegetables, and meat two to three hours before the incident. In addition, a fine abrasion was found on the left ulna of the deceased, which is likely a resistance injury. We have already taken a sample and sent it for testing."

Li Ming and Qin Chuan carefully reviewed the autopsy report, occasionally asking questions. "Forensic Doctor Zhang, when will the results of the gastric contents test be available?" Qin Chuan asked.