Era of Magic and Martial Arts-Chapter 372 - 356: I Like This Gift

Zone 9 Patrol Office Forensic Pathology Report sdecs-458:

[Autopsy Report]

1. Basic Information

Deceased: Gong Lao

Gender: Male

Age: 40 years

Time of Death: 233/04/27 XX:XX.

2. External Examination The body measures 170cm in length, showing normal development and good nutrition. Livor mortis is distributed on the dorsal side of the body and pressure points, with rigor mortis present in all muscles. The face exhibits a painful expression, pupils are dilated, and petechiae are visible in the conjunctiva. Cyanosis is present on the lips and nails. The body surface shows burn marks concentrated mainly in the upper body.

3. Body Examination

1. Burn Characteristics: The body is in a typical pugilistic stance (limbs flexed), with approximately 85% of the body surface covered in fourth-degree burns. The dorsal skin is severely carbonized; notable observations include:

o The burn depth on the anterior chest varies in a gradient: a grid-like scab at the xiphoid process consistent with characteristics of flame accelerant.

o The thenar eminence on the right palm retains relatively intact skin, exhibiting an abnormal "glove effect."

2. Mechanical Injuries:

o There is a spindle-shaped wound measuring 1.2×0.3cm located 3cm below the right scapula, with the wound margins curled. Flame burns cause epidermal glazing around 5cm area.

o Comminuted fracture extending to the skull base from the occipital region, fracture lines manifest as "branch-like" under charred scalp, consistent with window frame metal cross-section shape.

o Five pieces of uniquely shaped glass fragments are embedded in the posterior right elbow joint, showing a laminated structure under polarized light microscopy.

Internal Examination Findings:

1. Respiratory System:

o Through-and-through injury on the lower lobe of the right lung, with trace amounts of cold-rolled steel fragments found in the wound channel (consistent with the features of the metal short dagger found at the scene).

o No soot deposition in bronchial tree, intact mucosa at the glottis, conflicting with deep burn signs.

2. Circulatory System:

o 200ml of blood accumulation in the pericardial cavity, aortic external membrane shows radial tear, consistent with hemodynamic changes from a high fall.

o "Beaded" thrombosis in small arteries at the burn-normal skin junction, indicating abnormal coagulation activation during the perimortem period.

Supplementary Laboratory Tests:

1. 3D Trauma Reconstruction: By laser scanning of the wound trajectory, calculations show the dagger was inserted at an angle of 17° elevation, with a 14.7° deviation from a potential self-inflicted wound by the right-hand dominant deceased.

2. Micro Evidence Analysis:

o Carbon particles in the nail crevices contain 40-micron iron dust, consistent with wear patterns of the metal short dagger blade found at the scene.

Forensic Analysis:

1. Determining the Sequence of Injuries:

o The organization of the hematoma around the lung penetration suggests survival for approximately 5-8 minutes post-injury.

o Collegen denaturation thermogram for burn skin confirms burning occurred 10±5 minutes before cardiac arrest.

2. Deduction of Cause of Death:

o Primary Cause of Death: Stab wound puncturing pulmonary vessels causing hemorrhagic shock (approximately 1500ml hemothorax).

o Accelerating Death Factor: Brainstem contusion from a high fall.

o Post-mortem cremation caused corpse damage rate to 72%, but did not alter core biomechanical evidence.

Conclusion:

1. Mode of Death is homicide disguised as self-immolation accident.

2. Weapon is a single-edged stabbing instrument (length ≥22cm), can be identified as the metal short knife left at the scene.

3. Signs of additional toss during fall (calculations show initial speed need to be 4.2m/s).

Forensic Signature: Bai Ye

Feng Mu licked his lips, picked up the autopsy report, took two or three steps forward to stand in front of Chen Yang, flicked his wrist, and the paper slapped against the other’s chest with a "snap", smiling:

"Though you’re trying to frame me,"

Feng Mu’s tongue lightly pressed against his palate, his voice eerie like a snake’s hiss,

"I have to admit, this autopsy report was done beautifully."

His fingers glided across the report’s edges, as if caressing a lover’s skin: "I really like this gift, I hope you do too."

Cold sweat broke out on Chen Yang’s neck; he couldn’t quite grasp what Feng Mu meant, and he felt that Feng Mu’s smile resembled a carefully painted mask, the upward curve of the lips sending chills down his spine, especially as those eyes were as cold as the morgue’s steel cabinets.

"You..."

Chen Yang’s voice was a bit tight, his back pressed against the wall, the cold sensation seeping through his uniform into his skin:

"What are you going to do?"

Feng Mu’s gaze fell on Chen Yang’s face, yet seemed to penetrate his body, staring straight at a figure behind the wall, he murmured:

"It’s okay if you don’t understand, because you’ll soon find out."

Feng Mu turned his head and gave Li Shang a smile, then stepped back a few paces and sat squarely back on the interrogation chair.

This time, no one came forward to cuff him.

The interrogation room’s incandescent light cast a pallid glow over him, enveloping him wholly. With Feng Mu’s exquisite smile, the picture had an unexpected hint of sanctity.

Li Shang’s gaze lingered on Feng Mu for a moment, Detective’s intuition catching that unusual aura from Feng Mu.

His smile instantly became a bit more sincere:

"Sit tight here for a moment, I’m going to handle some procedural things. Um, do you need to make a call outside?"

Feng Mu gently shook his head, politely making a gesture of please:

"No need, I’ll wait quietly. You go ahead, Captain Li."

The interrogation room door closed.

In the corridor, Li Shang dropped his smile, coldly glanced at Chen Yang, and said icily:

"Forging evidence, holding a private press conference, taking bribes, coerced confessions, suspected of murder, huh, take Chen Yang to the adjacent interrogation room."

Chang Erbing grinned, pulling out handcuffs. He grabbed Chen Yang’s wrist, the force almost crushing the bone.

Chen Yang instinctively dodged, the handcuffs clinked heavily on his already fractured finger, twisting his face with pain.

"Captain Li, you can’t do this, I..."

Chen Yang’s voice carried a hint of panic, veins bulging on his neck, as if they were about to break through the skin.

Li Shang mercilessly interrupted him: "Can or can’t, it’s not up to you to decide."

His voice sparing no disdain:

"I know you want to climb higher, but your steps were too big.

Some opportunities aren’t for rookies like you. I don’t know, how you young constables all have such guts, no regard for rules, huh, take him away!"

Li Shang flicked his hand like swatting away a fly, and Chang Erbing immediately hauled Chen Yang to the next room.

Chen Yang struggled desperately, his dress shoes screeching across the floor, like fingernails scraping on a chalkboard, a shrill sound that set one’s teeth on edge.

The sharp screeching called Feng Ju out from the observation room; his expression was dark as he gazed towards the corridor.

"Hold on!"

Feng Ju extended his blackened arm, blocking in front of Chang Erbing.

Chang Erbing came to a sudden halt, nearly colliding with that metallic arm.

His expression changed slightly, facing Feng Ju’s cold, gleaming mechanical arm, he sensibly chose not to press forward.

He turned to look at Li Shang, seeing the latter squinting silently, had no choice but to stiffly ask:

"Captain Feng, didn’t know you were here too, but, what’s the meaning of this?"