"Impossible, I've tested this rectal temperature multiple times and it's correct."
"You're not wrong about the rectal temperature measurement, but you've overlooked her pathological characteristics! If we consider that, her correct time of death should be 49 hours."
"Alright, you just said the male corpse wasn't dragged. Then why would the killer burn him?"
He Xin immediately chimed in, "Perhaps to increase his suffering!"
I shook my head and took out a bottle of white vinegar, sprinkling it on the body. Before Ling Xiaotao could stop me, I said, "No, this person was also frozen. Look at the surface of the skin; it's developed layers of frost. These things were hidden, but my white vinegar has made them reappear."
"White vinegar? How did you do that?" Ling Xiaotao asked, surprised.
I replied, "Actually, white vinegar can change the boiling point of some mediums. The cause of death for this male corpse should be the wound on his finger, which is the same as what your report states."
Hearing my praise, Ling Xiaotao coldly replied, "I don't need you to tell me that."
Captain Guo then opened the shroud of the other body.
As I noticed the female corpse, I saw a piece of flesh had been removed from her chest. I pointed to the area and said, "I don't need to elaborate on this, do I? Your report didn't mention it at all."
"Ah!" Ling Xiaotao looked a bit embarrassed. She shone a white light on it and quickly discovered something, replying, "Was this picked out with tweezers?"
"Could it be that you accidentally did this during the autopsy?" Liu Yuning suddenly asked.
Ling Xiaotao vehemently shook her head, "How could we make such a low-level mistake!"
"It wasn't caused by oversight, but the characteristic here hadn't manifested," I said.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Some corrosive agent must have been used in this area, but it takes time to react. I've just cut off a piece of flesh; you can take it for analysis!"
Perhaps it was the commanding tone of my voice, but Ling Xiaotao reluctantly said, "Why me?"
"I don't have any other forensic doctors here," I replied matter-of-factly.
Ugh...
"Do you know, Mr. He Sheng, I can't stand your conceited attitude!"
"Go! Go! Go! Get back to work!" Liu Yuning impatiently urged.
"What do you mean? This is my place, and it's not for you to boss me around!"
At this moment, Captain Guo spoke, "Forensic Doctor Ling, please go. Don't delay."
Ling Xiaotao pouted, looking as if she had something to say but didn't. Her eyebrows were knitted, her almond-shaped eyes widened, and her brow was furrowed as if it were a twisted fish tail pattern. But I could see that she seemed quite obedient to Captain Guo.
She picked up the sample of flesh and left. Her assistant, who had been standing there, stared at us in surprise.
"You come help too, draw some blood again!" I instructed.
"But Forensic Doctor Ling has already done this test!" the assistant replied.
I shook my head, "If some agent was used on the body, then previous test results could be skewed."
"Uh, okay, I wonder if Forensic Doctor Ling..."
"It's alright, tell me the blood test results later."
After the assistant took the blood, I was the only one left in the forensic laboratory. He Xin, who was beside me, said, "They're quite bold. But it's the first time I've seen someone dare to confront us."
"It's provincialism. They don't know the outside world. I've seen plenty of these highly educated but arrogant graduates before," Liu Yuning said dismissively, picking up a lock of her hair and meticulously tidying it.
He Xin patted her hands and came to my side, "Dad, do you need my help with anything?"
"You're not a forensic doctor; I can handle this myself!"
As I spoke, my attention returned to other parts of the male corpse. This time, I observed the deceased's genitals.
However, that area looked severely shriveled. I compared it to Ling Xiaotao's report, which stated: "The deceased had sexual dysfunction and should have been unable to engage in normal sexual activity for a long time."
I flicked the male corpse's genitals, only to find that the flesh in that area had been cut. Adhesive had been used later to bond it, as if it were broken pottery. In other words, this part of the male corpse had been perversely treated.
Noticing me staring at the male's genitals, He Xin couldn't help but blush slightly, "Dad, what are you...?"
"The male corpse's genitals were processed in a strange way by the killer. It seems the killer might be female and was possibly bullied by the male victim?" I speculated.
"Targeting that specific part of the male victim's body, it's easy to associate that kind of hatred!" Liu Yuning mused.
He Xin dared not look directly at the area and suddenly seemed to notice something, her gaze shifting to the male victim's abdomen.
I also noticed it at that moment. I raised my right hand and tapped it. The abdomen cracked open slightly.
"It seems many parts of this corpse were cut open, but later some bonding technique was used to make the corpse appear unharmed."
"Sewing technique? Is she a seamstress?"
"No, I mean bonding technique."
"Is there any fundamental difference?" He Xin questioned.
"Of course. Bonding likely involves some chemical agent, whereas sewing refers to needle and thread work. Alright, I'll cut another piece of skin with a wound for analysis. I believe this will be a corpse that continues to fascinate me!"
"Don't get too absorbed. Solve this case and forget about the corpse!"
I gave a wry smile. Sometimes, I had a peculiar affection for corpses. I admit that I was a bit perverted; even beautiful women couldn't attract me as much as corpses did.
Except for Liu Yuning, of course.
As I took the items for analysis, He Xin and Liu Yuning also came out. I now regretted not bringing Xie Chuchu or Xiao Dong. I was overwhelmed with work here.
After I analyzed the adhesive and found its composition to be polyvinyl alcohol, a water-soluble adhesive that melts when heated and is a solid adhesive. Most thermoplastic resins can be used on soft materials, and skin is no exception.
No wonder the killer used such a substance. I was writing my report when Ling Xiaotao returned. A look of embarrassment appeared on her face: "It seems all your guesses were correct. The analysis result was nitric alcohol solution, which is a traditional corrosive agent. However, due to the small proportion and special treatment by the killer, it required an oxidation reaction to take effect."