Enclose land

Author: Zhang Shimin / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Murder! Murder! Tian Fu believed instinctively that it was murder. The killer had locked and beaten Sang Kuo-suo to death before moving the body to the pond's edge, throwing it into the pond, and placing a set of fishing gear there to transform the scene into Sang Kuo-suo accidentally drowning while fishing. Of course, this conclusion still needed to be confirmed by the forensic autopsy report. He urged Qi Hua-shan to expedite the process. Qi Hua-shan worked diligently, and by eight o'clock that evening, the report was ready. The autopsy report clearly stated: silicon dioxide, fine mud, and microorganisms were found in the victim's respiratory tract and lungs, indicating that the victim had (conscious breathing) when they fell into the water; (1) high concentrations of ethanol were detected in the victim's stomach and blood, exceeding normal levels by five to eight times, suggesting the victim was intoxicated before falling into the water; (2) the victim had three wounds on their back, each about ten centimeters long, with shallow indentations and slight bleeding, but they were not fatal; (3) no sharp instrument wounds or blunt force trauma marks were found on the victim's heart, liver, stomach, intestines, or spleen; (4) the time of death was approximately eight hours, suggesting the victim fell into the water around 10 PM on the night of June 23.
Scene Evidence Analysis: (1) Fingerprints of the victim, Sang Kuo-suo, were found on the fishing net, bamboo poles, and bamboo basket. No other fingerprints were detected. (2) Four sole impression patterns were collected from the scene. Two matched the sole patterns of Zhou Shui-gen, a local resident who first discovered the scene and reported it to the police. The other two were the victim's sole prints.
"Based on the examination results, the victim had consumed alcohol before their death," the forensic pathologist analyzed. "They were holding fishing gear and fell into the pond, dying from drowning—a tragic accident."
"Is there really no problem?" Tian Fu frowned. "What do you mean?" the forensic pathologist looked at him. "I'm referring to the diatoms." "Don't you trust me? The body and the examination data are right here," Qi Hua-shan said slightly displeased. "Old Qi, don't misunderstand me," he quickly greeted. "I'm not saying that." "Then what do you mean?" "I think this differs greatly from what I anticipated." "What's your take?" "I believe this was a homicide," Tian Fu said. "He was beaten to death and then thrown into the pond—dead before being submerged."
"But this is science," the forensic pathologist pointed to the report. "Moreover, there are his footprints near the pond. If he had already died, how could he stand there? And if he couldn't stand, how would footprints be left?"
"It's simple," he said. "Old Qi, can we consider this from a different angle?" "Sure." "I think the victim was beaten and then force-fed alcohol. In a semi-conscious, drowsy state but still breathing, they were thrown into the pond, eventually drowning. This would explain why diatoms and other pond microorganisms were found in their respiratory tract."
"But what about the footprints near the pond and the fingerprints on the fishing gear?" "It's simple. Before throwing Sang Kuo-suo into the water, while he was drunk and unconscious, someone made him touch the fishing net, bamboo poles, and basket, leaving his fingerprints. Then, they helped him stand, leaving his footprints, before finally throwing him into the water."
"Imaginative," the forensic pathologist nodded. "But just as I use autopsy data to support my conclusions, as a criminal investigator, you must also use reliable evidence to back up your reasoning."
"Of course," Tian Fu said.
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