Attending ex-girlfriend's wedding, arresting the groom's officer on the spot

Although the initial physical examination had determined that there was no head injury or craniocerebral injury, Zhang Kai still insisted on opening the cranial cavity for examination. As an experienced forensic doctor, he knew that "details determine success or failure." Many hidden craniocerebral injuries cannot be detected by physical examination alone. It is necessary to open the cranial cavity and examine the internal structure of the brain to completely rule out the possibility of death caused by craniocerebral injury, ensure the accuracy of the cause of death determination, and leave no doubts.

"Understood, Teacher Zhang. I'll prepare the tools to open the cranial cavity right away." Xiao Lin immediately got to work, preparing tools such as a skull saw, bone chisel, forceps, and suction device. At the same time, he did a simple cleaning of the dissection table to ensure a clear field of vision. "The tools are ready and the field of vision is clear. We can start opening the cranial cavity."

Zhang Kai nodded, picked up the skull saw, and carefully made a circular incision in the deceased's head, starting from both sides behind the ears and circling the head at a moderate depth, just enough to cut through the scalp and the outer membrane of the skull, avoiding damage to the skull and intracranial brain tissue. He then gently pried open the skull with a bone chisel, moving slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the brain tissue with skull fragments, gradually removing the skull and fully exposing the internal structures of the cranial cavity—the dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater, and brain tissue such as the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.

"Record: Skull intact, no depressed fractures, no comminuted fractures; dura mater intact, no ruptures or bleeding; arachnoid mater without bleeding or adhesions; pia mater smooth and without abnormalities; no blood or fluid accumulation in the cranial cavity, no foreign body residue; preliminary assessment: no brain injury." Xiaolin quickly recorded this, while gently aspirating a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid from the cranial cavity with a suction device to ensure a clear field of vision for easy examination of brain tissue.

Zhang Kai carefully used tweezers to separate the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater, and carefully observed the shape, size, and color of the brain. The brain was grayish-white, of normal volume, with a smooth surface, no hematoma, no laceration, no contusion, and no edema. The cerebral sulci were clear, with no abnormal depressions or bulges. The cerebellum and brainstem were undamaged and without abnormalities. There were no ruptured or deformed cerebral blood vessels, and no underlying intracranial diseases such as cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, or brain tumors. The possibility of death caused by intracranial injury or underlying intracranial diseases was ruled out.

"Teacher Zhang, there is no damage or abnormality in the brain tissue. The cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem are all normal. There are no ruptured or deformed cerebral blood vessels, no underlying intracranial diseases, and the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater are all intact. This further rules out the possibility of death due to traumatic brain injury," Xiao Lin reported carefully after careful observation, his tone carrying a hint of certainty. After a comprehensive examination of the body surface, chest and abdominal cavities, and cranial cavity, it can be preliminarily confirmed that the only cause of death for the deceased was a rupture of the left ventricle of the heart and a rupture of the upper lobe of the left lung, resulting in death from excessive blood loss.

“Okay, collect brain tissue samples.” Zhang Kai carefully extracted a small amount of brain tissue and cerebellum tissue samples with tweezers, and placed them into sterile test tubes, labeling them “Brain tissue sample, for pathological examination” and “Cerebellum tissue sample, for pathological examination and toxicology analysis”. “For pathological examination, to further confirm that there are no abnormalities in the brain tissue. At the same time, for toxicology analysis, to check for any residual toxins absorbed through the blood and nerves, to completely rule out the possibility of death by poisoning, and to ensure the accuracy and scientific nature of the cause of death determination.”

Xiaolin took the test tube and carefully placed it into the sample storage box. At the same time, he added the following note: "The brain tissue sample has been collected and marked. It will be sent to the laboratory for expedited testing to completely rule out the possibility of death due to poisoning or traumatic brain injury."

After examining the brain tissue, Zhang Kai conducted a comprehensive examination of other structures within the cranial cavity, confirming that there were no abnormalities. He then began to organize and reposition the dissected organs. Although the autopsy was nearing its end, as a meticulous forensic doctor, Zhang Kai always adhered to standardized procedures. Even the dissected organs were properly repositioned and organized, respecting the deceased and ensuring the standardization of the autopsy scene.

"Xiao Lin, start organizing the samples now. Count all the samples collected in this autopsy, check the sample quantity and labeling information to ensure that each sample corresponds accurately, without omissions or confusion. Then contact the laboratory to arrange for someone to come and receive the samples for expedited testing," Zhang Kai instructed while organizing the organs. "The samples are the core evidence for subsequent testing and case investigation, so they must be properly stored and accurately labeled. There cannot be any errors. For example, the sample collection site, purpose, and time must be clearly labeled to avoid confusion in subsequent testing and affect the case investigation."

“Understood, Teacher Zhang. I'll start counting the samples and verifying the information right away,” Xiaolin immediately got to work, opening the sample storage box and checking each sample one by one, while also making sample statistics records. “Teacher Zhang, a total of 28 samples of various types were collected in this autopsy, as follows: 4 blood samples (2 from the heart and 2 from the vein), for DNA testing, blood biochemistry testing, and toxicology analysis; 2 myocardial tissue samples, for pathological examination and DNA testing; 2 lung tissue samples (1 from the injured area of ​​the left lung and 1 from the normal area of ​​the right lung), for pathological examination and toxicology analysis; 2 liver tissue samples, for pathological examination and toxicology analysis; 2 liver tissue samples, for pathological examination and toxicology analysis.” Physical examination and toxicology analysis were conducted. One spleen tissue sample was collected for pathological examination; two kidney tissue samples (one from each kidney) were collected for pathological examination and toxicology analysis; three stomach contents samples were collected for component analysis, digestion assessment, and toxicology analysis; two brain tissue samples (one from the cerebrum and one from the cerebellum) were collected for pathological examination and toxicology analysis; one cardiac blood clot sample was collected for blood biochemistry analysis; additionally, one fingerprint sample and five hair samples were collected for DNA testing and identification. All samples were clearly labeled, without omissions or confusion, and the laboratory will be contacted immediately to arrange for their receipt.

“Very good, the statistics are accurate and the annotations are clear,” Zhang Kai nodded approvingly. “When contacting the laboratory, I specifically instructed them to prioritize testing the degree of digestion of the stomach contents, blood biochemical indicators, and liver tissue pathological indicators to accurately estimate the time of death; at the same time, prioritize testing the blood, stomach contents, liver, and brain tissue for toxicological analysis to completely rule out the possibility of poisoning; in addition, prioritize testing the deceased’s DNA sample and comparing it with the bloodstain samples extracted from the scene to confirm that the bloodstains at the scene were all left by the deceased, and at the same time, enter the deceased’s DNA into the national DNA database to compare with the DNA of missing persons to assist the investigation team in confirming the deceased’s identity.”

“Understood, Professor Zhang. I will specifically instruct the lab to expedite the testing process according to your requirements, ensuring results are available as soon as possible to support the case investigation,” Xiao Lin said, while taking out her phone to contact the relevant lab personnel, explaining the sample details, testing priorities, and time requirements in detail. After hanging up, she told Zhang Kai, “Professor Zhang, I’ve contacted the lab. They will arrange for someone to come and receive the samples within 10 minutes and will strictly adhere to your requirements, expediting the testing process. They will notify us of any progress immediately.” (End of Chapter)