Novice Forensic Doctor

Chapter 156: Chapter 155 The Tutor’s Assignment_1

Mr. Zhao, trusting as ever, dialed the direct line to the inspection department, and after a short while, the call connected.

"Hello, this is Zhao Xinli from team two. I wanted to ask if there has been an arson case from Jingkou District Bureau brought in for inspection these past few days?"

The person on the other end seemed to search for a bit before answering:

"We’ve received quite a few samples. Why, has this case now been handed over to team two?"

Mr. Zhao was startled and quickly said:

"No, no, I’m just asking. A friend of mine was classmates with the victim, Fang Hua. He’s quite upset after hearing about it and just wanted to inquire. It has nothing to do with our team two."

The person on the line gave an "Oh" in response.

"I see. I thought you had taken over. The folks from Jingkou District are just waiting here for the results. They said that the husband set fire to and killed his wife and daughter. It’s quite a tragedy anyway."

Mr. Zhao made some pleasantries and then hung up the phone.

"Looking at the situation in Jingkou District, it looks like this case is pretty much closed. Do you still want to know the details? If you do, I can ask around for you."

Mr. He let out a long sigh and shook his head as he grabbed the bottle of liquor, looking at the two men.

"No need to ask. What’s the use when the person’s already gone? Since we’ve called for a designated driver, let’s just drink up today and celebrate Zhou Xiaozhou buying his car. I’ve already had a bottle myself. Why haven’t you guys started? Come on, no dawdling, are we fish farming here?"

...

September 2, 2011

Zhou Ning opened his eyes and rubbed his arms, legs, and even his hair, which seemed to still carry that charred smell as if struck by lightning.

The system wasn’t working, but the nightly grueling training went on as usual, not a single day off, and recently there even seemed to be an upward trend. The types of autopsies were becoming more varied, and the mixed injuries were particularly difficult to assess, which gave Zhou Ning a headache.

However, there was one advantage; the tougher the training, the less he had those dreams.

Just after Zhou Ning finished washing up, his phone rang. It was a call from Doctor Lu.

"Doctor Lu, so early?"

"Zhou Xiaozhou, come to Qindao University a bit early. Professor Li Chengbin arrived last night, and first thing in the morning, Mr. Liu called me and said Professor Li wants to see you, so we’ve arranged it for 8:30."

Zhou Ning was startled and quickly stood up. The Professor Li he had been thinking about had actually arrived.

"I’ll be there right away, ten minutes tops!"

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Ning changed into a short-sleeved police uniform, his most formal attire; after all, his other clothes were just T-shirts, and he didn’t pay much attention to dressing up.

He hurried over to the office building of the computer science department, where the podium had already been designated as the software development center. As he entered, he saw Doctor Lu standing by the door, hastily waving to Zhou Ning.

"You wouldn’t believe it—Professor Li is just like you in temperament. He just got here too. Come on, I’ll take you to see him."

Zhou Ning nodded, his palms sweating with nervousness. After all, Professor Li’s international reputation was formidable, and his expertise in criminal investigation and forensic anthropology was uniquely insightful.

Following Doctor Lu to the reception room, as the door opened, Professor Li turned around to face Zhou Ning and quickly walked over.

"It seems you must be Zhou Ning, also known as Zhou Xiaozhou?"

Zhou Ning was a bit embarrassed and, after shaking hands with Professor Li, he fidgeted nervously with his pants.

"Nice to meet you, Professor Li. You can call me anything. I... I’ve always admired you deeply. Ever since choosing this field of study, I’ve often followed various reports, oh, and a documentary too; I even made notes."

Professor Li laughed uncontrollably, and Doctor Lu, standing by, also joined in the laughter while Mr. Liu gestured.

"Looks like Professor Li has gained a fanboy as a student. Let’s sit down to talk, don’t stand up anymore."

As they all took seats on the round of sofas, Zhou Ning was pulled to sit next to Professor Li, feeling his palpable joy.

"Doctor Lu already informed me about you, and I was taken aback at first. I did read that paper, and I remember thinking at the time: ’Who is this person I’ve never heard of?’ After all, I know a few people in the domestic forensic circle who specialize in this area of study. Hearing him say how young you are, I was quite surprised.

"To think that you also spearheaded this software is really outstanding, a true case of the student surpassing the master. But which university did you graduate from, and who was your advisor?"

Zhou Ning felt a bout of awkwardness; could he leave out the part about his advisor?

"I graduated from Luxi Medical University with a master’s in forensic science. My advisor..."

Before Zhou Ning could speak, Doctor Lu interjected, aware that Zhou Ning had already relayed the embarrassing incident and mentioned his mentor’s name to him. If Doctor Lu were to inquire further, it would indeed be an embarrassing situation. Doctor Lu patted Li Chengbin on the back.

Before Zhou Ning could speak, Doctor Lu interjected, after all, Zhou Ning had told him about the embarrassing incident at the time, and had mentioned his mentor’s name. If someone were to inquire, it would truly be terribly embarrassing. Doctor Lu patted Li Chengbin.

"Let me tell you, Professor Li, Zhou Ning was not exceptional during his school days and was constantly chided by his mentor. Only his face was memorable. Who would have thought that once this young man entered the workforce, he would critically analyze problems? You haven’t seen the research directions Zhou Ning listed for me; not even professionals show such logical thinking."

While speaking, he handed a stack of documents to Li Chengbin—these were all the ideas Zhou Ning had shared with Doctor Lu.

However, they had been summarized and organized by Doctor Lu, and each item had been carefully analyzed, along with expansive musings on research directions—such detail.

Zhou Ning glanced over and couldn’t help doubting, were these really the ideas he had sent to Doctor Lu?

Upon reflection, he felt relieved. Every famous person has one or several disciples who can dissect what they say and think. The truly astounding thing is not the words in the original works, but this analysis, which is more thought-provoking.

Often, the success of the software was prompted by Zhou Ning’s suggestions and lists, which inspired Doctor Lu.

Li Chengbin carefully reviewed the documents, nodding more and more as he read, even discussing some parts with Doctor Lu. Zhou Ning, on the other hand, didn’t say much.

After half an hour of reviewing these documents, Li Chengbin put down the files in his hands and looked at Zhou Ning with great emotion.

"I never expected that frontline work would give you so much inspiration. I think your ideas are very advanced. To my knowledge, people both domestically and internationally are researching related software, but their perspective is limited, and they’re detached from practical application. Even if they develop some features, they can’t spread widely."

Zhou Ning nodded; of course he knew.

After all, as the software developed, it increasingly strayed from the original concept and was geared towards practical application. Now, every case he solved had the shadow of the software’s application within it.

"This is the credit of the team. I just have the ideas, but others need to implement them. When I worked in Qidong, I insisted on involving Doctor Lu and the team in the investigation of our cases. The same is true now at the technical department in the city bureau, where we even established specialized laboratories.

Take the 7.4 car accident case we just solved, for example. Without the second phase animation simulation of the software, we couldn’t have reconstructed the impacts caused by the accident. After all, each impact leads to different kinds of damage that correspond to fracture locations, compression strength, and injury severity—a series of calculations that can’t be completed through just surveying and autopsy alone."

Li Chengbin inquired about the details of the case and, discussing his expertise, Zhou Ning was no longer nervous. He spoke freely, introducing each case from Zhang Guanglei to Sun Manqing, including the investigation process. Li Chengbin continuously nodded in agreement.

"Indeed impressive. You’ve collaborated with many domestic enterprises to manufacture specialized equipment for your team. I’ll definitely take a look when I have the chance. If possible, it should be promoted together with the software in an integrated laboratory."

Such remarks made Mr. Liu quite excited.

"I had the same intention. After all, we have the blueprints for this equipment and the patents in our hands. If we could promote them together, we could have complete control. With uniform training, even non-professionals could operate it."

"It seems you’ve also considered this. Good, then allocate people and expedite the development of phases three and four. If the video processing is also completed, and after some operational testing, you can promote it internationally. However, the premise is establishing the database, which I will help you to do.

Oh, and there’s another crucial task—it’s to make sure that you don’t only focus on the domestic market for these software and various patents. You must register and apply for patents internationally first.

To prevent some people from exploiting any loopholes. After all, countries like Ying City and Mi Country have also invested a lot of manpower and resources. Moreover, when you register, aim for a broad scope that covers a wider range."

Mr. Liu was very happy, after all, Professor Li’s intentions were to help Qindao University maintain control of the software, which would be a great help in its promotion.

It wasn’t until nearly noon that their conversation ended. Li Chengbin still seemed to have more to say, but glancing at the time, he sighed.

"The time is too rushed. I’ll come again next time. I want to spend a few days with Zhou Ning at their technical department and work on a case using the software. The more we talk, the more eager I am. But I have to fly to Mi Country soon; there is a forensic science conference to attend.

Zhou Ning is now effectively my PhD student. As for the research direction, I think it’s best not to set it for now. Let’s proceed with your current research directions. That way, I can also benefit from it. If you encounter any problems, you can contact me, whether it’s related to research or cases."

With that, Li Chengbin stood up, and everyone else got up to see him off, evidently heading straight for the airport. But just as he stood up, he smacked his head and said to Zhou Ning.

"Oh, right, there’s something I need to ask of you. An old friend contacted me recently. His son has been arrested in Qindao as a suspect in a high-profile case.

His son, Dong Chengwen, is a lawyer, one of the top-tier ones in Qindao. He doesn’t believe his son would kill someone, especially not setting a fire to kill his wife and daughter. However, he himself has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy, so he can’t come here.

He hopes I can help him find someone to review the case, to perform another autopsy and conduct a secondary investigation. I’ve already spoken to Mr. Hu about it, but I’m hoping you can take over the second autopsy and identification for this case at the technical department."

Zhou Ning was taken aback.

Instantly, he thought of Mr. He’s ex-girlfriend, who appeared to have been burned to death by her husband. He tentatively asked, frёewebnoѵēl.com

"Is it the arson case at the end of June in Jingkou District that killed the wife and daughter? The victim’s name is Fang Hua?"

Li Chengbin paused, pulled up his phone, found a message, and forwarded the contents to Zhou Ning.

"Yes, that’s the name. His granddaughter is called Dong Xiaomi. I’ve forwarded you the message from his father. There’s just one principle: to check if there are any hidden aspects to the case and to restore the truth."

Zhou Ning nodded.

"Don’t worry, Professor. As a forensic doctor, I know my duty."