SFTD -Chapter 29 Giant Cadaveric Swelling (Part 9)

After hauling out the freezer, a layer of white frost quickly formed over the entire package.

As Xu Biao sprayed chemicals over it, the frost gradually dissipated, revealing purple fingerprints, palm prints, and glove marks.

Judging from the layering and distribution, several of the fingerprints were relatively fresh and intact.

Xu Biao quickly collected and photographed them. Of course, the first thing was to lift the victim’s fingerprints as well—this was the fastest way to confirm the victim’s identity.

Not long after, the sound of police sirens echoed outside.

Xiao Liang helped Xu Biao place scale markers and take photos while Zhou Hai and Captain Huang returned to the living room.

Hearing the noise, Xu Xiangyun nervously stood up.

Sure enough, many police cars had arrived outside.

“Th-this…What happened now? Why… Why are there so many police officers here?”

Captain Huang stared directly into Xu Xiangyun’s eyes.

“We found a hidden freezer in the kitchen. Another female corpse was discovered inside. You’ll also need to come back with us for questioning.”

“Ah—How is that possible?!”

Two hours later, the three returned to the forensic center with the body.

Zhou Hai looked unusually serious. When he pushed open the doors to the center, he didn’t even notice Director Pang and a handsome unfamiliar man walking toward him from the opposite side.

Xu Biao followed closely behind and loudly called out:

“Hello, Director Pang! Just now Forensic Doctor Zhou was saying he wanted to find you to reimburse his gas money!”

Only then did Zhou Hai belatedly notice Director Pang. He gave a slight nod toward him and the man beside him.

Xiao Liang didn’t dare act as aloof as Zhou Hai and immediately greeted them properly.

“Hello, Director Pang!”

Today, Director Pang’s hair was meticulously styled, and his tie was tightened so neatly that merely looking at him made people feel two degrees hotter.

Pushing up his metal-framed glasses, he introduced the newcomer in a standard southeastern accent:

“Forensic Doctor Zhou, wait a moment. I was just about to look for you. This is Luo Yunfeng, transferred over from Yushan City. The bureau has decided to assign Forensic Doctor Luo to your Second Unit. After all, your team is a bit understaffed.”

Luo Yunfeng stepped forward toward Zhou Hai.

Zhou Hai raised his gloved hand slightly. It was actually a subtle way of declining contact. His mind was entirely occupied with the female corpse from the freezer—he had no mood for pleasantries.

But Luo Yunfeng didn’t stop.

He stepped forward and gave Zhou Hai a firm hug.

The sudden action stunned both Xu Biao and Xiao Liang. The two instinctively sidestepped toward the west.

A man hugging another man?

And hugging Zhou Hai of all people?!

Good lord… it instantly created a rather uncomfortable visual impact for everyone nearby.

Zhou Hai’s face darkened immediately. Just as he raised a hand to push him away, Luo Yunfeng had already released him.

“Hello, Forensic Doctor Zhou. I’ve long admired your reputation.”

Zhou Hai gave a slight nod.

“Hello.”

“Although this may be a little abrupt, I’m extremely excited to work in the same unit as you.”

“Alright. Now that I’ve delivered him, my task is complete. Work hard under Forensic Doctor Zhou. Your Second Unit’s recent work has been exceptionally impressive. Keep it up!”

After speaking, Director Pang hurried upstairs, his movements carrying a trace of urgency.

Zhou Hai seemed to understand why Director Pang had fled so quickly, but having a new team member was still a good thing.

“Since you’re here, you can participate in the autopsy of the second body from the 7.28 task force case.”

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhou Hai raised both gloved hands and headed toward the autopsy room.

Xiao Liang smiled and nodded at Luo Yunfeng before quickly following after him.

“Come on, brother. Welcome to Second Unit! I’m trace examiner Xu Biao. They call me Da Xu or Xu Biao.”

“My name’s Luo Yunfeng. You can call me Yunfeng or Fengzi.”

Xu Biao’s mouth twitched.

“Fengzi? ‘Crazy Guy’? That’s quite a nickname! But I like it. Let’s hurry and catch up with Forensic Doctor Zhou.”

The two quickly followed behind.

At that moment, the second corpse discovered in the 7.28 case had already been delivered to Autopsy Room No. 1.

“Forensic Doctor Luo, would you like to assist me directly today, or observe Xiao Liang and me first?”

Luo Yunfeng’s eyes lit up.

“I’d rather assist you directly!”

Zhou Hai said nothing.

The four bowed toward the corpse wrapped in silver waterproof cloth. Since Xu Biao had already photographed the ropes and exterior packaging, Zhou Hai instructed Xiao Liang to cut the ropes.

Layer by layer, the waterproof wrapping around the body was removed.

Because of the high temperature, the naked female corpse soon appeared before them.

Surprisingly, the body was completely unclothed, unlike Xu Zekai, who had been fully dressed.

After examining the body surface once, Zhou Hai’s brows furrowed tighter and tighter.

The victim’s body was covered in ligature marks and scratches, with striped and patchy subcutaneous hemorrhaging everywhere.

Even stranger were the lividity patterns on the corpse.

Only the buttocks, feet, and elbows showed dark purple discoloration, while the skin on the rest of the body remained pale. Meanwhile, the abdomen carried a faint greenish tint.

Decomposition?

A corpse wrapped this carefully had still begun slight decomposition?

Zhou Hai frowned slightly.

It seemed this corpse had been stored at room temperature for some time before freezing, otherwise decomposition-related green patches wouldn’t have appeared.

Luo Yunfeng appeared strangely excited as he pointed at the ligature marks on the victim’s wrists and neck.

“Ligature marks? Could this have been cosplay? Or maybe some BDSM play that went too far?”

“Don’t jump to conclusions. Every judgment and deduction must remain objective. We haven’t even performed the autopsy yet—how can you already determine the cause of death? We are forensic pathologists. Not fortune tellers. You absolutely cannot conduct an autopsy based on subjective assumptions. Everything must be based on facts. Alright, focus and begin the examination.”

It was rare for Zhou Hai to lose his temper.

Though he spoke little, he was usually a calm and gentle person. His outburst didn’t mean he disliked Luo Yunfeng. It was because subjective assumptions in forensic work could kill people—many mistakes happened precisely this way.

“Xu Biao, take photos. Xiao Liang, record.”

Bending over, Zhou Hai pointed one by one at the external injuries on the corpse as he spoke.

“There are numerous restraint injuries on the wrists and ankles. Multiple areas show skin peeling and subcutaneous hemorrhaging, with obvious signs of struggling. There are striped bruises on the chest, abdomen, neck, and limbs. No foreign objects are embedded in the wounds. Some bruises display hollow bamboo-like patterns. The bruises vary in size and thickness, indicating they were caused by a mixture of blunt weapons such as clubs, rattan canes, and whips. The victim’s entire body is covered in scratch marks. Her face is swollen, and the conjunctiva is congested—she had been slapped repeatedly. There are also punctate hemorrhages on the tips of the breasts and the genital area. These were likely caused by needle-like instruments. Additionally, there are needle marks along the veins on the inner arms. Something appears to have been injected here, as the puncture wounds are still fresh and haven’t scabbed over. The variety of tools and injury patterns suggests the killer acted with planning and intent. This was not a crime of passion.”

Xu Biao understood that Zhou Hai was both explaining things to him and rebutting Fengzi’s earlier assumption, so he listened carefully.

Xiao Liang rapidly recorded every injury Zhou Hai pointed out on the autopsy report.

Zhou Hai raised his own hand and compared it against the handprint marks on the victim’s arm.

“The killer’s hands were extremely large—similar to those of someone suffering from acromegaly. Xiao Liang, note down this characteristic.”

Xu Biao let out an “Oh” and leaned closer to examine the palm print beneath Zhou Hai’s hand.

“That’s true. But Xu Zekai’s hands were also unusually large!”

Zhou Hai recalled Xu Zekai’s facial features. His face hadn’t appeared elongated, and his nose was within normal proportions. Perhaps it was simply a hereditary trait.

Luo Yunfeng examined the victim’s fingernails.

“There seems to be skin tissue under the nails. Look! This manicure design is pretty unique!”