Medical Examiner Dr. Qin Episode 3 Recap
> Medical Examiner Dr. Qin Recap
The investigation into a new case began when a headless male body was discovered by people swimming in a remote lake. This isolated location was likely chosen by the killer to dispose of the body. Da Bao expressed her aversion to swimming outside, citing widespread river pollution and jokingly remarking that with so much pollution, one wouldn't need to worry about pregnancy. Lin Tao, who had recently purchased a swimming pool membership, questioned if swimming pools were a safer alternative.
Qin Ming interjected, explaining that while regulated pools are generally safe, one would still consume an average of 16 milliliters of urine during a 45-minute swim. When Lin Tao suggested the taste was merely disinfectant, Qin Ming clarified that clean water is odorless; any smell comes from the reaction between nitrogenous compounds in urine and chlorine, indicating unclean water. Initial examination of the body revealed a missing finger, which Qin Ming determined was not a fresh wound.
Based on the shedding of skin and muscles, Qin Ming estimated the time of death to be about one month prior. The victim's abdomen had been stitched, prompting Da Bao to speculatively wonder if the head might have been sewn inside. Qin Ming quickly dismissed the gruesome thought, explaining that the head was likely severed to prevent identification and therefore would not be found in the lake.
In the autopsy room, Qin Ming carefully cut open the abdomen, revealing it was filled with limestone. Da Bao correctly deduced that the stones were meant to sink the body. Qin Ming noted that all internal organs were missing, making the direct determination of the cause of death extremely difficult. The body bore numerous injuries, including two stab wounds, a previously broken leg, and recurring healed injuries.
Most notably, a severe shoulder dislocation suggested the victim had forcefully resisted while being restrained by police. Da Bao questioned why it had to be police, but Qin Ming explained that a specific technique used by officers to pin suspects to the ground while handcuffed can cause a unique and severe shoulder injury, matching the victim's. Unfortunately, attempts to retrieve fingerprints were futile, as aquatic life typically consumes the skin on fingers first.
Observing the neck, Da Bao concluded that the head was severed post-mortem, a point Qin Ming agreed with, noting the irregular edges of the cut indicated a loss of vitality and blood flow before the decapitation. Da Bao, drawing a parallel to American crime dramas, suggested this method was reminiscent of the Italian Mafia's revenge tactics. Lin Tao arrived at the lab, expressing frustration that there were no recent missing person reports, making headless body cases particularly challenging.
Qin Ming suggested they use the limestone as a starting point, investigating nearby construction sites since it's a common building material. He then dispatched Da Bao to accompany Lin Tao, stating he needed quiet, much to Da Bao's annoyance.
At a construction site near the lake, Lin Tao and Da Bao initially found no one missing but later identified Guo Liqiang, the site boss, who had been missing for about two weeks and was also noted to have a missing finger. Da Bao located similar limestone at the site, which she reported to Qin Ming via phone. The workers described Guo Liqiang as a strong man with a volatile temper, prone to violence.
He had a son and had been divorced for over a year. Inside Guo Liqiang's office, investigators found no fingerprints, indicating a thorough cleaning, which suggested it might be the crime scene. Lin Tao noted an empty safe, leading him to consider murder for money. However, Da Bao countered that the removal of internal organs pointed more towards a revenge killing. Qin Ming instructed them to start their investigation with the victim's ex-wife.
The ex-wife, whom they located, revealed she hadn't seen Guo Liqiang in about half a year. She expressed little sympathy for his fate, stating he "had it coming" and that his mother, who had been hospitalized for an ongoing illness, was the one she truly pitied. As they spoke, Guo Liqiang's son arrived, carrying a toy gun given by his uncle, Guo Lifu, and was initially frightened by the police. Da Bao quickly put him at ease.
On the drive back, Lin Tao and Da Bao bantered playfully, while Qin Ming remained contemplative. Da Bao later went to the hospital where Guo Liqiang's mother was admitted. Meanwhile, Qin Ming and Lin Tao attended a charity event. During the ceremony, Guo Lifu, chairman of Fu Qiang Enterprise, was honored. He quoted Laozi, saying, "The highest good is like water which benefits all being and does not compete with them."
From the audience, Qin Ming remarked that he preferred another of Laozi's sayings: "The heaven's net has wide meshes, but nothing escapes it." Later, when Qin Ming and Lin Tao spoke with Guo Lifu, he expressed regret for not having taken better care of his younger brother, Guo Liqiang, and claimed not to know of any fatal enemies his brother might have had.
Qin Ming inquired about Guo Lifu's limping leg, to which Guo Lifu replied it had been an issue for seven or eight years and was incurable. At the hospital, Da Bao, presenting herself as a friend, visited Guo Liqiang's mother with flowers. The mother initially mistook Da Bao for Guo Lifu's friend and was surprised to learn she knew Guo Liqiang, referring to him as a "bad boy."
The mother confirmed she hadn't seen Guo Liqiang in about half a year. Da Bao then spoke with a nurse, who explained the elderly woman suffered from cerebral thrombosis, had recently undergone surgery, and had been struggling with the condition for years. The nurse mentioned that her wealthy son, Guo Lifu, was very filial, visiting daily and even bringing homemade soup.
In contrast, her other son, Guo Liqiang, was described as a strong man with a terrible temper who would argue with his mother and verbally abuse the nurses during his visits. Back at the station, Da Bao informed Lin Tao that Guo Liqiang "definitely offended many people," suggesting revenge as the motive. Qin Ming, however, pointed out that even with Guo Liqiang dead, his construction project had partners and funding, so the site's closure must have another reason.
The trio visited the construction site in the rain, where a message was spray-painted on a wall: "A life for a life. Die without offspring." (The character for "offspring" was misspelled). Qin Ming remained in the car, as Lin Tao explained he had an "allergy to rainy weather," which Da Bao mockingly called "troublesome." Inside the car, Qin Ming appeared tense, experiencing a brief flashback of a small boy calling out "Dad!"
At the site, workers explained that the construction had halted due to a safety accident, necessitating an inspection. The graffiti on the wall was linked to a worker named Zhao Yuan, whose scaffold had collapsed a month prior, landing him in the hospital. Zhao Yuan's wife had repeatedly caused disturbances, writing the words on the wall, and the workers, all from Zhao Yuan's hometown, refused to resume work until proper compensation was paid.
The graffiti had been there for one to two weeks, and Zhao Yuan's wife had only stopped her protests when Guo Liqiang stopped showing up. Da Bao noted the timing seemed "too coincidental" and decided to further investigate the mystery of Guo Liqiang's missing finger. Qin Ming and Lin Tao then visited Zhao Yuan's former home, finding it empty.
Noticing red paint and overdue utility bills, Qin Ming deduced the family had left about a month ago, doing so discreetly without informing anyone. Back at the bureau, police discovered Zhao Yuan's wife had recently obtained a temporary residence permit in the suburbs. Meanwhile, Da Bao tracked down Guo Liqiang's former bodyguard, who claimed no knowledge of the missing finger, directing her to "A'Lai," Guo Liqiang's long-time follower.
Qin Ming and Lin Tao proceeded to interview Zhao Yuan's wife in the suburbs. Lin Tao inquired about their sudden move. Zhao Yuan's wife explained that after her husband was injured, Guo Liqiang refused to provide compensation. She approached Guo Lifu, who paid for Zhao Yuan's treatment. However, it was too late, and Zhao Yuan ultimately passed away. Guo Lifu then provided additional money for her and her daughter, who was about to start junior high school.
Qin Ming, observing a wall adorned with awards, decided to conclude the interview, noting that the child would soon be returning home. Da Bao found A'Lai at a car repair shop. A'Lai confirmed he had been Guo Liqiang's follower for seven or eight years. When asked why he left, A'Lai removed his shirt, revealing multiple scars, stating he would have been killed if he had stayed with Guo Liqiang. Da Bao noticed A'Lai's missing little finger.
A'Lai explained he had chopped it off himself to quit gambling. He then revealed that Guo Liqiang's missing little finger was also self-inflicted for the same reason—they had both collectively cut off their fingers to try and quit gambling. When asked about Guo Liqiang's enemies, A'Lai listed many, but pointed to one person who could truly be responsible for his death: Hei Ba, to whom Guo Liqiang owed a large sum of money.
Before leaving, Da Bao, demonstrating her keen observation skills, advised A'Lai that his frequent dizziness and numb left hand indicated a spinal nerve problem, suggesting his current job was unsuitable and he should seek medical attention. In the car, Qin Ming explained to Lin Tao that Zhao Yuan's wife could not be the killer. Her severe rheumatism would make it impossible for her to single-handedly commit murder, dismemberment, and body disposal.
Furthermore, having received financial compensation from Guo Lifu, she no longer had a motive. Qin Ming decided to return to the bureau, stating that "night is more conducive to thinking." Lin Tao teased him, suggesting it was "because Da Bao wasn't there." Back in the office, Qin Ming found Da Bao still diligently analyzing the case. He lightheartedly chided her for keeping so many lights on if she was alone, citing electricity waste.
Da Bao shared her findings regarding Guo Liqiang's missing finger, confirming it was unrelated to his death and was a result of his attempt to quit gambling. She emphasized the need to investigate Hei Ba, the major creditor, to definitively rule out a financial dispute. Qin Ming then had a crucial realization. He went to the autopsy table and pondered the elaborate method of sinking the body.
While simply tying a heavy object would suffice, the killer went to the trouble of opening the abdomen, removing all organs, filling it with stones, and then stitching it back up. This seemed like a redundant and arduous process unless, Qin Ming reasoned, the missing organs themselves were of value to the killer. Da Bao's eyes widened as she exclaimed, "Organ transplant?"
Qin Ming confirmed her deduction, revealing that forensic tests showed traces of etomidate and fentanyl in the victim's body, indicating that Guo Liqiang had been anesthetized before his death. The next morning, with the new lead, Lin Tao and his team of police officers were already en route to raid Hei Ba's illegal gambling den.
