Is there really a forensic expert named Qin Ming? Is the field of forensic science intimidating? What does modern forensic study entail? How does a forensic pathologist’s work look like?
Recently, Qin Ming, the real-life inspiration behind the “Forensic Qin Ming” television series and a senior forensic pathologist with the Anhui Provincial Public Security Department, visited Fudan University’s Shanghai Medical School, where he became an idol among the students. “I’m not here to discuss academia; I want everyone to understand and respect the field of forensic science. Our work is truly valuable,” Qin said.
According to our report, in 2022, forensic science was officially recognized as a primary discipline, encompassing areas like forensic pathology, forensic evidence, forensic clinical science, forensic toxicology, and forensic psychiatry. “There are about 30,000 forensic professionals in the country, including police and social organizations. It’s a niche field, but incredibly important,” said Li Chengtao, the director of Fudan University’s Institute of Forensic Science. He noted a clear trend of interdisciplinary integration within the field, with many students coming from various backgrounds including law, evidence studies, and computational biology.
“I felt misunderstood,” Qin admitted, reflecting on his early career. “Back in 1998 when I started studying forensic science, I often encountered misconceptions. Some people wouldn’t shake my hand or sit with me during meals. At family gatherings, my relatives would ask, ‘So, will you be working in a funeral home after graduation?'”
For today’s forensic students, these minor misunderstandings are hardly a concern. “It was after reading Qin Ming’s books that I decided to pursue forensic science. It was my top choice in college applications,” said Chen Ji, a first-year PhD student in forensic science at Fudan. “Becoming a forensic expert after graduation feels like an honor. I especially enjoy research in forensic evidence and I aspire to quickly extract and analyze DNA evidence to help combat crime.”
However, for those in Qin’s time, the misunderstandings were more pronounced. He shared that real cases he encountered ultimately motivated him to write about forensic stories. Remembering a high-profile case where he arrived at a crime scene filled with blood, Qin used his expertise to identify the suspect’s blood among others. This blood sample was later confirmed through DNA testing as belonging to the suspect—not the victim.
In the resolution of such cases, Qin pointed out, the recognition often goes to the investigator who apprehended the suspect first, with the forensic technician who performed the DNA test receiving second place credit, and often, the forensic pathologist is acknowledged last. “I wanted to share the stories of forensic professionals like myself; we don’t often receive accolades, but I want ordinary people to understand the important and valuable work we do.”
In recent years, as the role of forensic professionals has gained more attention, such misunderstandings have decreased. Yet, Qin noted that new forensic students still face some challenges, such as experiencing discrimination while dating or pressure from family members to wash their hands multiple times after returning home from autopsy work.
What exactly do aspiring forensic professionals study? This was Qin Ming’s first time invited to teach at a C9 university, with the invitation coming from Fudan’s Institute of Forensic Science. This newly established research institution seeks to integrate forensic science with various disciplines, exploring new paradigms of collaboration between medical science and legal documentation.
“We’re training versatile professionals by combining forensic science with law, computer science, clinical medicine, basic medical science, biology, and other related fields,” Li Chengtao explained. Qin’s lecture kicked off the institute’s “Exploring Forensic Science” series.
He elaborated that the curriculum now encompasses far more than it did in the past. For instance, forensic professionals today need to create comprehensive crime scene reconstructions using computer tools, edit photos and videos, and produce animations. Moreover, they must report findings in a clear manner for judges and prosecutors and understand how to leverage artificial intelligence to tackle forensic challenges.
The Fudan Institute of Forensic Science has eight teams focusing on various aspects, such as crime scene reconstruction, death identification, identity verification, chemical analysis, and cognitive recognition. “Currently, we are concentrating our efforts on death identification—examining how, why, and when a person died. This requires collaboration across multiple disciplines,” Li stated.
PhD student Qu Yiling from the joint program between Fudan and Sichuan University shared that one of her most challenging courses was “Biostatistics,” which demands strong mathematical skills, an area where she and many aspiring forensic students struggle since they prefer working with people and human anatomy.
“The students in this field are driven by their passion for forensic science,” Qu said. “We have internships at police departments and forensic institutes, where we engage in evidence collection and autopsy work.”
“Studying forensics isn’t about fear,” Qu added. “If we were afraid, we wouldn’t choose this path, and there’s nothing in the curriculum that should frighten us.”
Is forensic work simply about performing autopsies? This topic was humorously highlighted in the film “Qin Ming: The Death Whisperer” when the character played by actor Yan Yikun remarked, “I think being a forensic pathologist is great because at least the doctor-patient relationship is quite stable.”
Qin clarified that this reflects a common misunderstanding. Many believe that forensic work solely involves autopsies, overlooking the critical task of injury assessment. For example, forensic clinical science involves assessing the extent of injuries, while forensic evidence science focuses on DNA analysis, including paternity tests. Additionally, judicial psychiatric evaluations determine the mental states of individuals involved in cases.
When examining high-profile cases, forensic professionals face immense pressure from victims’ families and public scrutiny. Qin recounted facing backlash online after a particularly sensitive case, where a teenager died following a confrontation, leading to a public outcry about the conclusions drawn from forensic assessments.
In another notorious case, a victim’s body was found in pieces after falling into a mine. The forensic conclusion ruled it a suicide, causing public uproar, with many questioning how someone could dismember themselves after death. “The reality was that the mine was quite high, and the victim encountered obstacles during the fall,” Qin explained. “Such misunderstandings can create a whirlwind of attention and pressure, requiring us to rely on scientific evidence to communicate the facts.”
This motivates Qin to write and collaborate on media projects about forensic science. “Whether the films or shows succeed or fail, they keep a large audience engaged, which is crucial for changing societal perceptions of forensic professionals.”
