Forensic details

At work, he will race to a crime scene where he examines every minute, grisly detail of some poor soul's mortal remains. It doesn't matter whether the cadaver is dismembered or decaying and being devoured by maggots, his aim is the same－to find the clues that will help bring the perpetrator of the killing to justice.

After hours, he writes vivid stories, based on real-life criminal cases he has investigated as a forensic scientist, in the hope of fostering a greater public understanding and respect for the profession.

As an unexpected reward, he has become one of the country's best-selling authors of crime thrillers.

Qin Ming, 41, has by now published 13 novels that delve into the details of investigating all types of crimes, including murder, rape, fraud and fatal accidents, as well as two nonfiction books that explain the various aspects of forensic science. Some of his works have been adapted into drama series and films, winning him even wider popularity.

Recently, he appeared in a reality show aired on Chinese streaming site Mango TV, which followed several young interns vying for a position as a forensic specialist, thrusting the daily lives of forensic experts into the limelight. There, he gave professional instruction to the interns about how to retrieve evidence at a crime scene and identify reliable information in order to establish a cause of death, identify the deceased or determine a murder weapon.

He also shared his own experiences in the hope of inspiring the next generation of forensic scientists.

The son of a policeman and a doctor, Qin's parents placed great hopes on him. They both wanted Qin to follow in their footsteps.

Unable to decide, Qin worked out a good compromise－becoming a forensic examiner who is equipped with medical knowledge, but also works in the public security system.

He joined the forensics team of Anhui province's public security bureau in 2005 after earning degrees in forensic medicine at Wannan Medical College in 2003, and the China Criminal Police University in 2005.

In social situations, he often encountered misunderstanding, sometimes even a change in the behavior of people, when he revealed his occupation.

"Some would refuse to dine with me at the same table, or even shake my hand. At the time, I took it personally," he recalls.

To promote better understanding of forensic work and the dedicated professionals who do the job, he decided to write a novel based on their daily lives.

In 2012, Qin, as an active internet user, began posting his novel on blogging sites, which marked the beginning of his now soaring career as a part-time writer of crime thrillers.

Today, he continues to write posts and share videos that promote knowledge of forensic science on various social media platforms.

He has attracted nearly 6 million followers on Sina Weibo, and his channel on the video-sharing platform Bilibili, which enjoys great popularity among younger online users, has notched up around 570,000 subscribers.

He is asked some bizarre questions, such as, can a dead woman give birth to a baby? Is it possible for a man to commit suicide by biting off his own tongue? Why do those freezing to death often rip off their clothes? Or whether hickeys are dangerous. These are all answered in a clear and humorous way in his videos.

When asked why he insists on spreading knowledge of forensics among the public, he says he hopes that the information will help people to apply a level of critical thinking to discussions about influential, newsworthy cases, preventing them from being misled by rumor or gossip.

The films and drama series that were adapted from Qin's novels have brought viewers closer to the jobs of forensic workers and helped him to reach a larger audience.

As an aspiring writer enjoying a growing profile, he has sought to create more absorbing and thought-provoking stories that cause readers to reflect on life, death and the depth of human depravity, as well as address public concerns about certain social topics.

He has planned a series of books that touch upon topics including social responsibility, women's rights, domestic violence and adolescent mental health.

For instance, the novel, Doll, released last year, unfolds 10 criminal cases revolving around violence in intimate relationships, exploring the mentality of both the victims and their abusers.

"The novel looks at school bullying, romance scams, psychological manipulation by an intimate partner, alongside other social problems, which shows the author's care for vulnerable groups," comments a user of the review site Douban.

The reader adds that the book illustrates how forensic experts work under strict guidelines to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, noting that Qin's novels often reflect the times.

Readers of Qin's books will also learn about advances in the technology and techniques used in criminal investigations, and about the falling homicide rate in the country over the past 15 years or so.

Although Qin's forensic duties demand a considerable investment of time and effort, the part-time writer has been prolific and plans to remain so.

"My job as a forensic expert provides me with an endless supply of raw material for my novels. I have got many ideas for my future books," he says.

He will take notes during criminal investigations, some of which he uses as inspiration for his writing, while other forensic practitioners also share with him the details of unusual cases they have been involved with.

Qin adds that, sometimes, it's usual for him to reach the point of burnout, as he has to deal with a heavy workload on a daily basis. In these instances, writing helps him to declutter his mind and reflect on his forensic work, from which he can distill greater professional pride and motivate himself.

His latest novel, which focuses on crimes investigated by the police during the 1970s through to the early '90s, is scheduled for release this summer.

It will be the first of a trilogy inspired by the handwritten work summary of his father, a veteran policeman.

"My father wrote down more than 90,000 Chinese characters to sum up his career after his retirement. I read through it with mixed emotions," he recalls.

"Sometimes I was even moved to tears by the spirit of the police officers of his generation. I decided to write their stories."

He interviewed many of his father's colleagues to accumulate material for the trilogy.

For him, the life stories of police from different areas of law enforcement, such as the detention officers who rarely receive public acknowledgment, are worth telling. Future books will also delve into the history of forensic practices in China, he adds.