63: Chapter 62 – Since We’re Here Already 63: Chapter 62 – Since We’re Here Already “Minor injury, second degree.”
The conclusion given by Wu Jun matched exactly with what Jiang Yuan had guessed.
This was a very direct judgment.
It didn’t matter where the hairline used to be, because now, you couldn’t find it anymore.
Since it was gone, you could only base it on the standard three levels—shaving the head was useless; the hairline still existed.
“Come back for the report later.
It won’t be ready today.” Wu Jun pointed outside the window and said, “Come directly here tomorrow and just call the number on the wall.”
“Okay,” the patient responded.
The patient’s mother still seemed somewhat unconvinced and asked, “A minor injury first degree is more severe than a minor injury second degree, right?
Can it be assessed as a minor injury first degree?”
“Can’t be done.” Wu Jun pointed to the injury and said, “It just meets the standard for a minor injury, second degree.
If you think it’s not appropriate, go to the city and get another assessment.”
“His head was cracked open; you didn’t see it at the time—blood was everywhere.” The patient’s mother said while pulling out her phone, thinking of showing Wu Jun the video and photos.
In the standards for injury assessment, we mainly look at the area and degree of the injury; the amount of blood isn’t considered.
Additionally, in court, the difference between minor injury first and second degrees isn’t that big; it still depends on the circumstances.
These videos and photos would be more useful if shown to the police officers handling the case, or to the prosecutors, rather than us,” Wu Jun said persuasively as he ushered the people out.
After the people had left, Wu Jun let out a sigh of relief, turned to Jiang Yuan who had been silent and said, “You see, I could be a bit tougher in attitude, but the tone still has to be gentle.
When it comes to injury assessment, it’s a big deal for ordinary families, many of whom are anxious and agitated.”
Jiang Yuan responded understandingly, “Those who come for injury assessments are involved in ongoing cases, many of which are probably full of rage looking for an outlet.”
“Exactly, that’s the thing,” Wu Jun slapped his thigh and said, “As forensic doctors, we can afford to be tough during autopsies, but when it comes to injury assessments, we have to have an understanding of human sentiments.”
Jiang Yuan laughed upon hearing this and said, “So, the doctor-patient relationship in forensics isn’t simple either.”
“Those who purely do pathology have it simpler, but in our small county, we don’t have the conditions for that,” Wu Jun said, knocking on the table twice, “Moreover, the people we meet doing injury assessments are far more complicated than the patients doctors meet.
You see, a patient might threaten to hit a doctor, but those we assess for injuries have just been in fights.”
“Or they might have been the ones beaten,” Jiang Yuan remarked.
“At least they become braver and, with some knowledge in Forensic Clinical Medicine, they know where to hit you.”
Jiang Yuan was speechless at first but then thought it over and realized that Wu Jun was right.
Wu Jun sat down in front of the computer to fill out some forms while also calling Jiang Yuan over to watch.
Nowadays, injury assessment reports are printed out from computers and then stamped.
In a few empty fields, Wu Jun entered the patient’s name, age, ID number, and other information.
Finally, in the box for assessment opinion, he wrote, “Based on the above, the injury of the assessed person Li Bingshou is classified as a minor injury of second degree.”
As the printer buzzed to life, the first half of the injury assessment process was considered complete.
Having finished his contemplation, Jiang Yuan asked, “So, where should one hit?”
“What?” Wu Jun, being older, couldn’t keep up with Jiang Yuan’s train of thought.
“So, during a fight, where should one hit to have the upper hand in an injury assessment?” Jiang Yuan summarized the question.
Without much thought, Wu Jun said, “The fleshy areas, of course—like the belly, the butt, that sort of place.”
“Isn’t that just like fighting with a child?” Jiang Yuan shook his head.
“Normal people wouldn’t fight like that.”
“Well… if you want to differentiate from children,” Wu Jun pondered seriously for a moment and then said, “Then you find a way to control the other person’s body.
You could use one arm to trap the other person between your thigh and your elbow, and then hit their butt.”
“That’s still a child’s move… oh…” Jiang Yuan suddenly realized what Wu Jun meant and couldn’t help but give him a thumbs-up.
A police officer led someone in and greeted, “Doctor Wu, someone is here for an injury assessment.”
“Oh.” Wu Jun, who was about to leave, had to sit back down and let the person enter.
“Said it was a traffic accident, you guys check it out, I’m heading back.” The police officer waved his hand and turned to leave.
A man in his fifties or sixties entered, looked left and right, then bracing himself on the table, said, “I got hit by someone, and they won’t pay up, is that why I come to you?”
“We only do injury assessments, which is to determine the extent of your injuries.
Please fill out your information first.” Wu Jun gave a brief explanation.
The man grumbled as he filled out the forms, groaning and moaning, “I got hit by a car, I’m so dizzy, and my head hurts, I can’t even sleep at night because of the pain.”
Which part, let me see.” Wu Jun waited for him to finish the paperwork and put on his gloves before standing up.
Just here.” The man used his finger to point at a spot on his forehead.
“Alright, sit still.” Wu Jun held his head, turned it left and right to inspect it, and then pressed down, saying, “There’s no external injury, no swelling…”
The man stood up with a “huff” and said, “How can there be no injury when a big car hit me directly?
How can I not be hurt?
It hurts so much at night that I can’t sleep.”
“We forensic doctors do injury assessments based on objective injuries, like external injuries for instance.
You’re saying you have a headache, or dizziness, that’s all subjective feelings, which can’t be used to assess injuries.” Wu Jun explained politely.
The man frowned and said, “So it doesn’t count unless there’s a cut, right?”
“Something like that,” Wu Jun replied, seeing that the man was getting a bit agitated, so he stood up and said, “Let me check your eardrum to see if there’s any issue.”
“Alright.” The man quickly sat up straight.
Wu Jun took an auriscope and bent down to examine the man’s ear canal.
“The eardrum is intact, not injured,” Wu Jun stated truthfully.
The man stared at Wu Jun, furrowed his brow, huffed, and walked out the door.
Seeing this, Wu Jun was a bit worried, pulled Jiang Yuan along, and followed behind at a distance.
They had only walked a few dozen steps, still within the range of the outbuilding, when they saw the man take a few quick steps, then hurl himself at the wall with a “thump.”
With a loud bang, the man braced himself against the wall, then deliberately hit his forehead against it three more times; blood gushed from his forehead.
After those blows, which made the man’s head reel, Jiang Yuan and Wu Jun were also left dizzy and gobsmacked, unable to react in time.
“Want external injuries?
External injuries are easy to get!” the man muttered to himself, staggering toward the direction of the injury assessment room.
He trudged along with his head lowered, covering his forehead with one hand, his steps unsteady, his emotions running high.
Walking past Jiang Yuan and Wu Jun, who were rooted to the spot, he even reached out and tousled one of them.
“That…” Wu Jun grabbed his hand but didn’t know what to say.
As the two men locked eyes, Wu Jun’s gaze was full of astonishment, while the other man’s expression kept changing.
Everyone was a bit embarrassed.
“Alright, I’m heading back,” said the man who had just busted his forehead but ultimately shouldered it all.
Just returned from Changyang City and suspecting his mind was at its peak, Jiang Yuan suddenly grabbed the man’s other hand, eagerly saying, “Since you’re here, let’s do a tox screen before you go back.”