狱事莫重于大辟，大辟莫重于初情，初情莫重于检验。盖死生出入之权舆，幽枉屈伸之
机括，于是乎决。法中所以通着今佐理据者，谨之至也。年来州县，悉以委之初官，付之右
选，更历未深，骤然尝试，重以仵作之欺伪，吏胥之奸巧，虚幻变化，茫不可诘。纵有敏者
，一心两目亦无所用其智，而况遥望而弗亲，掩鼻而不屑者哉。慈四叨臬寄，他无寸长，独
于狱案，审之又审，不敢萌一毫慢易心；若灼然知其为欺，则亟与驳下，或疑信未决，必反下
覆深思，惟恐率然而行，死者虚被涝漉。每念狱情之失，多起于发端之着；定验之误，皆原
于历试之涉。遂博采近世所传诸书，自《内恕录》以下凡数家，会而粹之，厘而正之，增以
己见，总为一编，名曰《洗冤集录》，刊于湖南宪治；示我同寅，使得参验互考。如医师讨
论古法，脉络表里先已洞澈，一旦按此以施针砭，发无不中，则其洗冤泽物，当与起死回生
同一功用矣。
淳 丁未嘉平节前十日，朝散大夫，新除直秘阁、湖南提刑充大使行府参议官宋慈
\x贤士大夫或有得于见闻及亲所历涉出于此集之外者，切望片纸录赐，以广未备。慈拜禀
诸尸应验而不验；(初覆同)或受差过两时不发；(遇夜不计，下条准此)或不亲临视；或
不定要害致死之因；或定而不当，(谓以非理死为病死，因头伤为胁伤之类)各以违制论。即
凭验状致罪已出入者，不在自首觉举之例。其事状难明，定而失当者，杖一百。吏人、行人
一等科罪。
诸被差验覆，非系经隔日久，而辄称尸坏不验者，坐以应验不验之罪。(淳 详定)
诸验尸，报到过两时不请官者；请官违法，或受请违法而不言；或牒至应受而不受；或
初覆检官吏、行人相见及漏露所验事状者，各杖一百。(若验讫，不当日内申所属者，准此)
诸县，承他处官司请官验尸，有官可那而称阙，若阙官而不具事因申牒，或探伺牒至而
托故在假避免者，各以违制论。
诸行人因验尸受财，根据公人法。
诸检覆之类应差官者，差无亲嫌干碍之人。
诸命官所任处有任满赏者，不得差出，应副检验尸者听差。
诸验尸，州差司理参军，(本院囚别差官，或止有司理一院，准此)县差尉。县尉阙，即
以次差簿、丞。(县丞不得出本县界)监当官皆阙者，县令前去。若过十里，或验本县囚，牒
最近县。其郭下县皆申州。应覆验者，并于差初验（官）日先次申牒差官，应牒最近县，而百里内
无县者，听就近牒巡检或都巡检。(内覆检应止牒本县官，而独员者准此，[并]谓非见出巡捕者。)
诸监当官出城验尸者，县差手力五人当直。
诸死人未死前，无缌麻以上亲在死所，(若禁囚责出十日内及部送者同)并差官验尸。(
人力、女使经取口词者，差公人)囚及非理致死者，仍覆验，验覆讫，即为收瘗。(仍差人监
视，亲戚收瘗者付之)若知有亲戚在他所者，仍报知。
诸尸应覆验者，在州申州；在县，于受牒时，牒尸所最近县。(状牒内各不得具致死之
因)相去百里以上而远于本县者，止牒本县官。(独员即牒他县)
诸请官验尸者，不得越黄河江湖，(江河谓无桥梁，湖谓水涨不可渡者)及牒独员县。(
郭下县听牒，牒至即申州，差官前去)
诸验尸，应牒近县，而牒远县者，牒至亦受，验毕，申所属。
诸尸应牒邻近县验覆，而合请官在别县，若百里外，或在病假，(不妨本职非)无官可那
者，受牒县当日具事因，(在假者，具日时)保明申本州及提点刑狱司，并报元牒官司，仍牒
以次县。
诸初、覆检尸格目，提点刑狱司根据式印造。每副初、覆各三纸，以千字文为号，凿
定给下州县。遇检验，即以三纸先从州县填讫，付被差官。候检验讫，从实填写，一申州县
，一付被害之家，(无即缴回本司)一具日时字号入急递，径申本司点检。(遇有第三次[以]后检
验准此)
诸因病死(谓非在囚禁及部送者)应验尸，而同居缌麻以上亲，或异居大功以上亲至死所
，而愿免者，听。若僧道有法眷，童行有本师，未死前在死所，而寺观主首保明各无他故者
，亦免。其僧道虽无法眷，但有主首或徒众保明者，准此。
诸命官因病亡，(谓非在禁及部送者)若经责口词；或因卒病，而所居处有寺观主首，或
店户及邻居，并地分合干人保明无他故者，官司审察，听免检验。
诸县令、丞、簿虽应差出，须当留一员在县。(非时俱阙，州郡差官权)
诸称违制论者，不以失论。(《刑统·制》曰∶谓奉制有所施行而违者，徒二年。若非故
违而失错旨意者杖一百)。
诸监临主司受财枉法二十匹，无禄者二十五匹，绞。若罪至流，
及不枉法，赃五十匹，配本城。
诸以毒物自服，或与人服，而诬告人，罪不至死者，配千里。若服毒人已死，而知情诬
告人者，并许人捕捉，赏钱五十贯。
诸缌麻以上亲因病死，辄以他故诬人者，根据诬告法，(谓言殴死之类，致官司信凭以经
检验者)不以 论，仍不在引虚减等之例。即缌麻以上亲自相诬告，及人力、女使病死，其
亲辄以他故诬告主家者，准此。(尊长诬告卑幼， 赎减等，自根据本法)
诸（有）诈病及死、伤，受使检验不实者，各根据所欺减一等。若实病死及伤不以实验者，以
故入人罪论。(《刑统·议》曰∶上条诈疾病者，杖一百。检验不实同诈妄，减一等，杖九十)
诸尸虽经验，而系妄指他尸告论，致官司信凭推鞠，根据诬告法。即亲属至死所妄认者，
杖八十。被诬人在禁致死者，加三等。若官司妄勘者，根据入人罪法。
《刑统·疏》∶以他物殴人者，杖六十。(见血为伤，非手足者，其余皆为他物，即兵不
用刃亦是)
《申明刑统》∶以靴鞋踢人伤，从官司验定∶坚硬，即从他物；若不坚硬，即难作他物
例。
诸保辜者，手足（殴伤人）限十日，[以]他物殴伤人者二十日，以刃及汤火[伤人者]三十日。（折目）折跌
肢体及破骨者（三）[五]十日。限内死者，各根据杀人论。诸啮人者，各根据他物法。辜内堕胎者，堕后别
保三十日，仍通本殴伤限，不得过五十日。其在限外，及虽在限内以他故死者，各根据本殴伤
法。(他故谓别增余患而死。假殴人头伤风从头疮而入，因风致死之类，仍根据杀人论。若不
因头疮得风而死，是为他故，各根据本殴伤法)
干道六年，[八月十六日]尚书省（此[批]状州县检验之官，并差文官，如有阙官去处，覆检官方差右选。
本所看详∶检验之官自合根据法差文臣。如边远小县，委的阙文臣处，覆检官权差识字武臣。
今声说照用。
嘉定十六年二月十八日
臣僚奏∶检验不定要害致命之因，法至严矣。而检覆失实，则为觉举，遂以苟免。欲
睿旨下刑部看详，颁示遵用。刑寺长贰详议∶检验不当，觉举自有见行条法；今检验不
实，则乃为觉举，遂以苟免。今看详命官检验不实或失当，不许用觉举原免。余并依旧法施
行。奉圣旨根据。
【原序】
处理案件没有比死刑更重大的了，死刑没有比初次审讯案情更重大的了，初次审讯案情没有比现场检验更重大的了。因为生死的裁决、冤屈的伸雪，都取决于此。法律中规定必须依据现行法规进行检验，这是极其谨慎的态度。近年来，州县官府都将检验工作委托给初任官员，交给资历尚浅者，他们经历不深，突然尝试重任，再加上仵作（协助验尸的人员）的欺诈虚伪，吏员的奸诈狡猾，情况虚幻变化，茫然不可追究。即使有敏锐的人，一心二目也无法施展智慧，更何况是远远观望而不亲自查看，捂着鼻子不屑于参与的人呢？我宋慈四次担任提点刑狱之职，其他方面并无特长，唯独在狱案审理上，反复审慎，不敢有一丝轻慢之心；如果确知其中有欺骗行为，就立即驳回重审；如果有怀疑而未能决断，必定再次下发复查，深思熟虑，唯恐草率行事，使死者无辜遭受折磨。常常想到狱情的失误，大多起因于初始检验的偏差；定案的错误，都源于缺乏实践经验。于是广泛采集近代流传的各种书籍，从《内恕录》以下共数家，汇集精华，整理校正，增加自己的见解，总编为一卷，命名为《洗冤集录》，刊印于湖南宪治衙门；展示给我的同僚，使他们能够相互参考验证。就像医生讨论古法，对经络表里早已透彻理解，一旦按照此法施针用药，发无不中，那么他洗刷冤屈、恩泽万物，应当与起死回生具有同样的功效啊。
淳祐七年（丁未年）腊月前十日，朝散大夫，新授直秘阁、湖南提点刑狱充大使行府参议官宋慈 敬呈
各位贤士大夫如果有见闻或亲身经历在此书之外的内容，恳请片纸记录赐教，以扩充本书未备之处。宋慈拜禀。
【一·条令】
凡是尸体应当检验而未检验的；或者接到差遣超过两个时辰才出发执行的；或者不亲自前往查看的；或者不能确定导致死亡的关键原因的；或者确定的原因不当的（例如将非正常死亡定为病死，将头部外伤定为胁部外伤等），各按违反制令论处。如果凭借错误的检验报告导致罪责出入（定罪轻重或有无的错误），不在自首免除处罚的范围内。如果案情难以查明，定案失当的，杖打一百下。吏员和仵作等人同等科罪。
凡是接到差遣检验复查，并非经过很长时间，却声称尸体腐烂无法检验的，以应验未验的罪名论处。（淳祐年间详细规定）
凡是检验尸体，报到超过两个时辰不申请官员的；申请官员违法，或者接受申请违法却不说明的；或者公文到达应当受理却不受理的；或者初次和复查检验的官吏、仵作相见以及泄露所检验情况的，各杖打一百下。（如果检验完毕，未在当日申报所属部门的，参照此规定）
各县，承接其他地方官府请求官员检验尸体的，有官员可以调派却声称空缺，或者确实缺官却不详细陈述事由申报公文，或者探听到公文到达却借口休假躲避的，各按违反制令论处。
凡是仵作因检验尸体收受财物，根据公人（公务员/执法人员）的法律论处。
凡是检查复查之类应当派遣官员的，派遣无亲属嫌隙、无利益关联的人。
凡是命官在其任职处有任期届满奖励的，不得被差遣外出，但应配合检验尸体的听凭差遣。
凡是检验尸体，州级派遣司理参军（负责司法审判的官员），（本院囚犯另派官员，或者只有司理一院，参照此规定），县级派遣县尉。县尉空缺，就依次派遣主簿、县丞。（县丞不得走出本县界域）。监当官全部空缺时，由县令前往。如果超过十里，或者检验本县囚犯，公文送达最近的县。城郭下的县都申报州级。需要复查的，都在初次检验（官员）日先次申报公文派遣官员，应当公文送达最近县，而百里内没有县的，听凭就近公文送达巡检或都巡检。（其中复查检验应当只公文送达本县官员，而独员的参照此规定，[并]指不是正在外出巡捕的。）
凡是监当官出城检验尸体，县里派遣手力（差役）五人当值侍候。
凡是死人死前，没有缌麻（五服之一，较远的亲属关系）以上的亲人在死所（死亡地点），（如果是禁囚责打后十日内及部送途中死亡的同样适用），都派遣官员检验尸体。（人力、女仆经取口供的，差遣公人）。囚犯及非正常死亡的，仍然复查检验，检验复查完毕后，立即收殓埋葬。（仍派人监视，亲戚收殓的交付给他们）。如果知道有亲戚在别处的，仍然通知他们。
凡是尸体应当复查检验的，在州申报州；在县，在接受公文时，公文送达尸体所在最近的县。（状牒内各自不得写明致死的原因）。相距百里以上且远离本县的，只公文送达本县官员。（独员的即公文送达他县）。
凡是请求官员检验尸体的，不得越过黄河江湖，（江河指没有桥梁，湖指水涨不可渡过的），以及公文送达独员县。（城郭下的县听凭公文送达，公文到达即申报州，派遣官员前去）。
凡是检验尸体，应当公文送达近县，却送达远县的，公文到达也受理，检验完毕，申报所属部门。
凡是尸体应当公文送达邻近县检验复查，而合请官员在别县，如果在百里外，或者在病假，（不妨碍本职非病假），无官员可调派的，受文县当天详细陈述事由，（在假期的，写明日期时间），保明确实无误申报本州及提点刑狱司，并报原发文官府，仍然公文送达依次县。
凡是初次、复查检验的尸格目（检验表格），提点刑狱司根据样式印制。每副初、复查各三张，以千字文编号，凿刻定号发给州县。遇到检验，就以三张先从州县填完，交给被差遣官员。等到检验完毕，如实填写，一份申报州县，一份交给被害人家属，（没有家属的就缴回本司），一份写明日期时间和字号通过急递，直接申报本司点检。（遇到有第三次[以]后检验参照此规定）。
凡是因病死亡（指不是在囚禁及部送途中的），应当检验尸体，而同居缌麻以上亲属，或异居大功以上亲属到死亡地点，而愿意免予检验的，听凭其愿。如果僧道有法眷（弟子/信徒），童行（未剃度的学徒）有本师，死前在死亡地点，而寺观主首保证各无其他缘故的，也免除检验。那些僧道虽然没有法眷，但有主首或徒众保证的，参照此规定。
凡是命官因病死亡，（指不是在禁及部送途中的），如果经过责问口供；或者因猝死疾病，而居住地有寺观主首，或店户及邻居，并地分合干人（相关责任人）保证无其他缘故的，官府审查，听凭免除检验。
凡是县令、县丞、主簿虽然应当被差遣外出，必须留一人在县。（非正常时间全部空缺，州郡差遣官员代理）。
凡是称违反制令论处的，不按过失论处。（《刑统·制》说：奉制有所施行而违背的，徒刑二年。如果不是故意违背而错乱旨意的，杖打一百下）。
凡是监临主司受贿枉法二十匹绢，无俸禄者二十五匹绢，绞刑。如果罪行至流放，以及不枉法，赃物五十匹绢，配发本城。
凡是服用毒物自杀，或给人服用，而诬告他人，罪行不到死刑的，流放千里。如果服毒人已死，而知情诬告他人的，允许人们捕捉，赏钱五十贯。
凡是缌麻以上亲属因病死亡，辄以其他缘故诬告他人的，根据诬告法论处，（指说被打死之类，致使官府信凭以此经过检验的），不按过失论处，也不在引虚减等的范围内。即缌麻以上亲属互相诬告，以及人力、女仆病死，其亲属辄以其他缘故诬告主家的，参照此规定。（尊长诬告卑幼，赎罪减等，自然根据本法）。
凡是（有）诈病及死亡、受伤，接受使命检验不实的，各根据所欺骗的程度减一等论处。如果确实是病死及受伤不以实证检验的，以故意使人入罪论处。（《刑统·疏》说：上条诈疾病的，杖打一百下。检验不实同诈妄，减一等，杖打九十下）。
凡是尸体虽然经验证，却是妄指其他尸体控告，致使官府信凭推究审讯，根据诬告法论处。即亲属到死亡地点妄认的，杖打八十下。被诬陷的人在禁闭中致死的，加三等。如果官府妄加勘验的，根据入人罪法论处。
《刑统·疏》：用其他物体殴打人的，杖打六十下。（见血为伤，非手足者，其余皆为他物，即兵器不用刃也是）。
《申明刑统》：用靴鞋踢人致伤，从官府检验认定：坚硬，即从他物；如果不坚硬，即难作他物例。
凡是保辜（限期让受害人恢复，若期限内死亡则按杀人论，否则按伤人论），手足（殴打伤人）限十日，[以]他物殴打伤人的二十日，以刃及汤火[伤人者]三十日。（折骨）折跌肢体及破骨者（三）[五]十日。限内死亡的，各根据杀人论。凡是咬人的，各根据他物法。辜内堕胎的，堕胎后别保三十日，仍通本殴伤限，不得超过五十日。其在限外，及虽在限内以其他缘故死亡的，各根据本殴伤法。（他故谓另外增加余患而死。假如殴打头部伤口感染风邪从头疮而入，因风致死之类，仍根据杀人论。如果不因头疮得风而死，是为他故，各根据本殴伤法）。
乾道六年，[八月十六日]尚书省（此[批]状州县检验之官，并差文官，如有阙官去处，覆检官方差右选。本所看详∶检验之官自合根据法差文臣。如边远小县，委的阙文臣处，覆检官权差识字武臣。今声说照用。嘉定十六年二月十八日
臣僚奏∶检验不定要害致命之因，法至严矣。而检覆失实，则为觉举，遂以苟免。欲睿旨下刑部看详，颁示遵用。刑寺长贰详议∶检验不当，觉举自有见行条法；今检验不实，则乃为觉举，遂以苟免。今看详命官检验不实或失当，不许用觉举原免。余并依旧法施行。奉圣旨根据。
[Preface]
In handling judicial cases, nothing is more serious than the death penalty; in the death penalty, nothing is more critical than the initial investigation of circumstances; and in the initial investigation, nothing is more important than forensic examination. For it is here that the authority over life and death, and the mechanism for rectifying hidden grievances and injustice, are decided. The legal provisions requiring adherence to current regulations for such examinations reflect the utmost caution. In recent years, prefectures and counties have entrusted these duties to newly appointed officials, often those with shallow experience, who suddenly attempt tasks beyond their depth. Compounded by the deceit of coroners (assistants in autopsy) and the cunning of clerks, the situation becomes illusory and untraceable. Even a keen-minded person would find their intellect useless if they could not apply it directly, let alone those who merely observe from afar without personal inspection or turn up their noses in disdain.
I, Song Ci, have served four times as the Judicial Intendant (Ti Dian Xing Yu). While I possess no other outstanding talents, in reviewing judicial cases, I have always been rigorous and cautious, never harboring the slightest attitude of negligence. If I clearly discern deception, I promptly reject the report for re-examination; if doubts remain unresolved, I order repeated reviews and deep reflection, fearing hasty actions that might cause the deceased to suffer unjustly. I often reflect that errors in judicial outcomes mostly stem from flaws in the initial examination, and mistakes in final verdicts originate from a lack of practical experience. Therefore, I have extensively collected various books circulated in recent times, including *Nei Shu Lu* and several others, synthesized their essence, corrected and organized them, added my own insights, and compiled them into a single volume titled *Xi Yuan Ji Lu* (Collected Records of Washing Away Wrongful Accusations), which was printed at the Hunan Judicial Administration. I present this to my colleagues so they may cross-reference and verify. Just as a physician who thoroughly understands ancient methods and meridians can achieve precise results with acupuncture and herbs, thereby washing away wrongs and benefiting all, achieving a effect akin to raising the dead to life, so too shall this work serve its purpose.
On the tenth day before the first month of the winter solstice in the Ding-Wei year (1247 AD), Song Ci, Chao San Da Fu (Counselor), newly appointed Zhi Mi Ge (Director of the Secret Library), and Hunan Ti Dian Xing Yu (Judicial Intendant of Hunan) serving as Counselor to the Grand Envoy's Office, respectfully submits this.
If any virtuous scholars or officials have observations or personal experiences outside the scope of this collection, I earnestly request you to record them on a slip of paper and bestow them upon me to supplement what is lacking. Song Ci bows and reports.
[Chapter 1: Regulations]
Any corpse that should be examined but is not; or where the dispatch to examine is delayed by more than two hours after receiving orders; or where the official does not personally inspect; or fails to determine the key cause of death; or determines the cause incorrectly (such as classifying unnatural death as natural disease, or head injuries as rib injuries), shall each be punished for violating imperial decrees. If wrongful convictions or acquittals result from relying on such examination reports, the principle of voluntary confession leading to exemption from punishment does not apply. If the circumstances are difficult to clarify and the determination is inappropriate, the offender shall receive one hundred strokes of the heavy bamboo. Clerks and coroners shall be punished equally.
Those dispatched to examine or re-examine corpses who claim the body has decomposed beyond examination despite not having waited long enough, shall be guilty of failing to examine when required. (Detailed regulation during the Chunyou era).
For corpse examinations, if reporting takes more than two hours without requesting an official; if requesting an official violates regulations, or accepting a request violates regulations without explanation; or if documents arrive requiring acceptance but are refused; or if officials and coroners involved in initial or re-examinations meet improperly or leak information about the examination, each shall receive one hundred strokes of the heavy bamboo. (If the examination is completed but not reported to the superior department on the same day, this rule applies).
Counties receiving requests from other jurisdictions to send officials for corpse examination, who have available officials but claim a shortage, or indeed lack officials but fail to submit detailed reasons via document, or who hear of incoming documents and feign illness to avoid duty, shall each be punished for violating imperial decrees.
Coroners receiving bribes during corpse examinations shall be punished according to the laws governing public servants.
For inspections and re-inspections requiring official dispatch, individuals with no kinship conflicts or conflicts of interest shall be selected.
Officials eligible for rewards upon completion of their term in their current post shall not be dispatched elsewhere, except for duties related to assisting in corpse examinations.
For corpse examinations, Prefectures shall dispatch Si Li Can Jun (Judicial Assistant), (for prisoners in our jurisdiction, another official shall be dispatched; if only one Si Li exists, this rule applies); Counties shall dispatch the County Sheriff (Xian Wei). If the Sheriff is absent, the Vice-County Magistrate (Cheng) or Clerk (Bu) shall be dispatched in order. (The Vice-County Magistrate must not leave the county boundaries). If all supervising officials are absent, the County Magistrate shall go. If the distance exceeds ten li, or if examining a prisoner of the county, the document shall be sent to the nearest county. For counties within city walls, reports go to the Prefecture. For required re-examinations, the dispatch document for the official shall be sent immediately on the day of the initial examination. Documents should go to the nearest county; if there is no county within one hundred li, the document may go to the local Patrol Officer (Xun Jian) or Chief Patrol Officer. (For internal re-inspections, documents should only go to the county official; if there is only one official, this applies, [and] refers to those not currently out on patrol).
When supervising officials go out of the city to examine corpses, the county shall assign five attendants (Shou Li) for duty.
For deaths where no relatives within the Si Ma mourning degree (distant kin) were present at the scene before death (this also applies to prisoners beaten to death within ten days or those being transported), an official shall be dispatched to examine the corpse. (For servants or maids whose statements are taken, public officers shall be dispatched). For prisoners and unnatural deaths, re-examination is still required. After re-examination, the body shall be buried immediately. (A guard shall be assigned; if relatives bury the body, it is handed over to them). If relatives are known to be elsewhere, they shall still be notified.
For corpses requiring re-examination, reports in Prefectures go to the Prefecture; in Counties, upon receiving the document, it goes to the county nearest to where the corpse is located. (The written statement must not specify the cause of death). If the distance is over one hundred li and far from the home county, only the home county official is contacted. (If there is only one official, contact another county).
When requesting an official to examine a corpse, do not cross the Yellow River or lakes (rivers refer to those without bridges; lakes refer to those swollen and uncrossable), nor send documents to counties with only one official. (For counties within city walls, documents are accepted; upon arrival, report to the Prefecture to dispatch an official).
For corpse examinations, if the document should go to a nearby county but goes to a distant one, the distant county shall accept it upon arrival, conduct the examination, and report to the superior department.
If a corpse requires re-examination by a neighboring county, but the requesting official is in another county, or is over one hundred li away, or on sick leave (provided it does not affect their primary duties), and no official is available to substitute, the receiving county shall, on the same day, detail the circumstances (including date and time if on leave), certify the facts, and report to the Prefecture and the Judicial Intendant's Office, while also notifying the original issuing office and sending documents to the next county in sequence.
The forms (Ge Mu) for initial and re-examinations of corpses shall be printed by the Judicial Intendant's Office according to standard templates. Each set consists of three sheets for initial and three for re-examination, numbered using characters from the Thousand Character Classic, and distributed to prefectures and counties. Upon examination, the three sheets shall be filled out first by the county/prefecture and given to the dispatched official. After the examination is complete, fill them out truthfully: one copy to the county/prefecture, one to the victim's family (if none, return to the office), and one with the date, time, and serial number sent via express courier directly to the Intendant's Office for verification. (This applies to third and subsequent examinations).
For deaths due to illness (excluding those in custody or transport), if relatives within the Si Ma degree living together, or relatives within the Da Gong degree living apart, arrive at the scene and wish to waive the examination, this shall be permitted. If monks or Taoists have disciples, or novice monks have masters, present at the scene before death, and the temple/monastery abbot certifies no other causes, the examination may be waived. Even if monks/Taoists have no disciples, if the abbot or congregation certifies, this rule applies.
For officials dying of illness (excluding those in custody or transport), if statements have been taken regarding disciplinary beatings; or if they died suddenly of illness, and the abbot of a nearby temple, shopkeepers, neighbors, or local authorities certify no foul play, the government may review and permit waiving the examination.
Although County Magistrates, Vice-Magistrates, and Clerks should be dispatched, one must remain in the county. (If all are absent during non-routine times, the Prefecture shall dispatch an acting official).
"Violating imperial decrees" refers to intentional violations, not negligence. (*Xing Tong · Decrees*: "Violating specific imperial instructions incurs two years of penal servitude. If the violation is unintentional error, one hundred strokes of the heavy bamboo").
Supervising officials who accept bribes to pervert the law shall be strangled if the bribe amounts to twenty bolts of silk (twenty-five for those without salary). If the crime warrants exile, or involves non-perverted bribery of fifty bolts of silk, they shall be exiled to their local garrison.
Those who commit suicide by poison, administer poison to others, and falsely accuse someone, if the crime does not warrant death, shall be exiled a thousand li. If the poisoned person dies and the accuser knowingly makes a false accusation, anyone may capture them, and a reward of fifty guan will be granted.
Relatives within the Si Ma degree who falsely accuse others of causing the death of a relative who died of illness shall be punished according to the laws of false accusation (e.g., claiming beating caused death, leading to official examination). This is not treated as negligence, nor does it qualify for reduced sentencing based on retracting false charges. If relatives within the Si Ma degree falsely accuse each other, or if servants/maids die of illness and their relatives falsely accuse the master's household, this rule applies. (If seniors falsely accuse juniors, redemption and sentence reduction follow the basic law).
Those who fake illness, death, or injury, or officials who fail to examine accurately when commissioned, shall each be punished one degree less than the offense they attempted to conceal. If a real illness or injury is not verified with evidence, it shall be treated as intentionally framing someone. (*Xing Tong · Commentary*: "Faking illness incurs one hundred strokes. Inaccurate examination equivalent to fraud incurs one degree less, ninety strokes").
If a corpse has been examined but is falsely identified as another person's corpse in a lawsuit, causing the government to investigate based on this trust, the accuser shall be punished under the laws of false accusation. If relatives falsely claim a corpse at the scene, they shall receive eighty strokes. If the falsely accused person dies in custody as a result, add three degrees. If the government conducts a wrongful inquiry, punish according to the laws of framing others.
*Xing Tong · Commentary*: Beating someone with an object incurs sixty strokes. (Bleeding constitutes injury; anything other than hands/feet is considered an object, including weapons without blades).
*Clarification of Xing Tong*: Kicking someone with boots/shoes causing injury: if the boot is hard, it counts as an object; if soft, it is difficult to classify as an object.
Regarding "Baogu" (period of guarantee for recovery): For injuries by hand/foot, the limit is ten days; for objects, twenty days; for blades, boiling water, or fire, thirty days. For broken limbs or fractured bones, the limit is fifty days. Death within the limit is judged as homicide. Bites follow the rules for objects. If abortion occurs within the Baogu period, a new guarantee period of thirty days begins after the abortion, added to the original injury limit, not exceeding fifty days. Death outside the limit, or within the limit due to other causes, is judged according to the original injury laws. ("Other causes" refers to death from additional complications, e.g., wind entering a head wound causing death—still judged as homicide. If death is not due to wind entering the wound, it is an "other cause," judged by original injury laws).
Qian Dao Year 6, August 16th: The Department of State Affairs [Comment]: Officials for county/prefecture examinations should be civil servants. If civil officials are unavailable for re-examination, military officials who can read may be temporarily assigned. Our office reviewed: Examination officials should strictly be civil servants. For remote small counties lacking civil servants, literate military officials may temporarily serve as re-examination officers. This is now declared for use.
Jia Ding Year 16, February 18th.
Memorial by Officials: Laws regarding determining the fatal cause of death are strict. However, if re-examination findings are inaccurate, they are reported as discoveries, allowing offenders to escape punishment. We request a wise decree for the Ministry of Justice to review and promulgate for compliance. The Ministers of the Judicial Offices deliberated: Inappropriate examinations are already covered by existing regulations for discovery/reporting. Now, if re-examination is inaccurate and treated as a discovery to escape punishment, we review that officials conducting inaccurate or inappropriate examinations shall not be exempted via discovery. All else remains according to old laws. Imperial Edict: Agreed.