Dr. Henry Lee, a renowned forensic expert, once shared a principle he holds dear: “You must not fear anything, except karma.” He explained that his mother, a devout Buddhist, often reminded him: “The net of Heaven is vast and wide, and nothing escapes it. Good and evil deeds will eventually be repaid — it’s just a matter of time.” This belief in karmic justice coexists with Dr. Henry Lee’s dedication to science-based criminal investigations, where he relies on evidence and scientific methods to solve cases. To him, there is no conflict between his faith in karma and his work in forensic science.
A father’s relentless pursuit of justice
Dr. Henry Lee recounted a famous criminal case. On July 16, 1973, at noon, a murder occurred in New Haven, Connecticut. A girl was stabbed in the heart at a shopping center and died on the spot. The case remained unsolved.
Her father sold his auto repair shop, determined to find the real culprit. Initially, he published full-page ads in the newspaper every month, stating: “Today marks 173 days since my daughter was murdered,” offering a US$1 million reward for any information. As the years passed, his funds dwindled, and the ads became smaller, but he persisted for over 20 years, publishing a final ad: “Today marks 8,395 days since my daughter’s death. Please help.”
The evolving role of forensic science
In 1979, forensic science began gaining traction in the U.S. due to advancements in evidence analysis. However, multiple suspects were released due to a lack of solid evidence. The girl’s father, in desperation, approached Dr. Henry Lee, pleading: “You’re my last hope.” He re-examined the case files and focused on a tissue box found in the victim’s car. A small bloodstain on the box indicated the presence of a fingerprint, but previous tests had failed to uncover anything. Using a new chemical reagent, Dr. Henry Lee’s team discovered a partial fingerprint, which was then sent to various databases — but no match was found.
A breakthrough after decades of waiting
Dr. Henry Lee carried the fingerprint card with him on international lectures, checking with databases in England, Canada, and Germany — hoping for a match. Meanwhile, the victim’s father continued his pursuit, though his health deteriorated. He eventually developed terminal cancer, but implored Dr. Henry Lee not to give up on solving his daughter’s murder. Dr. Henry Lee told him: “All the police are working hard, but karma has its own timing. It’s not that there is no retribution.”
Then, one night in 1994, His team finally had a breakthrough: a man arrested for assaulting his fiancée had his fingerprints entered into the database, and they matched the print from the crime scene. Further evidence, including matching blood types and DNA from the handkerchief left at the scene, pointed to him as the prime suspect.
The suspect was arrested in June 1999 and convicted in May 2002. Tragically, the victim’s father passed away just seven months before the killer was brought to justice.
Karma and the science of solving crimes
Dr. Henry Lee reflected on the root causes of crime, noting that research points to three primary motivations: money, hatred, and lust — essentially, human desire. However, he believes that karma ultimately governs the outcome of our actions. The resolution of this decades-old case serves as a powerful testament to his belief that “good and evil are always repaid,” demonstrating how science and faith can work hand in hand to achieve justice.
Translated article
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