According to the interrogation methods, the Qin Dynasty divided the interrogation results into three grades. The first level is "Shang", and the facts of the case can be verified according to the confession; The second level is "Xia", in which torture devices are used to clarify the case; The last level is "defeat". In the trial, not only punishment means were used, but also intimidation means were used to verify the case.

The Qin dynasty always used the method of intelligent interrogation, and did not advocate extorting confessions by torture. The article "Governing Prison" in Closed Diagnosis clearly points out that in the course of trial, anyone who can be traced according to his confession clues shall not use torture to obtain the truth of the criminal's guilt and punishment, which is superior, and anyone who uses torture to extract a confession is inferior.

Extended data

Interrogators in Qin Dynasty investigated suspects in two ways: on-site investigation and letter investigation. First, the county magistrate sent a special official to lead a team with special testing technology to go to the site for inspection. When judging whether the deceased has a disease, a forensic doctor needs to follow.

After arriving at the scene, the investigators should check the situation of the deceased one by one, paying special attention to the scene, the surrounding environment and the confession of the insider. If you encounter major problems, you should take out samples for on-the-spot investigation. After the verdict, the Qin dynasty also allowed the defendant to appeal and review the appeal. Officials who create false and wrong cases need to be severely punished.