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Song Ci (1186–1249), courtesy name Huifu, was a native of Jianyang, Jianning Prefecture, Southern Song Dynasty (present-day Jianyang District, Nanping City, Fujian Province). In his youth, he studied under Zhu Xi's disciple and fellow townsman Wu Zhi, and later entered the Imperial College, where he studied under the Imperial College Doctor Zhen Dexiu. He authored Xiyuan Jilu, the world's first systematic forensic science work based on methods of death.

In the 10th year of Jiading during the reign of Emperor Ningzong of Song (1217), he passed the imperial examination in the second class and was appointed as the County Lieutenant of Yin County (in charge of public security, rank 9b). However, he did not take office due to his father's death. After the mourning period, he was appointed as the Registrar of Xinfeng (in charge of finance, rank 9b, higher than the County Lieutenant). He successively served as the Magistrate of Changting, Assistant Magistrate (in charge of finance) of Shaowu Army, and Assistant Magistrate of Nanjian Prefecture. He declined official positions and was instead assigned to manage the military provisions office (in charge of distributing military provisions, known as a talent reserve). Later, he served as the Magistrate of Changzhou, where he successfully relieved famine and was promoted. He served as the Agricultural Commissioner (rank 8a) of Ganzhou but was later impeached and dismissed. He was reappointed as the Magistrate of Qizhou, but on his way to take office, he was reassigned as the Judicial Commissioner of the Eastern Guangdong Circuit. Many officials in Guangdong did not abide by the law, and cases remained unresolved for years. Within eight months of his arrival, Song Ci resolved over 200 cases. He was then transferred as the Judicial Commissioner of the Western Jiangxi Circuit, where he strictly prohibited the illegal salt trade during agricultural off-seasons, achieving significant results. Some even suggested his methods be implemented nationwide. He later concurrently served as the Magistrate of Ganzhou. He was then transferred as the Judicial Commissioner of the Western Guangxi Circuit, where he brought great order. He served as the Judicial Commissioner of the Hunan Circuit with the titles of Court Gentleman for Comprehensive Duty (rank 6b) and Direct Scholar of the Secret Archives (rank 8a). The Grand Commissioner of Hunan, Chen Wei, appointed him as a staff officer, and he was promoted to Direct Scholar of the Baomo Archives (rank 7b) for his contributions. He later served as the Magistrate of Guangzhou, concurrently holding the titles of Court Gentleman for Discussion (rank 6a), Direct Scholar of the Huanzhang Archives (rank 7b), and Military Commissioner of the Eastern Guangdong Circuit (in charge of military and administrative affairs of the circuit). He died in office at the age of 64.

Song Ci served as the judicial commissioner in Guangdong, Jiangxi, Guangxi, and Hunan four times during his over 20-year official career. He was renowned for his judgment in legal cases and accumulated extensive forensic experience. He synthesized, verified, and refined existing forensic works such as Neishu Lu (along with other works like *Doubtful Cases Collection*, *Doubtful Cases by Category*, *Judgment Mirror*, and *Inspection Guidelines*). In the 7th year of Chunyou during the reign of Emperor Lizong of Song (1247), Song Ci, then holding the titles of Court Gentleman for Comprehensive Duty (rank 6b), newly appointed Direct Scholar of the Secret Archives (rank 8a), Judicial Commissioner of the Hunan Circuit, and staff officer to the Grand Commissioner of Hunan, completed the systematic forensic work Xiyuan Jilu. Song Ci overturned countless wrongful convictions in his lifetime. He believed that "no legal matter is more serious than capital punishment, no capital punishment is more serious than the initial facts, and no initial facts are more serious than forensic examination" (from the preface of Xiyuan Jilu). He insisted on "re-examining repeatedly" and emphasized on-site investigations. His contemporary Liu Kezhuang praised him in his epitaph: "He adjudicated cases with clarity and decisiveness, showed great kindness to the good, and wielded authority over the powerful. From subordinate officials to the poorest villagers in remote mountains and valleys, all felt as if Song, the Judicial Commissioner, was present before them."