Henry Chang-Yu Lee coaches Deng Chao, the lead actor of Evil Minds The Light of City, about the investigation skills. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Henry Chang-Yu Lee, one of the world's most renowned forensic scientists, appeared in Beijing last week to promote a forthcoming movie.

The Chinese-American investigator was invited as a special guest by Bill Kong, one of the producers of the crime thriller Evil Minds: The Light of City.

Led by veteran actors Deng Chao, Ethan Juan and actress Liu Shishi, the film is adapted from the fourth novel of the crime franchise Evil Minds, penned by Lei Mi.

With rich knowledge of psychology, forensic science, medicine and law, Lei interweaves real incidents into fictionalized sets to create a series of fascinating tales.

Lei’s novels have been adapted to online series before, but it's the first time his work has been turned into a cinematic feature.

Lee, who has worked on such high-profile cases as the O.J. Simpson trial and a reinvestigation into the JFK assassination, praises the film screenplay of its narration.

Centering on a serial killer, the film develops into a mental battle between morality and justice.

Deng, who stars as a detective, says the film has Chinese flair as well as dramatic twists, a standard formula for crime thrillers.

The film will be released later this year, though a premiere date has yet to be confirmed.

Lee shows off the close combat skills to the Taiwan actor Ethan Juan. [Photo provided to China Daily]