kingnovel Chapter 1486 Supplementary Analysis of the Autopsy
Chapter 1486 Supplementary Analysis of the Autopsy
"The male DNA found under the victim's fingernails matches the DNA on the cigarette butt, indicating that the male perpetrator was scratched by the victim during a physical altercation, and the skin tissue remained under the fingernails. This is important direct evidence. The metal residue on the bluestone at the scene matches the material of the murder weapon, confirming that the weapon was used at the scene. The drag marks formed at the same time as the near-death drag determined by the autopsy, further reconstructing the crime process."
Xiao Sun added, "The time of death was determined to be between 2 and 3 a.m. At this time, it is dark and there are few people around. The fact that the perpetrator chose this time to commit the crime indicates that they were familiar with the scene and may have scouted the location in advance. This corresponds to the clues reported by the villagers of Lijia'ao Village about the strange man and woman active around the river ten days ago. It cannot be ruled out that the two had scouted the crime scene in advance and prepared for the crime."
Listening to their analysis, Li Ming said, "Immediately arrange for team members to review surveillance footage from Zhangjiagou Village, Lijia'ao Village, and surrounding roads during the 2-3 AM timeframe, focusing on tracking the black SUV's movements. Simultaneously, based on the last mealtime, visit nearby restaurants and food stalls to check if anyone matching the deceased's description dined between 10-11 PM the night before the incident. Additionally, regarding a ten-year-old niche brand jacket and an old-fashioned warehouse key, intensify the search of abandoned factories and private warehouses in the suburbs, contacting clothing collectors and secondhand market vendors to confirm the jacket's specific details."
Although the autopsy clarified the cause of death, time of death, and characteristics of the murder weapon, and improved the reconstruction of the crime, the victim's identity remains a mystery, and no clear suspect has been identified. The case investigation still faces considerable challenges. The members of the Criminal Investigation Division are each performing their duties, focusing their efforts on the new direction of the investigation. The laboratory is also intensifying its in-depth testing of various samples, attempting to find more breakthroughs from trace evidence.
Meanwhile, Zhang Lin continued to monitor the case's progress and follow up on the sample test results. He knew that forensic identification was only one part of the investigation; only by closely integrating it with on-site investigation, interviews, and technical testing could the truth of the case be gradually revealed. Identifying the deceased and apprehending the perpetrators required more supporting clues, and every piece of trace evidence and every test result could be the key to breaking the deadlock.
Over the next two days, the investigation continued, and the laboratory provided some in-depth test results: the fibrous material extracted from the victim's fingernails was completely consistent with the fibers of the male perpetrator's clothing, further confirming the physical conflict between the male perpetrator and the victim; the stitching residue on the back of the metal button, identified by textile experts, was pure cotton thread produced in a certain region ten years ago, primarily used for handmade coats, narrowing down the geographical range of the coat's origin; the female DNA extracted from the earring, after being entered into the database, showed no prior criminal record, indicating that the female perpetrator may have no criminal record.
The investigation has yielded some progress. The owner of a small restaurant about three kilometers from Zhangjiagou Village reported that around 10 PM the night before the incident, a man matching the deceased's description came to dine. He ordered rice, stir-fried vegetables, and braised pork, and ate alone for about half an hour. Afterward, he walked alone towards the Zhangjiagou River without using any transportation. The owner also provided the restaurant's surveillance footage, which clearly recorded the man's physical characteristics and clothing, perfectly matching the deceased.
"This clue is crucial!" After seeing the surveillance footage, Li Ming immediately convened a meeting with his team. "The deceased dined at this restaurant before the incident, and afterwards walked towards the river, indicating that he might have been heading to a location near the river where he encountered the perpetrators and had a conflict. Considering the time of death, the deceased arrived at the river area around 10:30 PM. After encountering the perpetrators, there may have been a period of conversation or argument before he was murdered between 2 and 3 AM."
Xiao Yang added, "After the meal, the deceased went to the river alone without any transportation, which suggests that he may have lived nearby or arranged to meet the perpetrators around the river. Combined with the clue of the old warehouse key, it cannot be ruled out that the deceased was connected to abandoned factories or private warehouses in the suburbs. He may have gone to the warehouse to retrieve something, or met the perpetrators near the warehouse and was then taken to the river to commit the crime."
Li Ming immediately adjusted the investigation strategy: "First, focus on the small restaurant and investigate the residents and tenants in the surrounding area, paying particular attention to those who match the deceased's characteristics and have recently gone missing. At the same time, investigate the deceased's activity trajectory to determine why he went towards the river. Second, based on the regional characteristics of the remaining stitches, investigate handmade jackets produced in this area ten years ago to pinpoint the source of the jackets and thus find the perpetrator. Third, investigate abandoned factories and private warehouses around the river one by one, paying particular attention to those who possess old-fashioned warehouse keys and may have connections with the deceased. Fourth, continue to track the driving trajectory of the black SUV and, based on the deceased's activity route after dining, reconstruct the encounter between the perpetrator and the deceased."
The investigation is progressing in a clearer direction. Although the victim's identity and the suspect are still unknown, the truth is getting closer as clues are pieced together and test results are refined. All members of the Criminal Investigation Division, along with the forensic team led by forensic pathologist Zhang Lin, are working tirelessly to unravel the mystery and bring the perpetrator to justice. Every piece of trace evidence, every test result, and every lead from interviews is piecing together a complete narrative, providing solid support for the final investigation.
Looking at the in-depth examination report in his hand, Zhang Lin said with a firm gaze, "Traces don't lie. Every injury and every remnant of the deceased tells the truth. As long as we maintain a rigorous and meticulous attitude and don't overlook any suspicious points, we will definitely find the identity of the deceased, identify the perpetrator, and give the deceased justice." He continued to devote himself to the sample examination work, trying to find breakthroughs from more subtle details and contribute more to solving the case. Meanwhile, the members of the Criminal Investigation Detachment are also moving closer to the truth step by step along the new direction of investigation. A race against time and a battle against the murderer are still ongoing.
After Li Ming finished assigning the investigation tasks, Xiao Zhou, who was in charge of verifying the missing persons' information, immediately gathered the team members for a group work meeting. "Brothers, identifying the deceased is the first hurdle in solving this case. Captain Li has entrusted us with this important task, so we must be fully focused."