eurekapd Chapter 1481 Comparison Clues
Chapter 1481 Comparison Clues
"Next, all the collected trace evidence will be immediately sent to the laboratory for DNA testing, fingerprint comparison, fiber composition analysis, and tire material identification to determine the source of the bloodstains, fingerprint attribution, vehicle model, and key usage as soon as possible. At the same time, team members will conduct a comprehensive dredging of the river, searching for the murder weapon and the victim's personal belongings; conduct interviews in Zhangjiagou Village and surrounding villages to investigate recently missing persons and compare the victim's physical characteristics; and review surveillance footage of surrounding roads based on tire tracks and footprints to track the movements of suspicious vehicles and personnel."
"Understood!" Xiao Yang and Xiao Sun replied in unison, then carefully placed the collected trace evidence into the investigation kit, ready to send it to the laboratory. By this time, the sunlight had completely dispelled the thick fog, shining on the river and creating shimmering waves, but the atmosphere at the scene remained heavy. Although the investigation had made some progress and collected a number of trace pieces of evidence, the identity of the deceased was unknown, and there were no clear clues about the identity of the suspect, the motive, or the process of the crime. The investigation still faced many challenges.
Looking at the investigation kit in his hand, Xiao Sun said with a determined gaze, "Brother Yang, although the clues are still scattered, these traces and physical evidence are all breakthroughs. As long as the laboratory test results come out, we can gradually narrow down the scope of the investigation and identify the suspect." Xiao Yang nodded and said in a steady tone, "That's right. The traces at the scene don't lie. Every piece of physical evidence and every set of traces we collect may hide the truth of the case. Next, we need to follow up and analyze the test results, and combine them with the interviews and investigations to quickly sort out the crime's modus operandi."
Li Ming instructed his team to continue monitoring the scene to prevent the destruction of traces and evidence. He also expanded the scope of their investigation, not only searching Zhangjiagou Village but also several surrounding villages, shops along the route, and households, focusing on whether any unfamiliar people or vehicles had recently appeared, and whether any villagers had seen suspicious individuals around the river. "The identity of the deceased is crucial to solving the case. We must find information about the missing persons as soon as possible and compare it with the deceased's physical characteristics. At the same time, we must closely monitor the progress of laboratory testing and report any results immediately," Li Ming instructed his team.
While on-site control and investigation were proceeding smoothly, Xiao Yang and Xiao Sun arrived at the Criminal Investigation Detachment laboratory with trace evidence. Laboratory staff immediately began intensive testing, performing DNA typing on the extracted bloodstains, comparing fingerprints, analyzing the composition of fibers and rubber particles, and comparing details of the plaster model of the tire tracks. All testing was carried out simultaneously to obtain results as quickly as possible.
Xiao Yang and Xiao Sun stayed in the lab, monitoring the entire testing process. They observed the inspection while analyzing the findings from the on-site investigation. "Look at this metal button," Xiao Yang said, holding up the button. "The pattern on its surface is very unique, like a button from an old-fashioned coat. It might come from a niche brand or handmade clothing. This could be a breakthrough in our investigation." Xiao Sun nodded. "And this key," Xiao Yang continued, "the serrations are very distinctive. It's not a common house key or car key. It might be a special key for a warehouse, toolbox, or something similar. We need to contact a locksmith for authentication."
The two investigators further analyzed the footprints and tire tracks, and combined this with the terrain and trace patterns to deduce the perpetrators' walking route and vehicle trajectory: the perpetrators drove their vehicle along a dirt road to the riverbank, parked, and then a man and a woman walked into the shallow riverbed, where they clashed with the victim. The male perpetrator stabbed the victim in the chest with a sharp object, causing death. Afterward, the two dragged the body to a patch of reeds and hid it before fleeing the scene in their vehicle, discarding cigarette butts, buttons, and other items during their escape. However, this is only a preliminary deduction, and the specific details of the crime need further verification based on the examination results and interviews.
In the evening, the laboratory reported some test results: all three bloodstain samples were from the deceased; the bloodstains on the reed stem were splattered blood, corresponding to the location of the wound on the deceased's chest, indicating that the deceased had been attacked with a sharp object at that location during the crime; the fingerprints on the cigarette butt were unclear and could not be effectively compared, but male DNA was extracted from the saliva residue, which did not match the deceased's DNA, and was preliminarily determined to be left by the perpetrator; the black fibrous material was cotton and came from a dark coat, which was different from the material of the deceased's coat, and may have come from the perpetrator's clothing; the plaster model of the tire mark was identified as a tire of a certain brand of SUV, model 225/60R17, commonly found in mid-to-low-end SUV models.
Upon receiving the test results, Xiao Yang and Xiao Sun immediately reported to Li Ming. Li Ming promptly adjusted the direction of the investigation: "Focusing on this brand of SUV, investigate vehicle registration information in the surrounding area, paying particular attention to vehicles with recent traffic violations or those that appeared on roads near the crime scene; combine male DNA typing to check the database for prior offenders and compare for matches; focusing on cotton fibers and metal buttons, investigate nearby clothing markets and tailor shops to determine the source of the clothing and buttons; continue to intensify the search for missing persons, and issue a notice for assistance based on the deceased's physical characteristics and clothing style."
As night deepened, the Criminal Investigation Division office remained brightly lit. Team members were busy with their respective tasks: some were organizing visit records, others were checking vehicle information, some were following up on remaining laboratory tests, and still others were sifting through trace evidence. Everyone was racing against time to solve the case. Xiao Yang and Xiao Sun continued analyzing the crime scene investigation data and test results, reviewing the perpetrator's movement map, attempting to find connections between scattered clues to identify the suspect and their whereabouts.
"Based on the current clues, the perpetrators were somewhat aware of counter-surveillance measures. They took the murder weapon and cleaned up the scene after committing the crime, but still left behind crucial clues such as tire tracks, footprints, and DNA," Xiao Yang said to Xiao Sun, pointing to the scene investigation map. "The male perpetrator is 178-182 cm tall, of slender build, smokes, and wears diamond-patterned rubber-soled shoes; the female perpetrator is 160-163 cm tall, of medium build, and wears thin-striped rubber-soled shoes; both drove a mid-to-low-end SUV of a certain brand, model 225/60R17. These characteristics can be the focus of the investigation."
Xiao Sun added, "Furthermore, the cigarette butts were from ordinary flue-cured cigarettes, which are inexpensive, suggesting that the perpetrators may have limited financial means; the metal buttons were made of brass and had an old design, possibly from clothing from many years ago, or perhaps the perpetrators were wearing an old coat; the key's teeth had unusual patterns, and if its purpose could be determined, it would narrow down the scope of the investigation. In addition, the drag marks indicated that the dragging process was quite strenuous, possibly indicating that one person dragged the key, or that the woman was only assisting while the man was the main force, which could also reflect the division of labor between the two."