National Forensic Doctor

Chapter 1385: Chapter 1309: Meticulous

The conversation between Jiang Yuan and Ni Cha was conducted in the Indonesian language.

Indonesian and Malay share 70% of their vocabulary, and the remaining 30% can be understood fairly well. Given Jiang Yuan’s Level 2 proficiency in Indonesian, the efficiency and accuracy of his conversation surpass that of an ordinary interpreter.

While he was speaking, the other people in the room were naturally listening intently.

However, even the most seasoned Dama police officers had never heard descriptions like those given by Jiang Yuan.

Is a suspect something you can just pick off a shelf based on the ingredients list?

Ni Cha had complete confidence in Jiang Yuan’s capabilities, yet he couldn’t help but ask, "Can you really tell just from the bedroom?"

"Footprints stepped on glass shards, and the scratches formed between the glass shards and the floor show differences in force and angle," Jiang Yuan explained primarily to the surrounding forensic technicians.

The death of a councilman, and in the capital no less, naturally drew the top local forensic experts. While the saying "a monk from outside knows the sutras better" isn’t unique to China, Jiang Yuan’s reputation was so prominent, and he had just recently solved several major cases, that inviting him was almost Kumar and Ni Cha’s first choice.

Accordingly, local technicians were more scrutinizing of Jiang Yuan, but he didn’t mind embracing the challenge.

But as his words fell, there were no sparks of challenge.

"Footprint analysis" is truly a uniquely Chinese expertise. Outside of the country, it doesn’t exist, making it a very pure skill.

So, when facing Jiang Yuan’s opening statement, the Dama technicians and experts felt utterly defenseless.

Technical discussions demand technical know-how, and if you lack the expertise, what’s the point of discussing?

As a criminal investigator, Ni Cha could naturally sense the room’s atmosphere.

After a brief calm, realizing no one was contradicting Jiang Yuan, Ni Cha’s adrenaline surged.

Ni Cha immediately grabbed his portable radio and tightly said, "Patrol unit, the suspect weighs around 80 kilograms, height is 180... has a military background..."

Ni Cha quickly relayed the data Jiang Yuan provided and then went on to inform other units.

The uniformed police officers downstairs sprang into action.

In this case, the fear was having nothing to do, not how much needed to be done.

Although there are many males who weigh 80 kilograms and stand 180 cm tall, in a specific place and time, like within a designated commercial zone, thoroughly screening everyone, the number perfectly matching this description definitely wouldn’t fill a team’s roster.

Adding military training and frequent fitness routines further eliminates anyone with a big belly or soft arms. In the end, using a shoe size of 43, being left-handed, and 32 years old for final confirmation, you can practically identify a unique individual.

If it’s possible to filter like that.

The officers responsible for patrolling below were actively questioning and searching. The task was akin to fishing, or more precisely, like angling for a specific tagged fish; catching it meant winning, missing it meant wasted effort.

Calculating only the success rate, catching a tagged fish isn’t high, but it’s achievable with a certain success probability.

Ni Cha assigned the task and simultaneously instructed the Image Investigation unit to conduct their inquiries.

The Chinese police treasures — Dama police loved using them too but weren’t as effective. Phones didn’t necessarily provide the comprehensive details that a Technical Investigation could give, surveillance wasn’t as thorough as Image Investigation’s offerings, and even DNA was only a slightly equalizing factor. But when the database lacked specific entries, thorough screenings were impossible too.

Jiang Yuan moved to the window and took out his phone, snapping a few photos.

Then, he went over to the safe to make observations, then stood up and circled the bedroom, saying, "The suspect didn’t even leave the bedroom?"

"Uh, didn’t leave?" Ni Cha was unsure.

"Indeed, there’s no trace of the suspect leaving the bedroom. The soles should have glass shards attached." This time, the local technical expert spoke.

Jiang Yuan exchanged a glance with him, nodded slightly, and said, "One could say it’s very professional, or very confident, or thoroughly knowledgeable about the room’s layout."

"How so?" Ni Cha immediately asked.

"Breaking in to commit murder or theft carries the most risk when the number of people inside is uncertain. If there are many people, getting hurt means leaving traces and it’s dangerous. There’s also the risk of ambush, even if there’s only one person inside; being familiar with the environment allows for potential severe harm...," Jiang Yuan said, looking at the local expert.

The latter smiled and said, "Indeed. So, if it can be confirmed there’s no one inside, or if the target is taken out in the bedroom and the task is completed, then not leaving the bedroom is a viable option. This runs the risk of leaving a witness, which many well-known cases have hinged upon, leading to convictions against the perpetrator."

"The suspect isn’t worried about witnesses or doesn’t care if there are any," Ni Cha summarized based on his understanding. After thinking, he added, "Perhaps it indicates he was fully aware of the interior situation?"

"That’s a possibility," the local expert nodded and continued, "To be fully aware, the suspect should have specific, accurate information. Bribing the building’s property staff? Or someone could have been monitoring comings and goings for him, or someone could help him by checking..."

"Property staff, Filipino maids, various workers, and visiting guests, I’ll investigate..." Ni Cha extrapolated and quickly proceeded with several examples.

During this pause, the local expert turned to Jiang Yuan, pointed to himself, and smiled, saying, "I’m Mahdi. I’ve heard of your reputation for a long time... I’ve studied your articles, especially on trace examination. You should write more articles..."

"I’ll write when I have the time," Jiang Yuan smiled and, out of courtesy, asked, "What do you think about the traces by the window?"

"The entry method is always a focus of attention," Mahdi stated before turning, positioning himself to face away from the window, and gesturing, "I think the suspect rappelled from an upper level, first used a knife to cut the glass, then kicked it in. During this process, the sound of cutting the glass was very minimal; the victim might not even have heard it."

Mahdi continued, "Kicking in the glass, this part should be done quickly by the suspect, and following that, he would swing into the room from outside. The victim wouldn’t even have time to escape the bedroom..."

Jiang Yuan nodded continuously, saying, "Very good."

"What’s your opinion?" Mahdi asked Jiang Yuan.

"I generally agree with your viewpoint," Jiang Yuan slowly said, "I think the reason is very good because you’ve grasped a main line, the main line of investigation. Speaking of the entry alone, the suspect’s actions were exceptionally swift, which is very important. Especially the final action, which was completed before the suspect escaped the bedroom; this is most beneficial to the suspect’s conduct, minimizing all risks."

Mahdi shyly smiled, feeling Jiang Yuan gave an ordinary compliment.

Then, Jiang Yuan continued, "Here, I believe particular attention is needed to the fact that the suspect should have used a boot to clear the glass around the edges."

Jiang Yuan pointed to some corners where he had just taken photos with his phone.

"Hmm... yes," Mahdi noticed after looking closely, "you’re quite meticulous in your observation."

"The suspect did this immediately after cutting and kicking the glass, and he did it very meticulously. Look, all glass around the edges has been cleared away, maximizing the prevention of any cuts, which would have left evidence."

Mahdi nodded, and Ni Cha, who had snapped back to attention, seemed a bit unsure of Jiang Yuan’s point.

Jiang Yuan didn’t usually hide his intentions; completing the preceding part, he went on directly, "I’ve watched some SWAT training. Generally speaking, even an ordinary SWAT officer can perform the glass-kicking move well, of course, ones who have already been trained in rappelling."

Jiang Yuan continued, "But adding clearing the edge glass, given the width of this window, rappelling in one move, simultaneously releasing rappelling equipment, and subduing the suspect... I think less practiced SWAT, even if they can barely do it, cannot guarantee they can do it every time. As a part of a meticulous plan, this leaves a gap."

Jiang Yuan stopped here and looked at Ni Cha, saying, "With this assessment, I believe that even if taught and able to master rappelling, if a military police officer hasn’t trained for a long time, they can’t achieve this." noveldrama

Jiang Yuan continued, "The suspect’s confidence in employing this high-difficulty entry method, committing murder inside, especially against a prominent figure, implies he wouldn’t rely on luck. Therefore, it’s very likely that the suspect is currently active personnel."

Ni Cha and Mahdi, and even the local police around, couldn’t help but swallow.

Did the knife edge suddenly turn inward?

Jiang Yuan didn’t hesitate and continued, "Confirm the suspect’s height and weight, further screening active military and police, especially those who’ve undergone relevant rappelling training, and ask if there’s an alibi. If the conditions are met and there’s any record of leave that day, then a deeper investigation is warranted."

Ni Cha left the bedroom without a word, heading to a secluded corner.