National Forensic Doctor

Chapter 1395: Chapter 1319: Suspicion in the Prison

The gentle breeze blew across the Tai River, bringing a slight chill.

The river water rippled gently, lapping against the anti-corrosion wood along the riverbank. noveldrama

Near the school on Binhe Road, they had built some water-friendly platforms at the slower sections of the river. The platforms were almost level with the river water, and during the flood control period in summer, the platforms would often be submerged.

A few students were wearing light clothing, sitting by the river, posing and enjoying the blend of wind and water. A girl with snow-white skin deliberately took off her shoes and put her white feet into the river, swaying with the waves, a graceful smile on her face, as her companion captured a series of twelve shots for her.

Cao Chujun, captain of the third brigade, brought the suspect back to the crime scene. Watching the suspect complete the identification work, he lowered his voice and asked Wen Ming next to him, "The position where the victim fell into the water is just upstream from where they’re taking photos, isn’t it?"

"Yes." Wen Ming also came to see the suspect identify the scene. After replying to Cao Chujun, he specifically added, "Also, it’s within the range confirmed by Captain Jiang, only a few dozen meters from the central point."

"That’s already accurate enough. I should say too accurate. However, what I’m talking about isn’t the judgment of the falling position." Cao Chujun said, then pouted, explaining, "I mean, the spot where that girl is soaking her feet is where the body flowed down, right?"

"Probably."

"With the water flow so slow here, it’s very likely the body could have bumped into this protruding platform, right?" Though Cao Chujun was old and didn’t understand much about criminal science techniques, he had abundant experience.

Wen Ming nodded in agreement, "That’s possible. After the victim fell in, their state would certainly not be good, drifting with the waves. They might either float past the girl’s foot-soaking spot or possibly bump into the platform, make a turn or something, and then continue drifting down... These girls probably didn’t expect that not long ago, a corpse had just drifted past where they were taking photos."

Wan Baoming, from the Criminal Science Center, had always been very attentive to Jiang Yuan’s case. Hearing their conversation, he immediately perked up and came over to take a look: "Although it’s not the river water from before, it should have passed through."

"A body bumping into this platform would leave DNA, right?" Cao Chujun pointed and asked Wan Baoming, "Get a brush, if we can collect DNA, it’s an addition to the evidence chain."

"It is." Wan Baoming found it difficult, as algae and such easily destroy DNA, but there was no need to explain this to a veteran officer like Cao Chujun, plus, what if they really found something?

Wan Baoming didn’t waste time, grabbed two people over, had them wipe the edge of the water-friendly platform to see if they could collect DNA, and specifically instructed, "Talk nicely to the photo-taking girls, don’t scare them."

Two minutes later, a clear and sharp scream shattered the tranquility of the Tai River’s banks.

The one who screamed thunderously was the girl who had just dipped her feet into the river, swimming and swaying.

Initially, they didn’t mind what a group of police officers was doing, just like spectators watching a fight between people with weapons. While taking photos, the students didn’t care what the police were doing, even wanting to use the officers as a backdrop, taking photos to post on social media.

However, watching a lively scene is one thing, a corpse is another.

Thinking that the spot where her foot had just touched might have brushed against a corpse not long ago, the students couldn’t help but feel goosebumps all over.

Cao Chujun couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.

...

Back at the police station, Cao Chujun was at the forefront, heading straight to Jiang Yuan.

As expected, Brigade Chief Yu Wenshu was accompanying Jiang Yuan, talking.

The investigative phase of the previous case had ended, and it was about to be sent for examination. During such times, if Yu Wenshu had spare moments, he would frequently be around Jiang Yuan, much like a Czech wolf approaching mealtime, not only fearing to miss something but feeling it’s a loss to delay eating.

Cao Chujun entered, first mentioning the on-site identification situation, receiving unanimous praise from everyone, then recounted the story of cleaning the water-friendly platform.

On-site identification is a crucial part of criminal cases; completing it smoothly not only aids prosecution and trial but also boosts investigation morale, similar to the logic of "why help if it’s not you," with on-site identification being "why know so clearly if it’s not you."

The platform cleaning story was purely for fun, even Yu Wenshu, after hearing it, was pulled out from the serious atmosphere, cursing with a laugh, "Old Cao, you’re a bit disrespectful to the young, you’re somewhat bullying."

Cao Chujun chuckled a few times, pleasing everyone, then casually remarked, "Just gave them a reminder. This generation of young people, too easily trusting everyone as good persons. Even when we’re heavily armed, bringing suspects, they’re thinking about which angle to post on social media."

"Public safety is good now, different from your time," Yu Wenshu replied, smiling.

"Good doesn’t mean there’s no crime left," Cao Chujun removed his gear, rubbed his neck, and said, "When I was a detective 40 years ago, there were murder cases daily, robberies, kidnappings... Every bus in Changyang City had thieves, not just one, and they’d pull out knives when caught. Back then, young guys stabbed people who were even younger than me, I remember one scarred a girl’s face and got ten years for it, he’s probably out by now."

Yu Wenshu took over the conversation: "It’s different now. Not only has the method of social governance changed, but the situations we face also differ. Like the case I just presented to Director Jiang, the victim died in prison, with surveillance, no staff interactions, yet we can’t find the culprit."

He steered the topic to a new case, and Cao Chujun immediately cooperated, also somewhat surprised, "A cellmate did it? How did they die?"

"Without external injuries, found alone in a corner of the cafeteria, lips cyanotic, breathing rapid, died before reaching the hospital," Yu Wenshu said seriously, "The Procuratorate has already gotten involved, and the prison administration is very anxious, so they’ve sought help from Director Jiang.

"It’s not an exaggeration. This case does seem peculiar. With the excellent prison surveillance conditions now, if the perpetrator avoided detection, wouldn’t they ensure the victim’s death? Allowing medical assistance seems uncharacteristic."

Yu Wenshu smiled wryly, "People in prison don’t necessarily have murder experience, let alone professionalism. Some are inherently bold, but killing isn’t that easy."

During the conversation, Huang Qiangmin finished his call, returned holding his phone, nodded to Cao Chujun in greeting, then plopped down next to Yu Wenshu and said, "This case is not simple. There’s definitely a lapse in prison management. The victim was imprisoned for two years and was a fraudster without a violent criminal record. According to them, there was no grudge with anyone either. By this calculation, it’s unclear why they died."

Huang Qiangmin: "Moreover, the victim behaved well daily, hence qualified to assist in the cafeteria, which is a good position in prison with more free time than others. But if this was prepared to kill him, the identity of the culprit becomes problematic."

Yu Wenshu nodded slowly, "Old Qin was just transferred there last year, so he’s also concerned... But, no matter what, Old Qin supports our investigation. The Procuratorate is also fully backing Jiang Yuan, as per Old Qin’s suggestion."

"If we go now, can we access all surveillance videos?" Huang Qiangmin tossed an exam immediately.

"Old Qin gave me assurances," Yu Wenshu unhesitatingly replied, "At least, we will ensure Jiang Yuan sees everything."

Huang Qiangmin then looked at Jiang Yuan and said, "If that’s the case, I think we can give it a try, but if we can’t see the surveillance or don’t see it entirely, we turn and leave, no problem, right?"

"No problem. I’ll personally go with you," Yu Wenshu, more concerned about issues than Huang Qiangmin, promptly rallied his men, merging into Jiang Yuan’s team.