Attending ex-girlfriend's wedding, arresting the groom's officer on the spot

Xiao Lin immediately followed the instructions, using a disposable lancet to collect a venous blood sample from the deceased and placing it in an evidence bag labeled "Deceased's Blood Sample-001." He then used a fingerprint extractor to collect the deceased's fingerprints from all ten fingers, creating fingerprint sample cards. He further used tweezers to collect a small amount of hair from the deceased's head and placed it in the corresponding evidence bag. "Teacher Zhang, all samples have been collected, numbered, and labeled."

Zhang Kai checked the samples and records again: "Okay. Next, let's carefully examine the deceased's clothing and personal belongings to see if any identification information has been missed." The two carefully examined the pockets of the deceased's shirt, trousers, and shoes again. Apart from a key with a "福" (good fortune) character mark and a crumpled tissue found during the previous on-site investigation, there were no other items. The key and tissue had already been taken as evidence by Yang Lin and his team; only a small amount of bloodstains and fibers remained on the clothing.

"The distribution of bloodstains on the deceased's clothing matches the location of the wounds. The bloodstains on the shirt on the chest are soaked, while there are a few drops of blood on the trousers and shoes, which should be from the deceased's blood dripping after death." Zhang Kai used anatomical forceps to extract a small bloodstain sample from the shirt. "These bloodstain samples will need to be DNA-typed to confirm whether they are the deceased's blood." Xiao Lin immediately made a record and sealed the sample for preservation.

At this time, the clock in the autopsy room showed that it was 10:30 p.m. The entire external examination and autopsy work had lasted for more than three hours. Zhang Kai took off his goggles and rubbed his slightly sore eyes: "Xiao Lin, organize the autopsy records. Make sure to organize the external examination results, autopsy findings, the basis for determining the time of death, and the basis for determining the cause of death in detail, and submit them to the brigade first thing tomorrow morning."

While organizing the notes, Xiaolin said, "Teacher Zhang, although this autopsy has determined the time and cause of death, we still haven't found any clues to identify the deceased. The deceased had no identification documents on him, and his clothing and personal belongings were all common styles without any unique markings. It's too difficult to confirm his identity."

Zhang Kai sighed, his tone heavy, and said, "Yes, that's what I'm most worried about. If the deceased's identity cannot be confirmed, we can't investigate his social relationships, and the case will reach a stalemate. However, we have already extracted the deceased's DNA sample and fingerprints, which can be entered into the national DNA database and fingerprint information system for comparison to see if we can find matching identity information. In addition, the key with the 'Fu' character mark and the black leather wallet found at the scene might become a breakthrough in confirming the deceased's identity. Wang Shuai and his team should already be investigating based on these clues."

“But Wang Shuai and his team’s investigation has reached a dead end. There are no surveillance cameras in the area, and they’ve visited so many places without finding any clues,” Xiao Lin said with some worry. “Now, even the autopsy hasn’t revealed any new clues to the identity. Will this case be difficult to advance?” Zhang Kai patted Xiao Lin on the shoulder: “Don’t be discouraged. Our duty as forensic doctors is to uncover the truth behind the body, provide accurate time and cause of death, and provide direction for the investigation. Although we haven’t confirmed the victim’s identity yet, we have determined that the murder weapon was a single-edged dagger, the time of the crime was between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., and the motive was most likely murder for money. This information is crucial for solving the case. Next, we need to complete the sample testing as soon as possible to see if we can find any new breakthroughs from the victim’s DNA and fingerprints.”

Afterwards, Zhang Kai and Xiao Lin carefully placed the deceased's body into a body bag, sealed it, and sent it to the morgue for preservation. Next, they thoroughly disinfected the autopsy room, organized all the autopsy instruments and samples, and then left the forensic identification center. By this time, the night was deeper, but the lights in the Criminal Investigation Detachment building were still bright. Wang Shuai and his team were still in their office organizing their interview records, while Yang Lin and Yang Sen were reviewing the crime scene investigation data. Everyone was busy with this difficult case.

The next morning, Zhang Kai submitted a detailed autopsy report to the branch leadership and the case investigation team. The report clearly stated: "The deceased was an adult male, aged 38-42, 175 cm tall, and weighing approximately 65 kg; the time of death was between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM on the day the body was discovered; the cause of death was hemorrhagic shock caused by a single-edged sharp weapon stabbing the left ventricle; the murder weapon is inferred to be a single-edged sharp weapon approximately 25 cm in total length and with a blade length of approximately 15 cm (matching the single-edged dagger recovered from the scene); there were no other violent injuries on the deceased's body, and no other causes of death such as asphyxiation or poisoning." The report also included detailed external examination records, autopsy findings, and a list of samples collected.

Lu Chuan convened a case progress meeting with Yang Lin, Yang Sen, Wang Shuai, Zhang Kai, and others. At the meeting, Zhang Kai gave a detailed report on the autopsy. "Forensic Doctor Zhang," Lu Chuan concluded, "based on your autopsy results, combined with our on-site investigation and interviews, we can currently confirm that the suspect stabbed the victim in the heart with a single-edged dagger between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM in the core area of ​​the unfinished building on the third floor, causing death. He then ransacked the victim's wallet for money, wrapped the body in plastic sheeting, and fled the scene. However, the key issues remain unresolved: the victim's identity is unknown, and there are no leads on the suspect."

Yang Lin added, "The fingerprints and DNA samples collected at the scene have been sent for testing, but so far only it has been confirmed that the bloodstains belonged to the deceased. The suspect's DNA information has not been obtained, and no matching fingerprints have been found in the system. The fiber samples are under further testing, and we hope to find new information." Wang Shuai said, "Our investigation into the key and wallet has also made no progress. The key with the 'Fu' character mark and the black leather wallet are common styles, and their origin cannot be determined. The interviews and surveillance footage retrieval in the surrounding area have also yielded no breakthroughs, and the case is indeed at a standstill."

Zhang Kai said, "Our forensic department will complete the comparison of the deceased's DNA sample with the national DNA database as soon as possible. At the same time, we will conduct more in-depth tests on the extracted clothing fibers, fingernail crevices, and other samples to see if we can find any traces related to the suspect. In addition, the deceased's teeth, bones, and other samples can also undergo further anthropological examination, which may provide more clues to confirm the deceased's identity, such as the deceased's place of origin and dietary habits."

Lu Chuan nodded: "Okay, let's proceed along this line of thought. Zhang Kai, your forensic department must expedite the sample testing process; Wang Shuai, you continue to lead your team to expand the scope of your investigation, focusing on recently missing persons in the northern suburbs, comparing them with the deceased's age, height, clothing, and other characteristics." (End of Chapter)