The real life of an American police officer: Winning over others with virtue

Chapter 157 List
By the time he finished this step, the technicians who had already entered had carefully laid out several portable footprint treads to ensure that subsequent personnel would not damage any potential ground traces when entering the core area.

"Where is the body?" Hope asked.

“In the master bedroom’s bathroom.” Eric glanced at the technicians who were checking the food on the table without batting an eye, and knew he was definitely not cut out for this kind of work.

Because he could hardly stand the stench.

Follow Hope to the master bedroom.

The rest of the time was their domain, and Eric was completely on the sidelines, watching them work as if he were watching a movie.

First up is Hope, who is placing a credit card-sized temperature and humidity logger in the clean central area.

If he's not mistaken, this is likely something to prevent the contamination of evidence.

Next, Hope took out a portable air sampling pump about the size of a mobile phone, extracted several air samples, and sealed them in a specially made small odor-sealing container.

“Record the environmental baseline, especially that new smell,” he whispered to his assistant who was taking notes.

Meanwhile, another technician in the master bedroom, holding a wide-format digital camera, systematically took panoramic photos of the entire living room and dining room, starting from the doorway, to establish an initial on-site record.

"come over!"

Following Hope's instructions, Eric obediently followed him toward the bathroom inside.

The scenes inside would be absolutely terrifying for ordinary people, but Hope and his assistant remained completely calm and composed.

Although Hope hadn't spoken yet, Eric knew what he should do now: simply hand the box to Hope and wait.

But Eric also knew that Hope had likely called him in because of the police body camera on him, as patrol officer footage could serve as evidence that the scene had not been tampered with.

It might not be necessary, but that didn't stop him from thinking about it. Eric looked up.

Instead of touching the body immediately, Hope used a multi-band light source (ALS) to adjust to a specific wavelength and carefully scanned the bathroom door frame, handles, floor, walls, and sink.

Look for fingerprints, bodily fluids (saliva, semen, etc.), fibers, or detergent residue that are not visible to the naked eye.

"Pay attention to the inside of the door handle and the toilet flush button," he reminded his assistant.

The assistant also began using a laser rangefinder to precisely measure the location of the body, the size of the bathtub, and the extent of the blood splatter, and then simultaneously input the data into the on-site sketching software on the tablet.

Eric watched with great interest. Learning through TV is one thing, but seeing it live is another.

In any case, being there in person is definitely the most direct and immersive experience.

Of course, Hope didn't let him sit idle. After fixing ALS on the tripod and adjusting it to UV mode, she put him in charge.

"Grip firmly with both hands, and aim the beam at the upper left corner of the bathroom door frame!"

Eric obediently followed Hope's instructions, carefully observing the traces revealed during the investigation, his mind constantly racing.

There weren't many traces at the scene, but he managed to depict a scene from these few clues.

A man slowly walked into the bathroom, lay down in the bathtub full of water, and finally used a fruit knife that had fallen to the side to viciously slash his wrist.
Perhaps because the initial assessment pointed to suicide, Hope did not linger in the bathroom and moved directly to other areas.

Because the technicians outside found more traces; bloodstains were found on the sofa, the bed, and in another room.

Of course, this is due to the fluorescence phenomenon observed through the luminol reaction.

Upon reaching the basement, the atmosphere became even more somber, and even the forensic team, accustomed to witnessing gruesome scenes, couldn't help but utter a curse.

Although the scene wasn't particularly brutal, the images that were revealed were shocking enough.

"shit!"

"What on earth did this beast do?"

A chorus of curses rose and fell.

Eric carried the necessary equipment downstairs, allowing him to witness firsthand how these precious police officers swore at each other.

He glanced at Hope, whose face was ashen, and watched him and several technicians quickly setting up a portable negative pressure isolation tent around the freezer, enclosing the freezer entrance. "Is it to control the odor and potential spread of bioaerosols?" The thought flashed through Eric's mind. He didn't linger but chose to leave.

He had completed his task and gained a deeper understanding of the forensic department's investigative approach.

It must be said that this approach to exploration is very intuitive.

It helps people understand the general course of the case.

He deduced more information based on this approach to exploration.

However, these were no longer his tasks, but rather the tasks assigned to the detectives who were following up on the case.

After taking off their protective suits and stepping outside, Will and his team had completed the on-site maintenance deployment and were standing guard in front of the isolation cordon to perform their maintenance duties.

In front of them, a group of onlookers had appeared at some point.

"These 'spectators' are truly everywhere," Eric thought to himself, shaking his head as he walked over.

"How is it?" Will asked, looking over from the side.

“That’s it,” Eric replied, glancing at a car that had appeared at the intersection.

The forensic doctor has arrived.

If the forensic department is responsible for investigating, photographing, analyzing, and collecting physical evidence, providing scientific evidence, and assisting in solving cases.

Forensic pathologists determine the cause of death, manner of death, and time of death through autopsies, clarifying the nature of death, such as homicide, suicide, accident, or natural death.

Eric looked away; if the forensic doctor was here, the detectives wouldn't be far behind.

“They said the male homeowner had been abusive towards the female homeowner,” Will said.

Eric nodded. What's done is done, and he had no interest in hearing about it now.

Anyway, that male homeowner is definitely the one who will go to hell.

-

As Eric noted, shortly after the forensic examiner arrived, a private car also arrived at the scene.

A man and a woman got out of the car, both dressed in plain clothes. Just from that sight, Eric knew that the two were detectives.

Because in a detective's wardrobe, uniforms are for special occasions, while casual clothes are for everyday wear; they don't wear uniform insignia like frontline officers every day.

Coincidentally, he had seen these two detectives before.

"What's your name?"

Eric could see the look of surprise on the faces of the two detectives when they approached and finally spotted him.

-

“It’s him,” Peña reminded Costa.

“I’m not blind,” Costa said helplessly.

“I know, I was just afraid you wouldn’t see it,” Peña said.

"So, he's on the shortlist. Shall we test him out on the spot?"

Costa looked at the outstanding young patrolman, who was still standing guard, and shook his head.

"There's no need for that. It would only make him realize it, and that would inevitably have some consequences."

Peña: "Okay."

(End of this chapter)