Chapter 253: The Great Difficulty Case

Jiang Yuan left work early again and went home.

Ningtai County had recently produced no corpses, no homicides, not even any unnatural deaths. The several districts within the city that had previously seen crimes now seemed calm, with even electric bike thefts becoming rare.

For a forensic doctor from another county, with no corpses, they would naturally be reassigned to other clerical duties; if the Criminal Investigation Division had insufficient needs, they would be reassigned to other detectives.

Jiang Yuan had this experience and understanding; Huang Qiang and others made no such demands, and everything felt natural.

Back home, he saw the WeChat group flooded with messages.

The "Qinghe Technical Sharing Group" even had a red dot @ing him.

Daily Slump: 【@Shuigong. Thanks to Jiang Yuan for completing the critical fingerprint comparison. Thanks to all departments for their cooperation and efforts. The 1120 Maixin Factory High-Fall Case is solved—the perpetrator has been apprehended!】

Trace Evidence Li Rui: 【@Daily Slump, Amazing, solved in a flash!】

Forensic Wang: 【@Daily Slump, Congratulations, Jiang Yuan, another great achievement.】

South-North Campaign: 【@Daily Slump, Jiang Yuan's good—fast shooter.】

Several exchanged knowing smiles.

Zhen Jun asked: "What exactly happened?"

But provincial-level status is still provincial-level status.

But even if not, criminal investigation experts are still usable. And scarce resources are not hard to secure—often requiring coordination from bureau directors or even lower-level officials.

Wei Zhenguo and the Criminal Investigation Division agreed; Wei Zhenguo even obediently said: "Master, don't worry—our car shakes violently above 90 km/h, and the chassis is rigid—it's dangerous."

Wan Baoming said: "It's said that cold autopsy tables don't aid thinking or dissipate heat. Noble vampires sleep on the floor not because the floor is cooler, but because it doesn't raise brain temperature. Nobles need to review documents—essentially medieval mental laborers. Autopsy tables, being made of stainless steel, retain moisture even worse."

Huang Qiang naturally provided Zhen Jun with protection. After all, it was a criminal case; no matter how good Wan Baoming's claims were, someone still needed to guard Zhong, and Zhen Jun was anxious.

LV4 Qingdao single-fingerprint analysis + LV3 Chongqing single-fingerprint analysis + LV5 image enhancement was already super strong, but lacked LV5 bloodstain analysis + LV3 footprints + LV3 forensic clinical science.

And we extracted the fingerprints; Wang Zhong couldn't even guarantee he could replicate them.

Wan Baoming waited outside the Municipal Center for Criminal Scientific Technology.

Wang Zhong: 【@Wan Baoming, you're curious, right? You're not from Qinghe, and you don't work in Qinghe—why did you leave the Qinghe Technical Sharing Group?】

Think about it—Wan Baoming's work state really did look like he was thriving. In terms of position, he became Deputy Director of the Changyang City Criminal Technology Center—high rank, good conditions. In terms of actual operations, he made Mu Zhiyang talk, making it seem like Mu gained an advantage, but in truth, he achieved his own goal.

"Check whether they have similar cases—scenes with large amounts of bloodstains, blood footprints, and thoroughly photographed crime scenes," Wang Zhong briefly described.

Wan Baoming saw both men relax, smiled, and asked: "Wang Zhong, will you handle the fingerprints?"

Shortly after, the Criminal Investigation Division, Zhen Jun Shan, and Zhen Jun Shan drove the team's real vehicle—a 15-year-old Tana Travel Edition—with the trunk packed with police gear and multiple investigation kits.

But in Changyang City, there were always some self-styled eccentrics—other eccentrics were just the same kind of freaks.

For a single fingerprint, if it's on the weapon, its evidentiary power is top-tier, essentially locking the suspect. But if it's only on the suspect's vehicle, its power drops to secondary; if it's at a crime scene like a coffee shop—a public space—so many fingerprints are left behind that external conditions must judge which one belongs to the suspect.

The two vehicles met at the city exit's low-speed entrance; Huang Qiang immediately transferred to the Mercedes G-Class and instructed his apprentice Zhen Shan and two young officers from the Criminal Investigation Division (dangerous driving).

In other words, if doing fingerprints, Changyang City's police force could form a team, bring in experts, and match Zhen Jun's strength. Abnormal (Chapter incomplete!)

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It might be slightly off, but in homicide cases, it won't be too many.

As for that slight expense that seemed like Zhen Jun Shan gained, compared to a homicide case, what does it matter?

They've solved many major cases, perhaps some unsolved, perhaps without resource investment—but in their eyes, those cases were all "you just need to be careful to get full marks."

Trace Evidence Li Rui: 【@South-North Campaign, that term is ambiguous.】

"You'll be more confident," Wang Zhong said, walking toward the computer.

But in Changyang City, there were at most LV3 fingerprint experts, and Zhen Jun had seen them all during fingerprint competitions.

Equivalent to: fingerprint + image enhancement strong, Zhen is 800 points; Changyang City's police force forms a top team, maybe 700 or 750 points, even possibly reaching 800.

Solving homicides isn't fighting your own team, but solving cold cases means at least being stronger than your own team to matter.

Wang Zhong came with one mission only: solve homicides.

But some criminal cases carry very high probability, certain safety risks—safety might come from a venomous snake in the water, or from an unexpected threat on shore. The most terrifying is stepping onto the wrong surface, walking from a pond into the ocean.

First, fingerprints are circumstantial evidence—they can only prove the suspect was present, not that they participated in the crime.

Zhen Jun asked: "Any other cases?"

But fingerprint limitations are also obvious.

Wan Baoming looked at Zhen Jun and Huang Qiang's serious expressions and said: "Footprints were collected at the scene, large amounts of bloodstains, and half a footprint—but due to bystanders gathering, the scene's traces were chaotic. What about this case?"

Wang Zhong felt his blood run cold: "Did Director Li say that? Your forensic reputation is about to..."

Wang Zhong felt the key was in the word "chaotic."

Wan Baoming, taking over Zhen Jun's group, blinked and said: "The white shirt feeling is the same, right?"

Most criminal cases are solved through intense efforts, like fishing from a large pond. Specialized methods can fish with a line, aggressive ones can electrocute fish, insufficient manpower can't fish, and sometimes you even let water flow to pick up fish—it sounds like it needs brains, but even more needs labor.

"Captain Yu still trusts Zhong. If they need anything, they can find you or go straight to Captain Yu," Wan Baoming said, then added: "Captain Yu has a meeting he can't skip. Yeah, he really has a meeting."

Jiang Yuan scrolled to the bottom, ready to reply to Daily Slump—the fellow who came today, Wan Baoming.

"Let's solve a case," Huang Qiang said, no longer listening.

Daily Slump: 【@Wan Baoming, Haha, if you can pull it off, it's not bad at all—looking forward to future cooperation.】

So, anticipating attention, Wang Zhong didn't hold back and had no need to be cautious.

Or perhaps he already had very high-pressure cases, just didn't mention them.

The air conditioner's hum suddenly grew louder; the cool breeze made Huang Qiang shiver involuntarily, revealing a blissful smile.

If anything, cases involving bloodstain analysis + footprints were rarer—otherwise, such high-level experts wouldn't have been lost to time.

The next day.

Wan Baoming smiled, walked over, powered on the machine, and said directly: "Case 513: Door-stabbing murder. Let's start with this one?"

Everyone had seen Mu Zhiyang; some even studied his smile—was it truly a pure smile?

But now, these two skills aren't extinct—they're just becoming rarer. Even if masters teach apprentices, without sufficient material, they can't be revived.

Daily Slump: 【@Huang Team is actually quite simple—once you work with him long enough, you'll know. His standards are low, but everything he asks for has its reason...】

"Speed over 70, don't roll down the windows—the wind at low speed will crack your face, and the noise is loud. If you really want fresh air, just crack a small gap—open the left front window a little, okay?" Huang Qiang shared his experience, then sat down. (Chapter incomplete!)

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G's front passenger seat, set temperature to 20 degrees.

Daily Slump: 【@Lanzhou Beef Noodle Shop outside has neither Lanzhou people nor beef, yet it's thriving.】

Zhen Jun paused thoughtfully.

Zhen Jun blinked: "Director Li really likes that?"

For a young person his age, sleeping past 1 a. . is a full-on insult.

"Direct violent crimes aren't common now," Wan Baoming said first, then asked: "Forensic Jiang—"

What type of case do you have the most experience with?

Wan Baoming spent a lot to bring him to Yang City to solve cases—if he were too conspicuous, how would these expenses be justified? How would he convince colleagues and superiors?

These two skills, even 20 years from now, would still be prestigious disciplines—classic techniques of the older generation of criminal investigators.

Cases you can name directly aren't worth mentioning—they're major, difficult, or complex cases.

Fingerprints can be done, but as a grand opening, Wang Zhong must show his strongest ability.

"First, look at the crime scene photos," Wang Zhong moved aside, letting Baoming access the intranet. "Good." Baoming—

laughed: "I thought you were like your director, needing to nap on the autopsy table every so often."

"I've done it before. And I'm also forensic-trained," Wan Baoming, himself trace evidence, glanced at Zhen Jun and smiled: "Those who do forensics are all ruthless."

Under such conditions, Changyang City's fingerprint difficulty was already high, and the fingerprints they submitted to the provincial bureau for expert consultation were all carefully selected—extremely high evidentiary value.

In image analysis, their minimum strength might be only LV2, but for fingerprints, the core skill remains fingerprint analysis; LV5 image enhancement is merely auxiliary.

"That's understandable."

Because fingerprints and image analysis are prestigious disciplines, bloodstain analysis + footprints are exactly the opposite.

Several detectives came over, standing behind Wan Baoming, observing Wang Zhong and Huang Qiang as they entered.

"No, that's what everyone says about Director Li—now it's not allowed to say that," Wan Baoming said solemnly: "Director Li specifically emphasized this during a meeting."

Mu had been a detective for decades and had rarely encountered real danger.

A few casual chats brought everyone closer.

South-North Campaign: 【@Daily Slump, within seven days, fast; beyond seven days, even faster and accurate!】

I sent two young officers from the Criminal Investigation Division and Zhen Jun Shan to serve as Wang Zhong's assistants. Of course, I didn't say it so bluntly—I only told Huang Qiang.

As soon as he said that, the group heated up.

"Is there a cooperating police team?" Huang Qiang asked.

Wan Baoming finding external help within his own level—isn't that also a skill?

"Bring two cots. If none, the autopsy table will do," Wang Zhong said: "As long as it's in the office—"

"Resting shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Wan Baoming led the two into a large office, where two computers sat, along with a file cabinet, an evidence cabinet with a heavy lock.

At that moment, Forensic Wang Lan spoke again: 【@Daily Slump, what did Huang Team say? Shouldn't he be good at speaking?】

But if it were bloodstain analysis + footprints, scenes they couldn't handle would be a breeze for Wang Zhong.

Center Director Li Zhiyuan wore casual attire, a clean white shirt, formally, and shook hands with Wang Zhong and Huang Qiang before saying: "If you need anything, ask Old Wan. If you really need something, ask me too—no problem. Hahaha..."

At that moment, Wang Zhong replied: 【@Daily Slump, too polite—it's what I should do.】

Daily Slump: 【@Honestly, Team Leader is pretty awesome, cooperative too—we're ready to work with you step by step.】

Forensic Wang: 【@Huang Team? Awesome?】

Wang Zhong had actually considered what type of case to take.

The group chatted and laughed merrily.

(End of chapter not yet!)

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DNA and such is actually not much different—why do police hate searching for semen so much? Why did that forensic officer back then become so familiar with the properties of toilet paper? Not because abnormal people scatter semen everywhere; even if found, its evidentiary value is extremely weak.

Changyang City.

"What kind of case does he want?" Wan Baoming asked with a smile.

Wang Zhong, across the screen, analyzed Baoming and raised his guard.

Even if I solve a hundred theft cases—even if the thefts are low-difficulty—they still won't catch the attention of the Changyang City Criminal Investigation Team.

"Let me introduce briefly," Baoming said: "On May 13, eight years ago, the victim was a lone elderly man from a local township."

At the time, no one came to read the electricity meter; the old man opened the door, and right behind it, without any struggle, someone stabbed him once in the chest. He died silently. When his neighbor discovered the body, he had been dead for over an hour.

But under the bloodstain analysis + footprint + forensic clinical pathway, Wang Zhong still scored 800. The Changyang City Criminal Investigation Team scoured the entire province, assembled their strongest team, and barely reached 400, at most 500.

Switch to bloodstain analysis + footprint.

Someone praised me, but no one else agreed.

Zhen Jun is now sitting in the Changyang City Zhen Jun Center office, scanning our fingerprints—there's a small chance they'll pick up some low-evidentiary-value fingerprints—special case.

But one thing at a time: he's spent his entire career working outside county towns; he has no clear idea how things are in the provincial capital. Moreover, cases invited for participation are inherently complex—Zhen Jun is understandably worried about sending the elderly Wang Zhong into such a situation.

The former could also be raised with Changyang City, but Mu Zhiyang felt it was necessary—and it would be undignified.

"Of course not. But your autopsy table is few, and the dissecting table is also lacking—if your forensic officers have any unusual habits..."

Ou Guisheng, one of the Four Tigers of Criminal Investigation, completed two hundred cases a year, personally solved a hundred, and averaged one first-class merit and two seventh-class merits annually.

Fingerprints certainly have considerable advantages; his fingerprint skills are also strong enough—the high-rise fall case solved just two days ago proves it.

"That case is too hard!" Huang Qiang exclaimed, fearing Wang Zhong might impulsively accept.

Fundamentally, Wan Baoming is no one to be taken advantage of; thus, his eagerness to reach an agreement with Mu Zhiyang suggests the case he presents tomorrow won't be easy.

Back then, criminal investigation experts weren't rare. Cops bearing the title of Ministry-level criminal investigation expert traveled 250 days a year, solving cases across the country.

Wang Zhong drove his own Mercedes G-Class straight to Changyang City.

"No authority," Zhen Jun spoke frankly. Even the director of the Ningtai County Bureau wore blue shirts; special investigators rarely saw a white shirt all year.

Second, the location and method of fingerprint extraction may be non-standard, casting doubt on the evidentiary value of the prints.

Wang Zhong asked: "Does Director Li handle technical work?"

Li Zhiyuan added one sentence, then left under the excuse of "a meeting is about to start." The other officers glanced at Zhen Jun and dispersed.

Aside from factors like fingerprint databases, the evidentiary value of fingerprints is also an issue.

Wan Baoming glanced again at Huang Qiang and smiled: "Provincial capitals are smaller, and the situations are simpler. I won't go into details—we just solve the case, right? Don't you agree?"

Otherwise, if everyone is truly that poor, and the current cases haven't been solved, on what grounds can he solve cold cases?

"See what else is needed, and have someone bring it over," Wan Baoming said.

Of course, within the Ning County Bureau, fingerprint analysis or footprint analysis made no difference. In the past, the old comrade Yan, Ningtai County's top trace evidence examiner, had a fingerprint skill level of only 0. at best.

Changyang City's Jiangyuan Center is highly specialized; their resources are limited, they rarely collaborate with provincial experts, and unsolved cold cases likely already passed through the provincial bureau once.

But if it's not a homicide, my presence means nothing.

Wang Zhong wasn't worried about those things, but he had already eaten dinner with his father, played with his computer and phone for a while, and went to bed before eleven.

See (End of chapter not yet!)

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