Chapter 137 - 137 133 Reconstructing the Scene_2

Words : 1531 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

137: Chapter 133 Reconstructing the Scene_2 137: Chapter 133 Reconstructing the Scene_2 Bloodstain pattern analysis is equivalent to reconstructing the crime scene. And by reconstructing the crime scene, one can “see” the route the murderer took within the scavenger’s yard, as well as most of their actions. As a result, objects that were closer to the murderer are more likely to be contaminated with the murderer’s DNA. The expressions of several technicians changed from numb to a bit excited and then numb again. “This is not the same as the task assigned to us by our superiors.” A crime scene technician named Hou Xiaoyong was the first to speak. Jiang Yuan replied unhurriedly, “The task given to you by the criminal police team couldn’t possibly be to swab DNA in a certain order, could it? Conducting a crime scene investigation, there are always priorities. Isn’t this part of the responsibilities of crime scene technicians?” The technicians all lacked confidence and had not expected this young forensic doctor from the neighboring county to be so assertive. One of the older technicians, Li, couldn’t help but stand up, took the chance to stretch his back, twisted around, and said, “Xiao Jiang, what if we miss or contaminate DNA following your method? Who would be responsible?” The young technicians from Longli County felt somewhat embarrassed and looked down. Their technical skills were lacking, due to both their inadequate expertise and their overly strong ability to pass the buck. Now, they were even considering passing the buck to a forensic doctor from another county who was here to help them, which embarrassed the young technicians even more, especially since they had just enjoyed the food Jiang Yuan had brought and smoked his fine cigarettes. “With the current environment, which DNA hasn’t been contaminated?” Jiang Yuan said with a sneer. Two of the technicians laughed inappropriately. Indeed, with this crime scene, talking about contamination was moot. The items brought in by the scavengers were covered with unknown DNA. So many people... Tall and young, Jiang Yuan stood out among the group. He said clearly, “In this environment, bloodstains are the most reliable proof of identity. It’s all a gamble anyway. If I had to choose, I would bet that the murderer’s DNA is in the bloodstains first. Second, betting on bloodstain pattern analysis is better than betting on the condition of the whole scene.” The other technicians looked at each other hesitantly, not wanting to swab DNA aimlessly to no avail, only to be scolded in the end. “Moreover, focusing on bloodstains first is also to preserve the most crucial evidence as soon as possible. Anyone making such a decision during a scene investigation is absolutely correct, and no one could fault it upon review. Or perhaps, you could make a phone call to confirm?” Although young, Jiang Yuan was not naive; he was there to help, not to take the blame, so he kicked the ball back. The technicians were inclined to agree with Jiang Yuan. Having direction was surely better than just mindlessly working hard. The technicians exchanged looks. The young crime scene technician Hou Xiaoyong spoke up again, “Doctor Jiang, can you reconstruct the crime scene?” “Yes.” Jiang Yuan’s reply was short and forceful. “Reconstructing the crime scene is no simple task...” Hou Xiaoyong couldn’t help but mutter. Among them, it was Hou Xiaoyong, the crime scene technician, who was closest to bloodstain pattern analysis. But he only knew the basics, far from being able to reconstruct a crime scene. The kind of expertise seen on TV, analyzing a scene at a glance... is very rare in reality and sometimes nonsensical. The job of reconstructing a crime scene is not only a matter of ability; it involves issues of face and image, even status. In real-life crime solving, reconstructing the crime scene—recreating the scenario of the murder or the attacker assaulting the victim—though cool, requires a meticulous step-by-step reconstruction process, followed by a detailed report that forms a several thousand-word document. Then, they might face a critical blow from the culprit. “You got it wrong, I didn’t do it like that at the time!” If any crime scene technician received such feedback from a murderer, their emotional state would definitely crumble. The laughter from the team... they wouldn’t even have to imagine it. Thus, inadequately skilled crime scene technicians, even if they know a little about reconstructing crime scenes, dare not perform the task. Once done, should they pray that the murderer is caught, or hope that the murderer is killed on the spot? Only a very few can smoothly get through the professional awkward phase of reconstructing crime scenes. And by the time they are known to others, they are usually already experts. Hou Xiaoyong suspected that Jiang Yuan was not aware of the numerous issues he would face when reconstructing the crime scene. After all, Jiang Yuan was even younger than him. But on second thought, it’s only if the reconstruction failed, if it was wrong, that those problems would arise. And if the reconstruction succeeded, the so-called problems would no longer be problems. Given Doctor Jiang’s expertise in fingerprint analysis, Hou Xiaoyong did not dare to speak carelessly. All the technicians present knew that Longli County had managed to borrow Jiang Yuan only because he was young, using the pretext of needing a forensic doctor. Once they had borrowed him, they hadn’t even shown him the body before bringing him to the crime scene. What the county truly wanted to borrow was Jiang Yuan’s fingerprinting skills. With this thought, Hou Xiaoyong said, “Doctor Jiang, if you say you need to alter the order of evidence collection to gather fingerprints or something, I think the higher-ups might be more inclined to agree.” He was essentially hinting to Jiang Yuan how to apply for permission. Jiang Yuan acted as if he didn’t understand, and at this point, the same line could be used again — he wasn’t from Longli after all. How could he go to the leaders for approval without proper standing or convincing rationale? “You guys could consult the leaders, or we just get to work,” Jiang Yuan felt either way was fine. As he said, leaders usually demand the technicians to search for clues, fingerprints, and DNA at the scene. There are few who would be meticulous enough to arrange the order of the scene investigation. But they would need to understand that, too. “How long do you need?” Hou Xiaoyong asked. “Till morning. Six hours should be enough,” Jiang Yuan checked his watch (a simple and unadorned Nautilus) which effectively set the time to around 8 o’clock in the morning. Hou Xiaoyong glanced at it and inexplicably felt a sense of affinity. Nowadays, young people who still wore watches tended to be viewed as mature and dependable. “I’ll call Captain Zheng from the Major Case Squad. If he wants to report it to the Battalion Commander, let him do it.” Hou Xiaoyong didn’t want to call Battalion Commander Hou Lejia at two in the morning for this matter. Even though they were related, it wasn’t necessary to disturb his sleep. Soon, Hou Xiaoyong finished his call and returned. A few people stood waiting. “Captain Zheng has no objections, let’s do it,” Hou Xiaoyong said. “Let’s aim to wrap this up within five hours to leave some time for organizing,” Li, the most senior technician, suggested a slight alteration. “Okay,” Jiang Yuan agreed at once. “What do you need us to do?” Li, the senior technician, was actually deferring to Jiang Yuan out of respect for his reputation as a fingerprint expert, humbling himself to ask for instructions. Any person, no matter by what means, who can solve ten murder cold cases, is an impressive figure in the detective force. After all, military exploits are earned through combat. And in the police force, solving cases is the greatest accomplishment. “Start from the entrance,” Jiang Yuan decisively said. He promptly returned to the entrance. Starting from the beginning, he walked and narrated step by step: “The murderer followed the victim inside, bringing a weapon and closing the door behind him...” “Why?” Hou Xiaoyong asked after only the first step, sounding like an earnest student with a question. Donning his gloves, Jiang Yuan gently closed the door and explained: “Because there are bloodstains on the back of the door. If the door hadn’t been closed, blood should have been found on the outside of it. Of course, this is a bloodstain made later.” Hou Xiaoyong exclaimed, “Ah!” and then, realizing, uttered, “Oh!” With such an explanation, it became clear to him, although he had not thought about it beforehand. The others also nodded in sudden comprehension. “Later, microscopic evidence can be collected here, which will help in analyzing the type of weapon. However, let’s still follow the murderer’s actions for now...” Jiang Yuan continued, gesturing forward, “The murderer knocked the elder down to the ground, then swung the weapon to strike...”

Chapter 137 - 137 133 Reconstructing the Scene_2

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