Chapter 37 - 37 37 Evidence Collection

Words : 1197 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

37: Chapter 37 Evidence Collection 37: Chapter 37 Evidence Collection Mu Zhiyang also crouched down, closely examining the few fingerprints. The partial fingerprints were mainly from the tips of fingers, with the middle parts not completely pressed, making the total area also seem small. “Has the time been too long?” Mu Zhiyang was somewhat disappointed. A brush costing over two hundred, used for the expensive copper powder, yet it didn’t reveal a complete fingerprint. Jiang Yuan first took out a camera to take as clear photos as possible before standing up, looking directly at the fingerprint patterns captured, and slowly said, “They are partial, but we should be able to gather a dozen or so characteristic points.” Mu Zhiyang, on tiptoes, looked at the fingerprints and said with surprise, “The shape is incomplete, and the ridges are blurry, yet you can still identify a dozen characteristic points?” “You should see the fingerprints I worked on for the arson case the other day.” Jiang Yuan leaned down again to take a few more photos of the fingerprints, then started to photograph the crime scene. Mu Zhiyang slapped his forehead, “You talk about my power of association...sigh, it’s only you. If someone else came, this case really wouldn’t be easy to handle.” The same fingerprints, if retrieved by the county bureau’s crime scene team, would certainly be sneered at by trace examiners. Otherwise, what to do? In such a dog’s state, no matter whether it’s Yan or Xiao Wang, matching would not be possible. Even if the completeness of the fingerprint was slightly higher, both would probably be unwilling to work on it. A complete fingerprint can be matched by anyone with hands, but partial fingerprints, the more incomplete, the more troublesome they become. If they’re as partial as those in an arson case, it’s not just about being troublesome anymore, it would also drain the energy of expert trace examiners... Solving cases in such a brain cell-burning fashion, if it was only about a few stolen electric bikes, the investigating officers would feel embarrassed. Jiang Yuan doing it himself meant far less nonsense, he politely said, “It’s because I only work with fingerprints. If the police station investigates, they should have other methods, right?” “There are methods, but it doesn’t mean the case will be cracked. Thefts of electric bikes are often committed by drifters, staying in one place for a while, moving on once the money runs out or they feel danger, like they’re on a tour.” Mu Zhiyang somehow felt a bit envious. Zhou Ta, who had just finished making the crime scene record, came back and heard the latter part of Mu Zhiyang’s words, agreeing, “Indeed. Some people also know the saying, a rabbit doesn’t eat the grass around its burrow.” “I’ll match the fingerprints as soon as possible.” That’s all Jiang Yuan could do. If delayed too long, even if the fingerprints were matched, the suspect running away would still be an issue—yet another real-world complication. Even knowing where the suspect is, the procedures for handling cases in another jurisdiction, the time and effort involved, as well as the funds being spent—all are troublesome. Imagine two police officers, possibly four, driving to another city maybe a thousand kilometers away, communicating with the local criminal investigation department, asking for assistance in the investigation and apprehension of the suspect. During this process, they would spend a lot of money on fuel, tolls, overtime, and accommodations. In the end, if they brought back a petty thief who stole a few electric bikes and might not even catch the person... Whoever thought about it, their heart would feel heavy, wouldn’t it? Compared to the younger Mu Zhiyang, Zhou Ta had an even harder time understanding Jiang Yuan. However, he was used to working more and talking less. After helping Jiang Yuan tidy everything up, he hurried to the parking area outside the residential complex. Once there, the three of them donned gloves and masks and started to rummage through the drain, trying to find the cigarette butts and trash seen in the video. The three people, with two large bags, quickly stood up satisfied. “With such pollution, probably only the cigarette butts are useful.” Jiang Yuan sighed. There were quite a few cigarette butts in the drain, which he all picked up and then collected into small evidence bags, one by one. This action alone took Jiang Yuan over a quarter of an hour. Mu Zhiyang watched tiredly, took off his gloves, covered his nose, and then disgustedly let go, asking, “All soaked in trash water, can you still test for DNA?” “Shouldn’t be a problem. Cigarette butts can preserve DNA very well,” Jiang Yuan carefully observed the cigarette butts and said, “As long as they don’t grow mold, DNA can be extracted from cigarette butts that are 10 years old.” “That powerful? Why? Is it because it gets soaked in during smoking?” Mu Zhiyang, who followed his master on cases daily, had not paid attention to this before. Jiang Yuan nodded, “One reason is the long duration of smoking, and another is that the structure of the cigarette butt is good, resistant to external erosion. When it’s time for DNA testing, shredding the cotton inside also makes it easier to get results.” “So we always say at the station, committing a crime requires learning, you see, it’s this era, yet there are still people who leave cigarette butts at the crime scene. We also deal with cases like this, foolishly leaving evidence everywhere...” Zhou Ta shook his head with a chuckle. Compared to the old auxiliary officer Zhou Ta, Mu Zhiyang had a clearer view, saying, “They don’t mean to leave evidence; they just don’t have the time to care. Once I followed master on a murder case, where the murderer, running out of the alley after the killing, still holding the blood on his hands, smoked a cigarette and threw the butt directly in front of him. They know, but at that moment, they can’t think of these things. They’re too nervous.” “That makes sense. Thieves are relaxed, quick-witted, and it’s hard to find evidence.” Zhou Ta added. “Thieves have more repetition, high proficiency. Most people who commit murder are done after one or two times, with no opportunity to practice,” Mu Zhiyang began to summarize. “Murder is complicated, the crime scenes are often messy, with bodies... it’s like a large project. Theft is a small project. People who start with large projects are definitely prone to make mistakes,” Zhou Ta likewise summarized some experiences. Jiang Yuan lifted the evidence bags and said, “Let’s head back. I don’t know if we’ll be able to match any DNA.” “Do your best and let destiny do the rest, that’s how it goes,” Zhou Ta, having run around for so long, also hoped for a result. However, compared to success, he was more touched by the experience of failure. Jiang Yuan simply nodded; after all, this was his first time running a complete case.

Chapter 37 - 37 37 Evidence Collection

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