Chapter 910: Directional Clues

This plum tree was noticed by everyone who visited the scene.

However, no one expected that the suspect would leave traces on this tree.

Of course, it’s still impossible to determine whether this blood stain was left by the suspect, but after checking all the criminal police who passed the crime scene, we’ll know. As long as there’s no damaged skin on anyone, it’s not from those on duty.

"Did you conduct a DNA test?"

Lu Chuan nodded: "We only did a blood type analysis so far; the DNA test results will be available tomorrow morning."

The items were only brought back last night, so the results aren’t out yet.

Moreover, it’s blood on a leaf, and the blood content is very minimal.

Lu Chuan personally performed the test on the blood stains on the leaf’s edge.

Even the blood type analysis took quite some time.

The extraction work is still ongoing.

"Can it be extracted?"

Li Donglin, who is skilled in technical criminal investigation, clearly understands and recognizes the analysis of trace evidence.

Not all trace evidence allows for accurate and complete data analysis.

Since trace evidence is minimal, even with advanced instruments, the desired results aren’t always attainable.

Lu Chuan isn’t able to assure success: "The technical team is working on this blood spot, but it’s still uncertain if DNA can be verified."

"We should know by tomorrow morning."

Li Donglin nodded: "Alright, continue."

Lu Chuan continued reporting.

"From the processing of the crime scene, the suspect was very cautious and meticulously erased almost all traces."

Chenzhou City Criminal Investigation Team felt this deeply, as they gathered nothing valuable during their investigation on scene.

No indicative clues were discovered.

Lu Chuan flipped through the PPT, displaying a photo taken beside the stove.

"These photos were taken yesterday when I went to the crime scene with Tianzhou City Criminal Investigation Team CSI Office Director Zhao Zhigao."

Zhao Zhigao understood that Lu Chuan intended to explain judgments regarding the suspect’s height.

"After killing Wang Jingya, the suspect steamed and cooked her in a pot. The suspect was likely seated on the stool, adding firewood to the stove."

"Here comes the issue of whether it was comfortable for the suspect to add firewood."

Lu Chuan reiterated the explanation given to Zhao Zhigao and did some calculations on the whiteboard.

"Based on the distance between the stove, stool, and firewood pile on scene, the suspect’s height can be estimated to be between 1.6 to 1.7 meters."

Most people present agreed with Lu Chuan’s estimation, especially those experienced in rural lifestyles.

Since the cooking of the body couldn’t be completed within a short period, it must have taken half an hour to an hour, or even longer.

"From the forensic investigation of the site and assessing the degree to which the body was cooked, the suspect burned a large amount of firewood at the location, likely over two to three hours or even longer."

Part of the corpse was cooked to the extent of separating from bone, which indeed couldn’t happen quickly.

Wang Jingya went missing around 9 p.m. the previous night, and was found the next evening.

It’s highly possible the suspect moved her to West Family Valley Village, processing the body for a prolonged duration.

"Adding firewood is linked to personal habits, but over extended time, I personally think the suspect would choose a theoretically more comfortable posture."

Lu Chuan then shared some of his discoveries.

"In addition, I personally believe the suspect has rural living experience."

Flipping the PPT showed another photo.

"This shows the west-side annex room piled with firewood, where I’ve conducted a thorough investigation and found fibers similar to those on the plum tree."

"Moreover, inside, the firewood shows obvious signs of being moved."

"This implies the killer took firewood from this annex. Without general living experience, locating or handling firewood can be challenging."

"Hence, in investigating suspect details, I suggest considering this aspect."

After finishing, Lu Chuan introduced his most significant find.

Switching the projector displayed a severely damaged fingerprint.

"Fingerprint?"

Despite its severe damage, making it hard to recognize its original form, the attendees are police. They instantly identified it.

Li Donglin was also shocked.

After entering the scene and examining the body yesterday, Lu Chuan has been busy, leaving him no chance to report this discovered clue—finding a fingerprint onsite!

"Did you find it on the scene?"

Lu Chuan nodded.

"This damaged fingerprint was discovered on a piece of firewood left in the pile."

Lu Chuan enlarged the fingerprint: "While adding firewood, the suspect surely contacted these pieces, although most were thrown into the stove pit to burn. But with the mixed pile, it wouldn’t all go in at once, necessitating separation."

Again, the projection showed a photo of a twig: "The fingerprint was found on this twig."

"Since the twig’s shape is irregular, the collected fingerprint is severely damaged, and I isolated just one characteristic point."

"After returning last night and processing the fingerprint for identification, I performed a system comparison but couldn’t find a match after checking hundreds."

"However," Lu Chuan added, "We know each fingerprint is unique, and every characteristic point holds specificity."

"Though system matching didn’t yield a suspect, if suspicions arise during investigations, collect fingerprints for manual comparison."

"If it’s the suspect’s fingerprint, the suspect can’t escape."

Lu Chuan’s words enlivened everyone’s spirits.