Diary of a Criminal Investigator

In this way, based on Lu Chuan’s data analysis and identification, the physical characteristics of the murderer have basically been determined.

Height is about 1.81 to 1.82 meters, weight between 75 and 80 kilograms, which should be considered on the thinner side. Middle-aged man, approximately 40 years old, with relatively long arms.

DNA information, physical characteristics!

Having these two points, as long as there is a range of suspects, the case will soon be solved.

"Does anyone else have any opinions?"

To obtain such critical information in just over a day, less than two days, Lu Chuan’s side has certainly exceeded their task expectations.

Now, even by using the simplest method—sorting through all relations of the four victims—given enough time, the murderer could be found slowly.

Of course, what the special case team lacks most now is time.

Because no one knows if or when the murderer will strike again.

"Director Li, I have some thoughts and discoveries here."

It was Luo Qiang from the special case team who spoke.

Li Donglin nodded: "Go ahead."

"Iron nail."

Luo Qiang had the tech detectives project the iron nails that had been extracted from the heads of the four bodies onto the screen.

"After killing, the murderer nailed an iron nail into each head of the four bodies."

"This is definitely not a coincidence. Over the past two days, I’ve consulted with local detectives about the situation."

"Nailing an iron nail into the head is a unique custom here in Binhai City, especially popular in the mountainous areas around the USA."

"For those who didn’t die a natural death, iron nails must be nailed into their heads. This is said to prevent wrongful spirits from coming back to life."

"After the murders, the murderer nailed an iron nail into each head, called a Soul Suppressing Nail. I wonder if we could make a bold assumption?"

"The reason for doing this is obviously related to local customs."

"From this, we can infer that the murderer is most likely a local from Binhai City."

"This folklore is only widespread in Binhai City, and the actual burial method is truly practiced only in the mountainous areas of USA."

"I wonder if we can focus our search more towards USA."

"Also, could we investigate if there are any connections between the four victims and USA?"

"Additionally, soul suppressing nails cannot be used arbitrarily."

"These cannot be bought just anywhere; they must be sanctified at a temple. I wonder if we could follow this lead and investigate."

"These are just my thoughts, or rather, assumptions."

This issue...

Li Donglin found this to be feasible and looked at Gao Xiang: "Did you investigate this during the initial stages?"

"We also considered this possibility at the time and traced the source of the nails."

"However, these Soul Suppressing Nails are still relatively available through temples."

"These sanctified nails can be used not only as Soul Suppressing Nails but also for feng shui and auspicious purposes, such as in construction by superstitious families."

"However, Captain Luo made a valid point: though this superstition is prevalent in Binhai City, it is most prominent in USA."

Gao Xiang and his team conducted a very detailed investigation into the source of the nails.

They even dispatched officers to visit all the temples and local stores selling such nails.

But, at the time, they didn’t know the physical characteristics of the suspect, so the investigation method did not yield effective results.

However, now, it should be more effective.

Previously, during sorting, they could only ask about suspicious individuals.

Now they can be more specific, and the murderer’s height of 1.81 to 1.82 meters, with a lean build, may yield some clues.

"Alright, in that case, we will divide into four teams!"

With clues and direction, resources must be allocated.

"First, Luo Qiang, lead a team to scrutinize every temple in Binhai City based on the suspect’s physical characteristics identified by Lu Chuan’s team, to see if there are any clues."

"Second, Gao Xiang, take a team to focus on investigating in the USA, mainly to see if there’s any relation between the four victims and USA."

"Third, Wang Song, lead the team in thoroughly combing and investigating the social connections of the four victims, identifying anyone matching the suspect’s physical characteristics."

"Song Mingguang, continue following up on individuals released within the past year, focusing on those with USA origin to find any information matching the suspect’s characteristics!"

The meeting concluded quickly, and everyone went their separate ways.

Lu Chuan also finally had a moment to catch his breath.

Now it’s just a matter of waiting for the Provincial Technical Identification Center to send over the trace evidence analysis results from the other three scenes tomorrow.

Then, by comparing with the trace evidence analysis result from the fourth scene,

it can be determined whether the third DNA profile found in victim Zhao Kai’s house belongs to the murderer.

Although there are no very definite clues about the case at this stage, Lu Chuan’s two discoveries are of tremendous significance for the successful solving of the case.

Because in many cases, the real murderer is long included in the range of suspects.

But without conclusive evidence to pinpoint the suspect, the case can only progress to this point.

The concept of "innocent until proven guilty" is applicable here; one can’t determine guilt based purely on suspicion, but must have solid evidence.

Physical characteristics and DNA information would be concrete evidence.

This gives the investigating teams a considerable relief in their initial probe.

As long as a suspicious suspect is identified, obtaining a blood sample for DNA testing suffices.

This approach allows ample time for the initial investigation teams, enabling a broader net, larger catches, and expanded search and exploration scope.

If absolutely necessary, Li Donglin could even request DNA testing of all contacts related to the four victims.

Furthermore, if there’s even a slight possibility that the suspect is from USA, conducting county-wide DNA testing is not impossible.

Qingquan Temple.

"Master, has anyone around 1.80 meters tall, thin, about 40 years old, purchased Soul Suppressing Nails from you?"

The monk selling sanctified items shook his head: "I have no impression. Too many people come to buy things daily, hard to remember."

In fact, there aren’t many temples in Binzhou City. None in urban areas, only three in the suburbs.

Each county likely has one or two.

So the investigation isn’t too troublesome.

However, these temples are well-attended and incense offerings attract many buyers.

Although the murderer’s build is distinctive, being tall and thin, making him memorable, it complicates the investigation.

At the same time, Song Mingguang directly linked up with the prison management bureau.

They compiled a list of all individuals released in the past year.

"Captain Song, there are a total of 182 people!"