Chapter 35: The Forensic Expert of Haizhou

Like Liu Guodong, Wang Changjiang never missed an important meeting in the detachment, but his presence wasn't particularly high.

Or rather, it was quite low...

"Ahem!"

Although Forensic Examiner Wang knew his status was mediocre, as a senior forensic expert in the detachment, he still maintained his professional attitude.

He gave two dry coughs to clear his throat.

"Due to the insufficient amount of bone fragments, it is impossible to reconstruct a complete corpse. However, before the meeting started, I had already submitted an application to request an osteological identification and analysis report from the provincial experts."

"This... Captain Qin, you might need to follow up on this later. If you speak to them, it will carry more weight and the process might move faster."

Qin Yong frowned slightly. It was another matter of asking for favors.

But there was no other way; it was just the luck of the draw that the detachment had run into this issue.

Speaking of which, it seemed the crime scene investigation office had assigned him fewer tasks involving asking for favors lately.

In fact, they had even earned quite a bit of merit.

Qin Yong couldn't help but think of the newcomer, Lu Chuan. If this guy were a forensic examiner, they might not have to ask for favors this time.

*Sigh...*

Qin Yong let out a sigh; being a leader wasn't easy.

All the matters involving communication and coordination with higher-ups fell squarely on his shoulders.

The key problem was that while he had some face at the Municipal Bureau, at the Provincial Department...

He was truly powerless.

Sometimes when he went on business trips, he couldn't even manage to invite people out for a meal.

In this regard, the Provincial Criminal Investigation Detachment had the advantage.

Setting aside meals, as local "native snakes," they could help with many things.

Helping the elderly with medical issues or children with schooling—they could assist with all of it.

"Alright, you guys focus on doing the technical work well and ensure there are no errors in the submitted materials. I'll head to the Municipal Bureau in a bit to report to Deputy Director Wang."

Wang Kai, the Deputy Director of the Haizhou Municipal Public Security Bureau, was the highest-ranking leader to have emerged from the crime scene investigation office.

Before his promotion, he had also been the captain of the Criminal Investigation Detachment, and Qin Yong had taken over his position.

However, for matters like this, one couldn't simply rely on private connections; one had to apply step-by-step through the formal process.

Wang Changjiang did not mention Lu Chuan's involvement in the osteological analysis, as this was a formal meeting.

If Lu Chuan achieved something remarkable, it would be fine; but if there were no results, mentioning him would only reflect poorly on him.

Besides, even if he did achieve something, it would still require review by the Provincial Department.

The meeting ended quickly, and everyone became busy.

Having not slept all night, Qin Yong returned to his office to wash his face, shave, and head straight to the Municipal Bureau.

"Report!"

"Come in."

When Wang Kai looked up and saw it was Qin Yong from the Criminal Investigation Detachment, he put down his pen. "Old Qin?"

"Why are you still reporting? Sit down quickly."

"The Criminal Investigation Detachment has been doing quite well lately. Old Song even praised you all during this morning's briefing."

Hearing this, Qin Yong's irritable mood improved significantly.

This was the art of leadership—the ability to manipulate a subordinate's emotions at any time.

"Yes, the recent cases have indeed been handled quite smoothly."

Qin Yong nodded and took the teacup handed to him by Wang Kai. "Old leader, as you know, these recent cases are largely thanks to the newcomer, little Lu—Lu Chuan from the crime scene investigation office. He has earned a lot of merit."

In the field of criminal investigation, tradition and lineage mattered everywhere.

Since Wang Kai was a leader who had come from the crime scene investigation office, he would naturally feel a sense of affinity toward Lu Chuan.

Moreover, Qin Yong knew about the dinner the crime scene investigation office had held previously.

He also knew that Wang Kai held high expectations for Lu Chuan. Mentioning Lu Chuan now would be beneficial for his future development.

Furthermore, letting Wang Kai know that Qin Yong himself was very satisfied with Lu Chuan would provide more confidence when asking for favors later.

Sure enough, when Lu Chuan was mentioned, Wang Kai's expression changed noticeably. "This little Lu is quite good. He hasn't been on the force long, yet he has achieved merit in two major cases consecutively."

Qin Yong knew that Wang Kai was referring to the cases of the wanted criminals Wang Dahu and Zhang Wen.

"It hasn't been easy. Little Lu also has a Third-Class Merit to his name. To have such achievements only two or three months after joining the force... that's quite rare even nationwide."

Qin Yong continued to echo him. "The case at the outlet pedestrian street and the theft at Director Song's father-in-law's house were also handled entirely by little Lu."

As the two chatted, Wang Kai's mood became increasingly pleasant.

"Old Qin, out with it. Did you come here for a reason?"

"You were busy with that bone soup case at the hotpot restaurant last night, and yet you've rushed to my office first thing this morning. Is there something you need my help with?"

The two had worked together in the Criminal Investigation Detachment and knew each other well.

If Qin Yong was coming to the Municipal Bureau to chat in his office while a case was active, it would be a miracle if he didn't have something to say.

Qin Yong rubbed his hands together. "Hehe, old leader, I came here because of last night's case."

"I've read the case brief. You did well; the information hasn't leaked. Otherwise, if panic sets in, it would be another headache."

Cases involving skeletal remains were different from murder cases.

Just like missing persons cases, a person being missing doesn't necessarily mean they are dead.

And having skeletal remains doesn't necessarily mean a homicide occurred.

It could be that someone's grave was desecrated; anything was possible.

Therefore, according to protocol, these types of cases are first reported as such, and only once a homicide is confirmed are they handled according to the severity of the crime.

The reason the Criminal Investigation Detachment was taking this case so seriously was that it occurred in a public place—a hotpot restaurant.

If handled poorly, the impact would be too great.

"We are still following up on the specific details, but there hasn't been any substantial progress yet. The detachment is temporarily treating it as a homicide case."

"However, the final conclusion will depend on the osteological identification and analysis. You know the situation in our unit; for skeletal identification... we still need to request experts from the Provincial Department."

Wang Kai nodded. "I'll coordinate that. I happened to have dinner with Zhang Yuanchao, a forensic expert from the Provincial Department, just last week."

"If you were talking about fingerprint analysis, my influence might not be enough, but for osteological identification and analysis, the Provincial Department shouldn't be too busy."

As he spoke, Wang Kai took out his phone on the spot. "I'll call Expert Zhang right now..."

*Buzz, buzz, buzz...*

As he was speaking, Wang Kai's phone vibrated.

"Eh? Speak of the devil."

Wang Kai turned the phone screen toward Qin Yong; the caller ID showed the name Zhang Yuanchao.

Wang Kai pressed the speakerphone and answered.

"Elder Zhang, we just ran into a skeletal remains case and were just talking about asking for your help when your call came through, haha."

"Deputy Director Wang, you're being too polite. However, regarding this skeletal remains case you mentioned—don't you have forensic experts there? Asking me for help... isn't that a bit of a joke?"

*Hmm?*

Wang Kai glanced at Qin Yong, who hurriedly shook his head to indicate he knew nothing. "Elder Zhang, what you mean is... you aren't familiar with the forensic experts here in Haizhou. There aren't any experts to speak of."

"That's not right. Last night, the Technical Identification Center received a request for a review of an osteological identification and analysis report sent by your Haizhou Criminal Investigation Detachment."

"I just read the report. The analysis is extremely deep and meticulous; it's not inferior to the work I do. It is fully capable of serving as judicial evidence."

"I'm calling you because I want to know who the forensic examiner who wrote this analysis report is."

"Deputy Director Wang, don't worry, I have no intention of poaching anyone. It's just that you know the situation at the Provincial Department; when we get busy, there are too many things to handle."

"What I mean is, when we are overwhelmed, perhaps we could occasionally ask this forensic expert for a bit of help..."