Chapter 18: A Bottle of Luzhou Laojiao

Social graces and human nature exist everywhere.

Although Liu Guodong held no real power and only managed three people in the Forensic Investigation Office, the fact that forensics also encompassed trace evidence analysis made things different.

Under the Haizhou City Criminal Investigation Detachment, there were several criminal investigation squadrons, and they had their own action teams; cases occurred every single day.

In modern criminal investigation, aside from the very few cases where suspects are caught red-handed at the scene, all others require the assistance of forensic and trace evidence analysis to secure evidence.

For example, the footprint analysis Lu Chuan had performed earlier.

Compared to footprint analysis, fingerprint comparison was a much more common method of solving crimes.

In the Forensic Investigation Office, Liu Guodong, Yang Sen, and Old Bai were all experts in this field.

Of course, being "experts" here was limited to the scope of the Haizhou City Criminal Investigation Detachment.

Fingerprint comparison is actually a fundamental required course for any criminal investigator; even the beat officers at local police stations could talk a bit of shop about it.

Some experienced auxiliary police officers could also perform some work in this area.

But much like the flexible workers standing on street corners in small alleys compared to the service staff in luxury clubs, there was likely a certain gap in both technical proficiency and hardware facilities.

Most detectives could perform comparisons on fingerprints that were relatively intact.

However, the reality was that many fingerprints collected at crime scenes were incomplete.

Or they were severely distorted, which required a high level of technical ability.

Lu Chuan had studied fingerprint comparison back at the Public Security University, but one teacher teaching dozens of students could not provide hands-on, one-on-one instruction.

Therefore, even a top student like Lu Chuan, upon entering the actual workforce, had to follow closely behind his seniors, accumulating knowledge bit by bit.

With many cases and few technicians, the Forensic Investigation Office became a highly sought-after department.

After all, no matter which squadron leader or action team leader you were, you would eventually have to come to Liu Guodong and his team for help.

The South Suburb Arson Case, handled by Action Group Two, was one of the major cases in recent days.

But it was only one of them; there were also two robbery cases where the fingerprints had not yet been successfully matched, and Yang Sen and Old Bai were currently applying eye drops.

The leader of Group Two was Ren Qiang, who had joined the force in the same year as Liu Guodong. Most people in their age group had already become minor leaders.

They were undoubtedly the backbone of the Criminal Investigation Detachment. Ren Qiang pulled out some cigarettes and distributed them to Liu Guodong and the others, personally lighting one for Liu Guodong: "Just prioritize matching the ten sets of fingerprints first; we need an actionable lead."

Upon hearing this, Liu Guodong's expression changed. He had only taken half a puff of his cigarette before blowing out a smoke ring: "Leader Ren, do you have any idea how much time it takes to match ten sets of fingerprints?"

"Look at Yang Sen and Old Bai; their eyes are practically going blind."

In Lu Chuan's view, Liu Guodong's expression was a little bit exaggerated.

Yang Sen's use of eye drops was merely a habit; he had only matched two sets of fingerprints all morning.

Furthermore, since all of them had failed to match, it hadn't quite reached the point of eye strain.

However, Lu Chuan clearly did not interrupt. He poured a cup of tea for Ren Qiang: "Leader Ren, have some tea."

For Lu Chuan, most people no longer viewed him as a mere newcomer. The resolution of several cases a few days ago had significantly boosted his reputation within the Criminal Investigation Detachment.

"Thanks," Ren Qiang took the teacup, his eyes shifting. "Old Liu, I know you guys are short-handed and overworked..."

Ren Qiang then looked toward Lu Chuan: "How about letting young Lu help with the comparison?"

Lu Chuan was surprised and hurriedly waved his hands: "Leader Ren, I can't do that."

"I have some research into footprint analysis, and regarding fingerprint analysis, I have studied fingerprint *collection*, but when it comes to *comparison*, I really am not up to it."

Although a man shouldn't say he "can't," Lu Chuan believed it was better to be honest.

In terms of fingerprint collection, he possessed a mid-level skill rewarded by the system and was confident he could hold his own at the level of the Haizhou City Public Security Bureau.

But fingerprint comparison...

Compared to the theoretical knowledge he had learned in school, let alone competing with Liu Guodong, even a veteran auxiliary officer would likely be better than him.

"Alright, Old Ren, I'm already working myself to the bone. I've looked at the fingerprints from your case."

Liu Guodong had actually looked at the fingerprints from the South Suburb Arson Case quite a while ago: "A total of thirty-six sets of fingerprints were collected. Aside from a few incomplete ones, the rest are basically fingerprints that were burned by the fire."

He casually pulled out a fingerprint file nearby: "Old Ren, you're a veteran investigator yourself. Look for yourself—can this even be called a fingerprint?"

"Forget about me not being able to match them; even if you sent them to the Provincial Department to let those experts try, the probability of a match would still be low."

The scattered fingerprint files fell into Lu Chuan's sight.

A pile of pitch-black fingerprints—no, looking at that shape, they didn't even look like fingerprints anymore.

This was definitely the result of being smoked and burned by fire.

Ren Qiang gave an awkward smile. His Action Group Two had collected the fingerprints, so he knew better than anyone what they looked like.

"Old Liu, we really had no choice but to collect these. We've all been up all night."

When it came to collecting fingerprints, it was actually best if the forensic staff went.

But in reality, there were only four people in the Forensic Investigation Office, and they were overwhelmed just doing trace evidence analysis from their desks every day.

Unless there was a major case, such as a homicide, Liu Guodong and the others would not go to the scene.

It wasn't because they were acting high and mighty, but because they were genuinely too busy.

Therefore, the scenes of some cases were inspected and evidence was collected by the action teams.

The South Suburb Arson Case was such a situation.

"Old Liu, can't you think of a way?"

"I really can't. These fingerprints basically have no value for comparison."

"A bottle of Luzhou Laojiao!"

"Old Ren, forget one bottle—even ten bottles won't fix this if it can't be done."

Since even a bottle of Luzhou Laojiao wouldn't work, Ren Qiang knew Liu Guodong was telling the truth.

Sighing, Ren Qiang prepared to get up and leave. Just as he reached the door, he suddenly turned back to look at Lu Chuan: "Xiao Lu, you just said you have research into fingerprint collection?"

Huh?

Lu Chuan, who was about to head to the canteen for a meal, was slightly stunned. He had indeed said that just now.

However, Ren Qiang's question clearly implied he had a favor to ask.

As a qualified professional, Lu Chuan turned his gaze toward Liu Guodong.

Ren Qiang understood Lu Chuan's meaning; although he had research into fingerprint collection, whether he could go depended on Liu Guodong.

"One bottle of Luzhou Laojiao, and Xiao Lu makes a trip!"

Tsk tsk.

Liu Guodong smacked his lips: "It's not a matter of whether the liquor is old or not."

"Xiao Lu is a newcomer after all. He has some insights into footprint analysis, but he lacks experience in fingerprint analysis. As for collection..."

Liu Guodong glanced at Lu Chuan: "It wouldn't hurt to try, but we can't guarantee that we'll be able to collect clearer fingerprints."

How could Ren Qiang not understand the implication in Liu Guodong's words? He patted his chest with a righteous expression: "Don't worry. If you collect them, the credit goes to Forensics. If you don't, it has nothing to do with you guys."

"I'll have the alcohol sent over in a moment!"

Liu Guodong nodded with satisfaction. When it came to knowing how to handle things, Old Ren was still the best.