National Forensic Doctor
Chapter 378 - 378 345 Setting Out

378: Chapter 345: Setting Out 378: Chapter 345: Setting Out Jiang Yuan picked out the relatively big cases in Wen Township and cracked four in three days.

This was also how he gradually became familiar with rural cases.

Common cases in rural areas were somewhat different from those in cities, beyond the prevalence of monitoring equipment that tended to locate urban crimes within buildings, the anti-investigation skills of rural residents were distinct from their urban counterparts.

Especially in rural regions with many elderly living alone, the criminals’ ability to cover up their crimes was obviously weaker.

Yet, with the added factors of time and space, combined with less competent investigators, the struggle often ended in a draw.

The cases Jiang Yuan successively cracked could be explained, upon reflection, as a result of a backlog caused by inadequate response.

If there had been enough police force and attention at the time—which was, of course, impossible, since a single police station in Wen Township with a handful of auxiliary police was already overwhelmed with work.

Song Jinyou, seeing the cases that Jiang Yuan had solved, fell into deep thought.

Meng Chengbiao, who was older, comforted Song Jinyou when he sensed his low spirits, “Jiang Yuan doesn’t play by the book when working on cases.

He has mastered several techniques that are the best not only in your township or county but throughout the province.

Otherwise, why would the Criminal Police Detachment seek him out?”

“You haven’t seen the list of cases we handed to Jiang Yuan,” Song Jinyou glanced at Meng Chengbiao.

The age difference between the two was negligible, but as a police chief, he actually had a much more comfortable position than Meng Chengbiao, despite the less developed workplace.

Meng Chengbiao didn’t understand what Song Jinyou meant and shook his head slightly.

Song Jinyou pulled up a photo on his phone, handed it to Meng Chengbiao, and expanded it slightly, “Our township’s cases aren’t as abundant as the city’s.

The backlog of cases severe enough to warrant a three-year sentence…

are just these few…”

At first, Meng Chengbiao didn’t quite understand, but as Song Jinyou spoke and he took a closer look at the list in the photo, his eyes widened suddenly, “Did he work through each case one by one?”

“Yes, he’s been knocking them off in order,” Song Jinyou found a different expression, “One after another.”

Meng Chengbiao didn’t know how to describe it, but as a member of the Changyang City Criminal Police Detachment, he was certain this was really something impressive.

Backlogged cases differed from current cases in that they offered varying amounts of information.

As the nature of each case differed, so did the difficulty of backlog cases and the applicable methods, which were worlds apart.

Initially, both Meng Chengbiao and Song Jinyou assumed that Jiang Yuan was picking and choosing cases to work on, like he had always done—choosing those cases that matched his investigative skills, ones with plenty of footprints, lots of bloodstains, or fingerprints that fit his needs…

Neither had expected that Jiang Yuan had started tackling cases sequentially.

At first glance, this might not seem like much, but the more they thought about it, the more incredible it seemed.

Song Jinyou, as the head of the police station, couldn’t help but think: If Jiang Yuan were under my command…

Many images sprang up in Song Jinyou’s mind: receiving commendations, promotions and pay rises, becoming a winner in life, receiving commendations, grateful families, receiving commendations, promotions and pay rises…

Buzz…

Jiang Yuan’s phone vibrated.

Song Jinyou’s self-perpetuating fantasies were abruptly disrupted.

“Director Yang,” Jiang Yuan answered the call.

On the other end of the line was Yang Ling from the provincial fingerprint section.

Yang Ling’s voice was clear, “Jiang Yuan, there’s a case here, and we’re seeking national support.

I’ve put your name forward for fingerprints and trace evidence.

Is that okay with you?”

“Uh, what kind of case?” Jiang Yuan asked.

“A child disappearance case,” Yang Ling answered succinctly.

“How soon can you get to Guqi City?”

“Guqi City, Anping Province?…

I’m in a township below Ningtai County right now, heading to the airport, but I’m not sure if there’s a flight available…” Jiang Yuan said.

“I’ll coordinate for you,” Yang Ling replied promptly.

Jiang Yuan was taken aback, “Is it that serious?”

“This case is under ministerial supervision.

Do a good job once you get there and don’t disgrace our Shannan Province,” Yang Ling wasn’t very familiar with Jiang Yuan, mainly from their previous collaboration in fingerprint warfare.

She was a bit stern but quickly followed up with, “Anything else you need on your end?”

“I would like to bring a few people with me.” No matter how capable Jiang Yuan was, investigating cases was mentally exhausting, and it helped to have a few people around, even if just to drive.

Yang Ling gave an “Mm,” and said, “You can bring two people.

Any more will require another application.”

“That makes two.” Jiang Yuan felt that was enough.

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yuan informed Meng Chengbiao and Song Jinyou of the situation.

Song Jinyou had nothing much to say.

Aladdin’s lamp could grant only three wishes, and he couldn’t really keep Jiang Yuan in his own sub-bureau.

All he could do was express his regretful admiration, “Cases overseen by the ministry are few and far between, only a few dozen to a hundred a year, and they’re all significant cases.

I wish Captain Jiang success and a smooth investigation.”

“Thank you very much,” Jiang Yuan responded politely to Song Jinyou.

Turning his head to Meng Chengbiao, he said, “This time, I’m planning to take Mu Zhiyang and Wang Chuanxing with me.

Are you going back to Changyang City, or would you like to take a break?”

“There’s no need for a break; I just had one,” Meng Chengbiao said, filled with the urge to crack cases.

If he wanted to rest and take it easy, he could have just slacked off.

There was no need for him to travel all the way from Changyang City to Ningtai County.

But Meng Chengbiao didn’t really want to go back to Changyang City either.

The Criminal Police Detachment was always short-staffed.

If they worked on cases with Jiang Yuan, Captain Yu wouldn’t say anything, but if they were idle, Captain Yu would definitely assign them to another case.

Then, when Jiang Yuan returned, if their old cases weren’t finished, they wouldn’t have a reason to withdraw.

Thinking this, Meng Chengbiao spoke quietly, “Captain Jiang, how about we go with you?

We’re your people anyway; Guqi City won’t mind having too many of us, right?”

Jiang Yuan hesitated for a moment.

Meng Chengbiao guessed, “If you’re worried about the funding, you can just ask Chief Yu.

The Detachment’s annual budget isn’t small, especially the travel expenses, which are quite high.

You’ve solved so many cases for Chief Yu this year, and it hasn’t cost him much.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have agreed to us coming over…”

“I wasn’t thinking about the money,” Jiang Yuan said with a smile.

“But you’re right about the funding.

I’ll discuss it with Director Huang.”

Meng Chengbiao asked, “If it’s not about the money, what are you worried about?”

“Oh, I just think that having so many people might not actually be that helpful,” Jiang Yuan spread his hands.

Meng Chengbiao’s smile for the day ran out.

Song Jinyou covered his mouth with his hand to keep from laughing out loud.

“Let’s do this.

Ask everyone if they want to rest; let them take a break.

Those who are willing to travel on business can come with me.

You tally up the numbers, and I’ll report them to Director Huang,” Jiang Yuan said.

Meng Chengbiao agreed, but still a bit puzzled, “Why not directly tell Chief Yu?”

“Let Director Huang and Chief Yu settle it directly.” Jiang Yuan always felt that selling the same goods twice wasn’t too appropriate.

8 P.M.

Jiang Yuan arrived in Guqi City with Mu Zhiyang and seven others without any issues.

Guqi City is the third-largest city in Anping Province, with its own airport.

It’s also a resource-based city with a solid industrial base, though the main factories and companies are state-owned.

A female officer with short hair that reached her shoulders, looking mature and capable, came to pick them up at the airport.

She reached out her hand and said, “Captain Jiang, hello.

My name is Dong Bing, the liaison officer of our expert group.”

“Have many experts arrived?” Jiang Yuan asked as he got into the car.

Before departing, he had reported that there were nine people, and Guqi City hadn’t objected.

Now, one Coaster could take them all.

Dong Bing said, “Including you, six experts have arrived so far.”

“I’m a fingerprint expert?” Jiang Yuan pointed at himself.

Dong Bing frowned slightly and said, “You’re an expert in fingerprints and trace evidence…

right, that shouldn’t be a problem, should it?”

“Are there other fingerprint and trace evidence experts?” Jiang Yuan continued to ask.

“We have another trace evidence expert from Anping Province enlisted, and if needed, we should be able to receive help from other fingerprint experts as well.”

“Oh, that’s good,” Jiang Yuan felt relieved.

Now that he had acquired a range of skills, he sometimes wanted to contribute in different areas and wasn’t keen on being limited to a single field.

If there were other experts in trace evidence and fingerprints, he wouldn’t have to worry about being too constrained.

After all, the work could involve a vast number of fingerprint and trace comparisons, and without others to share the workload, he wouldn’t be able to escape.

Dong Bing just assumed Jiang Yuan lacked confidence.

Seeing his young age, she could only shake her head secretly, thinking: It’s a good thing our province has its own expert.

If we relied solely on the ministry’s arrangements, it would truly be troublesome.

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