Reborn in 97, I solved a cold case at the Municipal Bureau

Chapter 544 Appearance in front of others
"First, I think we should seek help from the provincial DNA laboratory. Several major cases in Hongcheng were solved with the help of the provincial DNA testing department."

Some people looked at each other blankly, because the adoption of the provincial DNA laboratory was not information that had been widely publicized.

Firstly, the laboratory has limited manpower and resources, and secondly, all scientific research technologies need to go through a stage of repeated verification with practical data before they can be officially put into use.

After all, judicial procedures are a very complex issue. In the early stages of DNA testing's involvement in criminal investigations in my country, due to the limited number of testing sites and the relatively low accuracy and reliability of the testing system, it could not be directly used as legally valid evidence.

It was only after the technology developed further and the state issued corresponding explicit regulations that it was included as valid evidence.

This requires a process to give the results legal effect, so current DNA technology is still somewhat distant from most criminal investigators.

“As far as I know, the DNA lab at the provincial department has a really long queue right now,” Cao Anmin said. “It seems that it’s because everyone heard that Hongcheng solved a case using this, so all over the country is reporting their cases and applying for testing. Anyway, I heard that the queue will last until the end of the year. Last time, Director Dai heard about this and wanted me to report some backlog cases to see if there could be any new discoveries. When I inquired, I was shocked.”

Zhou Yi had heard Wu Yongcheng mention the situation Cao Anmin described before. The provincial department's DNA laboratory was overwhelmed with orders, forcing the provincial department to issue notices to various localities, requiring the temporary suspension of reporting of non-major cases.

Otherwise, the waiting list might extend beyond the end of this year, or even the end of next year.

“Chief Cao, I know about the lab waiting list, but most of them are old cases from various places. None of them are as urgent as the cases here. Besides, we have more than one case to apply for,” Zhou Yi said.

"What...what other cases are there?" Cao Anmin asked nervously, wondering if there were any cases he didn't know about.
The others were also stunned, staring at Zhou Yi.

"It's the skeleton found in Yunxia Mountain. We haven't identified the deceased yet, have we?"

Zhou Yi confirmed through one incident that the Yunxia Mountain case was still pending.

Yesterday afternoon, when Yao Yi took him to the detachment office, Fang Jianqing and a group of people were looking through the files of missing persons in the office.

With so much data, it's almost impossible that it was collected and organized in a short period of time. There's only one explanation: this data was originally intended for another purpose.

The skeleton discovered in Yunxia Mountain!

The skeleton's hands, feet, and head were intact, but it had obviously been dead for many years. To confirm its identity, there was no other way but to check the missing persons records.

Just by looking at all the files in the room, he was certain that even though more than half a month had passed, there was still no progress in the Yunxia Mountain case.

He had always suspected that the premature occurrence of the headless female corpse case was related to some changes he had caused, one of which was the case at Yunxia Mountain.

The best way to confirm whether there is a connection between the two is to test their DNA.

During the Donghai residential case, he casually made a jinx that led to two DNA clues.

This time, he wanted to see if his jinxing predictions were still so accurate.

"If we apply for the 803 case and the Yunxia Mountain case together, I imagine they will get more attention from the provincial department in terms of priority," Zhou Yi said.

Cao Anmin pondered for a moment, then looked up at Zhou Yi and said, "But it would be best to ask the leaders of the provincial department to put in a good word for us, to cut in line or something. Otherwise, I'm afraid that if we wait too long, Director Gu and Director Dai won't be able to withstand the pressure from the city."

Zhou Yi knew exactly what he meant; Yao Yi's behavior yesterday had already given him a clue.

Team leader Gao Bo was clearly a very straightforward person, and said directly, "Then we have to find a leader, find Director Gu, Director Gu can definitely handle it."

Cao Anmin rolled his eyes at Gao Bo with a hint of disappointment, and could only say, "Fine, I'll go ask the leader."

“Chief Cao, should I ask someone?” Zhou Yi knew it was time to speak up. “We’ve only just started our investigation, and we’ve already revealed Director Gu’s trump card. He’ll definitely laugh at us.”

Cao Anmin's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this, and he exclaimed inwardly that this young man was quite capable, speaking with remarkable maturity and without a single slip-up.

Although Gu Guozhong wasn't there, the bureau chief still gave him plenty of face.

Everyone else, except Fang Jianqing, was startled.

Zhou Yi knows people in the provincial department.

Fang Jianqing later chatted with Yao Yi and learned that Zhou Yi and Old Qin had a close relationship.

Cao Anmin asked, "Isn't it difficult?"

Zhou Yi said with a smile, "I think as long as I'm thick-skinned enough, Captain Liang shouldn't kick me out."

Cao Anmin was suddenly stunned, because he had heard Yao Yi say that Zhou Yi and Qin Beihai might be relatives.

How did it become Liang's Detachment? Which Liang's Detachment?

Fang Jianqing couldn't help but ask first, "Zhou Yi, who...who is this Captain Liang you mentioned?"

"Oh, it's Liang Wei, the captain of the Major Crimes Division of the Provincial Public Security Department."

His words astounded everyone present!

Even Cao Anmin was taken aback: "Really? You know him?"

Zhou Yi nodded and smiled, "You know Captain Cao too? That's great, saves me the trouble of asking Captain Liang for help."

Cao Anmin quickly waved his hand: "No, no, no, you two are familiar with each other, you should say hello to him. I have met Liang Wei a few times, but we are not close, it is not appropriate for me to approach him rashly."

Fang Jianqing asked curiously, "Zhou Yi, you and Captain Liang seem to know each other quite well?"

Before Zhou Yi could answer, Cao Anmin criticized, "Xiao Fang, don't go asking around about this. It'll have a bad impact if word gets out."

"Yes, yes, yes." Fang Jianqing quickly nodded with a smile.

"I'll call Captain Liang after the meeting and report this to him first," Zhou Yi said.

Cao Anmin said, "Okay, we'll get on with the testing application as soon as possible."

In the previous life, the DNA test report for No. 811 came out more than three months later. It seems that all the necessary tests had been done, and they only thought of DNA testing when they had no other choice. But even after the test, they didn't know how to use it because they didn't have a comparison sample.

Actually, it would have been more appropriate to ask Qin Beihai, or even Old Qin, for this matter.

Zhou Yi's plan was to first register Wu Guang's case with Liang Wei. If Wu Guang's case ever became serious enough that he couldn't ask Wu Yongcheng for help, because procedurally Wu Yongcheng had no jurisdiction over Wu Guang's affairs.

But Liang Wei is different. He is the head of the Provincial Department's Major Crimes Division. If a case is serious, he can directly report to the Provincial Department and intervene.

“You just mentioned a few things, what else? Tell me quickly,” Cao Anmin said.

Zhou Yi noticed that the way people looked at him was noticeably different now, with a hint of awe in their eyes.

He suddenly understood why Ni Jianrong had been so arrogant back then.

He had only "borrowed the tiger's power" for a moment, and everyone thought highly of him simply because he could "talk to" a certain leader in the provincial department.

Ni Jianrong has real connections. Even though he made such a big mistake in the previous case, he was able to land safely and be transferred to Wuguang County Bureau as the director.

It's not surprising that he can float.

If money is an amplifier of human nature, then power is a catalyst for desire.

Ordinary people, once they get even a little bit involved with power, will lose their composure.

Zhou Yi steadied himself and continued, "Okay, I'll continue. Secondly, in addition to the already determined areas of investigation, I suggest we also investigate the special group of hostesses. Not the low-end kind like streetwalkers or hairdressers, but the higher-end hostesses in places like nightclubs and dance halls."

“Dr. Yun was sitting next to me during the meeting just now, so I happened to see some photos in her report. I noticed that the deceased seemed to have a good figure. Considering that the murderer took off all of the deceased's clothes, is it possible that the clothes the deceased was wearing when she was murdered were distinctive and easily recognizable, making it easy to expose the deceased's identity, so the murderer stripped her naked?”

Cao Anmin nodded: "Hmm...that makes sense. The clothes worn by hostesses are usually quite sexy, which can easily expose their profession."

"Yes, the deceased had no tattoos. If she was indeed a sex worker, she probably wasn't one of the low-class types."

"Xiao Fang," Cao Anmin called out.

Fang Jianqing immediately replied, "I remember everything. Zhou Yi, please continue."

"Third, I think we should publish it in the newspaper."

The previous point was meant to address any oversights in the investigation ahead of time, but Zhou Yi already knew the outcome.

This third point is his real purpose.

Sure enough, Cao Anmin frowned slightly and said, "Is it really appropriate to issue a public notice to the citizens at this time? The leaders might have objections."

When the police issue a case report, it's usually because the case has a significant impact and they need to provide an explanation to the public.

Or it could be a reward notice, soliciting clues from the public.

However, it's rare to issue such an announcement right away, because the case hasn't made any clear progress yet, and issuing an announcement rashly could easily put us in a passive position.

“Yes, Zhou Yi,” Fang Jianqing said. “Case reports can’t be issued casually; this application is submitted to the city.” “Chief Cao, Chief Fang, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not issuing a formal case report. I understand that this concerns public opinion.”

"Then what do you mean by publishing it in the newspaper?"

“Here’s what I think: the killer cut off the victim’s head, hands, and feet, right? The killer’s purpose was undoubtedly to hide the victim’s identity and prevent the police from confirming it. The fact that he dared to do this shows that he was very confident. Didn’t yesterday’s search find any other severed body parts?”

Everyone shook their heads repeatedly, especially those in charge of the search, who shook their heads rapidly.

"Leaving aside the victim's identity, just considering the severed parts, I don't think the killer intends to dispose of the body anytime soon. He's already dealt with the most troublesome and largest piece of the body. The rest can even be frozen directly in the refrigerator. Let alone a few months later, he could dispose of it even years later, as long as we can't identify the victim!"

This is the most troublesome part of the headless female corpse case. The difference between this case and the major case is that the major case is easy to identify the victim and investigate around the victim. It's just that the cunning of the murderer far exceeded expectations.

In the previous life, the victim's identity wasn't even confirmed, making it seem as if the person didn't exist.

The deceased's head and other body parts are easy to dispose of, whether they are frozen in a refrigerator for several years or disposed of slowly.

"What I mean by publishing in the newspaper is using an ambiguous news report to trick the murderer."

"Fake the murderer? How so?" Cao Anmin immediately became interested.

"Find a newspaper and have them publish a news report in the style of gossip, saying that an unidentified female corpse has been found in the city, and the police have apparently found a key clue to identify the deceased. The rest is not important."

"If the murderer sees this report, he will definitely become restless, wondering if he has missed something or if he has been exposed."

"Once the seed of suspicion is planted, the murderer will definitely be in a hurry to dispose of the victim's head and limbs."

"If he makes any moves again, he might leave traces for us to investigate and track!"

Zhou Yi added fuel to the fire, saying, "It's still early in the morning, so the murderer is probably still in a state of high tension and is more likely to make mistakes in the chaos. If we wait until he's fully recovered, it will be much harder to deceive him."

In fact, Zhou Yi was not sure if doing this would be effective. Although it is said that all's fair in war, there was no focused target.

But since the case was unsolved and had been shrouded in mystery in his previous life, Zhou Yi had no external advantages to rely on.

Why not just try anything, even if it seems hopeless? The real purpose is to give him a good reason to contact the Wuguang Metropolitan Daily.

Some people have raised the question, "What if the murderer doesn't watch the news?"

Zhou Yi immediately replied, "That's a good question. The murderer has just committed the crime, and from a normal criminal psychology perspective, he would definitely be concerned about whether the body has been discovered. However, since the burial site is too remote, the murderer is unlikely to return to the area or gather information nearby. Therefore, television and newspapers are the most likely sources of information he would pay attention to, but television news has a time limit, and once it's missed, it's gone. So newspapers are the appropriate choice."

"I can't guarantee that the murderer will read the newspaper, but I can guarantee that if he wants to know the progress of our police work, his choice will definitely be the newspaper."

Upon hearing this, Cao Anmin immediately decided to follow Zhou Yi's suggestion.

The next step was to discuss which newspaper to publish the news in.

Cao Anmin felt that since the information was ambiguous and the deception was being used, it shouldn't be done too openly, otherwise it would be counterproductive.

However, it can't be published in tabloids either, because if the circulation is too low, the chances of the murderer seeing it are too small.

Furthermore, it couldn't be published in the most authoritative official newspaper in the area. He didn't say why, but Zhou Yi knew it was because he was afraid of being held responsible for problems within the system.

Zhou Yi casually asked, "I have a friend who's a reporter for the Wuguang City Daily. What's that newspaper like? Does it have a lot of influence locally?"

Gao Bo immediately said, "This newspaper is good. The circulation is pretty good. I remember our bureau subscribed to it. I often read it when I'm on the toilet."

And so, the "Wuguang Metropolitan Daily" was finalized.

Furthermore, since Zhou Yi mentioned having a friend who was a reporter there, Zhou Yi was put in charge of communicating about this matter.

Fang Jianqing also enthusiastically arranged a partner for Zhou Yi, saying that he was afraid Zhou Yi was not familiar with Wu Guang's situation.

After all the specific tasks were arranged, Cao Anmin adjourned the meeting and told Fang Jianqing and Gao Bo to hurry up and finish the work, and to find out the identity of the deceased as soon as possible, so that Director Gu and Director Dai wouldn't have to ask.

Finally, he also praised the two elite soldiers sent by brother units, namely Zhou Yi and Hou Kun.

Hou Kun felt a little guilty and embarrassed.

Cao Anmin asked Zhou Yi to stay behind so he could have a brief chat with him.

Soon, only the two of them remained in the large conference room.

"Zhou Yi, how are you? Are you having any difficulties in life?" Cao Anmin asked with a smile.

"Nothing for now, everything is fine."

"I won't lie to you, but our Wuguang isn't like your Hongcheng, where there are many big cases."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi's lips twitched slightly, and he muttered to himself: It's none of my business.

"Don't be fooled by how loud and boisterous this room full of people is. All of them combined probably don't have as much experience in major cases as you do."

Zhou Yi quickly and modestly replied, "No, no, they are all seniors, I have to learn from them."

Cao Anmin waved his hand: "How could I not know my own soldiers? We've always been short of criminal investigation talent here, and the best ones are still..."

"Forget about the past. You have a lot of experience with major cases, and you've just arrived and you've landed this one, so let's work together to solve it as soon as possible."

Cao Anmin's style is very similar to his Maitreya Buddha-like appearance; he persuades people with reason and moves them with emotion, which makes him quite adept at ideological and political work within the system.

"Captain Cao, if we can confirm the victim's identity as soon as possible, I am confident in solving the case." Zhou Yi knew that Cao Anmin wanted him to express his determination, and of course, he also gave himself a disclaimer.

If I can't confirm the identity of the deceased, then there's nothing I can do.

"By the way, did Captain Liang give you a heads-up?" Cao Anmin asked.

"Which matter are you referring to..."

"It's about your rotation. I heard Director Dai mention it. He said the provincial department gave us a form to score you regularly." Cao Anmin glanced at the door, then leaned closer and whispered, "They said the people with the highest final scores can be promoted next year."

"This Captain Liang must have told you about it, right?"

Zhou Yi immediately nodded calmly, "I hinted at it a little."

Upon hearing this, Cao Anmin laughed heartily and said, "It's fine as long as you know it, then I haven't leaked any secrets."

"No, no, but I still thank Captain Cao for trusting me. I won't go out and publicize it."

Whether Cao Anmin did it intentionally or unintentionally, I definitely have to make a statement.

"Yes, Fang Jianqing and Gao Bo are both very nice people, especially Gao Bo, who has been with me for many years. If you need any cooperation at work, just tell them. If they are unsure, you can come directly to me. My office is the second one on the east side of this floor."

"Okay, thank you, Captain Cao. I will learn more from you two seniors."

Cao Anmin stood up and said, "Okay, then you can make a call to Captain Liang from here. I'm leaving now."

Seeing Zhou Yi stand up to see him off, Cao Anmin raised his hand and said, "No need to see me off, just sit down."

With that, he chuckled and pushed open the door to leave.

Cao Anmin's overtures were somewhat unexpected by Zhou Yi. Could it be that after Zhong Ming's decline, Wu Guang's criminal investigation capabilities were in such a state of flux?

So much so that he, as the detachment leader, would specifically encourage this outsider monk?
Or is it that connections and background are so good that they can make someone stand out in front of everyone?

No wonder Chen Gengyun is good at being a political broker.

Zhou Yi took out his phone, ready to call Liang Wei.

Suddenly, he had a feeling that he was being watched.

Turning around abruptly, I noticed that the conference room door had actually shaken slightly.

Clearly, someone had been spying on him through the crack in the door.

Zhou Yi rushed over, opened the door, and looked into the corridor outside.

At the far west end of the corridor, a figure flashed by.

Zhou Yi was taken aback: "How could it be him?"

(End of this chapter)