Animal Detective

Chapter 176 Burial Site
The unexpected clue greatly excited Shen Xin.

Chen Chao arrived with his men to provide support.

Wang Linhong followed Zhang Nanhai to create a composite sketch, while Chen Chao listened attentively to Shen Xin's investigation over the past few days, as well as his analysis and speculations about the case.

He wasn't in charge of the case.

So after listening, he looked at Zhou Zhongyi beside him and asked him what he thought.

Zhou Zhongyi gave a wry smile and said, "Would you believe me if I said that I also considered the possibility of accidental death back then?"

Shen Xin believed that he wasn't trying to save face for her, and nodded.

Zhou Zhongyi continued, "I've been a criminal police officer for many years, so I can't say I'm good at judging people, but I could tell at the time that although the couple often argued, Yang Huixia loved her husband."

"But there are many suspicious points about her, so you should suspect her no matter how you look at it."

"At the time, I suspected it was an accidental death and wanted to investigate, but I had no clues. For example, Xiao Shen said that the two of them often came to the top of the mountain to sit and relax, but I never heard her mention it."

In hindsight, we can make some predictions based on the fact that he liked to sit on the mountaintop.

But at the time, no one knew about this situation, and who would have thought that the couple had this habit?

"We still need to pay attention to details."

As a leader, Chen Chao couldn't help but summarize, and then said, "Now that we have a clue, that's the best outcome. In my opinion, the suspect most likely killed the person near Lotus Peak."

"So after he killed the man, dragging a heavy corpse, he probably wouldn't have gone too far."

"And this shovel, it shouldn't be something he carried with him the first time he was on the mountain. Could it be that he killed someone and then returned to bury the body?"

"So let's start by looking for traces within a hundred meters around the top of the lotus flower."

The suspect is currently undetermined.

Even if there were surveillance cameras nearby, they would have been covered up long ago, making it impossible to investigate the case from two years ago.

The only eyewitness is Wang Linhong, but after a brief glance and two years having passed, it is still unknown whether a sufficiently clear composite sketch can be made.

So we still need to find the body first.

But this is not an easy task.

As the seasons change, the grass and trees on the mountain grow one generation after another. Even if there are traces of digging, they are long gone after being washed away by the rain.

Forensic pathologist Du Xinkai also arrived at the scene to provide support. He explained to everyone the possible features that could help identify the burial site.

"Some people say that the weeds and trees grow more lush at the burial site, but that's not always the case. Besides, it's been more than two years, and you can't tell at all."

"On the contrary, some unusually sparse areas, or areas that grow slower than the surrounding areas, are more promising, because the suspect disturbed the soil, causing local vegetation to wither and die."

"With more than two years left, the body will have decomposed into bones, so there is a possibility of local soil collapse, which is also a distinguishing feature."

"Anyway, let's try our best to find it."

He waved his hand, signaling everyone to get to work.

The first step is to draw the area.

Chen Chao said the range is 100 meters, so let's take the Lotus Peak as the center and expand outwards.

First, determine a suitable location for burying the body.

Because some rocks on the mountain were exposed, there were no suitable conditions for burying the body.

First, identify these areas and clearly delineate them. Then, have one person work on one area and use a steel probe to search for them.

Frankly, this method is extremely inefficient; it's like looking for a needle in a haystack.

"Forensic Doctor Du, I saw a news report on my phone that mentioned some kind of ground-penetrating radar that can detect bodies buried underground. Does that exist?" Shen Xin asked.

Du Xinkai said, "Yes, there are some, I've heard people talk about them, but those things aren't accurate."

He listed the shortcomings on his fingers.

The soil should be relatively dry, preferably sandy. If it is damp, sticky, sedimentary soil, the electromagnetic wave attenuation will be very severe.

Furthermore, underground rocks can interfere with the detection results.

On mountains like this, it's almost impossible to make accurate measurements.

"Most importantly, our bureau doesn't have the equipment, so you'd better go and find it yourself."

He waved his hand, signaling Shen Xin not to think about slacking off.

However, a thought struck him, and he called out to Shen Xin, saying, "I did read a news article that said there are police dogs in other countries that are specially trained to find skeletons. They are said to be very sensitive to the smell of bone fat and amino acid degradation products in human bones."

"Why don't you bring DouDou over and give it a try? I'll get you a piece of human bone so it can smell it." Shen Xin nodded.

If we keep searching like this, who knows how long it will take?

"I go."

Zhao Tianxing threw down the steel rod and ran away.

Speaking of DouDou, Shen Xin actually has another idea.

Monkey Bubu!

Yesterday, he had a habit of following Yang Huixia up the mountain, and when he left, Yang Huixia said that he would go back down the mountain by himself, which shows that Bubu should be very familiar with the mountain environment.

Yang Huixia added that Zhu Guishen raised Bubu himself and often played with him.

So, when the incident occurred, did Bubu also follow Zhu Guishen up the mountain?

He may have witnessed the crime, or like Lele, he may have seen the murderer bury the body and knew where it was buried.

If his memories of Zhu Guishen are triggered, he might take the initiative to find the place where he last saw Zhu Guishen.

That is, the burial ground.

With this in mind, Shen Xin approached Chen Chao and shared his thoughts.

That's a bit of a pipe dream.

Having experienced the Wu Jiawang case and the Liu Laibin case, Chen Chao was no longer surprised by Shen Xin's ability to get close to animals. After a moment's thought, he agreed.

Shen Xin didn't rush to the amusement park at the foot of the mountain, waiting for Zhang Nanhai to produce the composite sketch.

“He’s old and doesn’t remember very clearly. Mainly, he doesn’t have any obvious features, except for his hair, which was dyed,” Zhang Nanhai said.

Shen Xin leaned closer to look at the portrait.

An average young man with medium-length layered hair, an oval face, and single eyelids.

As Zhang Nanhai said, his physical features were not obvious.

With that face, it would be hard to find anyone else.

But Chen Chao had an idea: he suggested that Ding Yuwei go to Dingshan Police Station and ask the veteran police officers there.

It's not that dyeing one's hair automatically makes them a hoodlum, but considering characteristics such as having the guts to commit murder, committing a crime of passion, and possibly carrying a weapon, it's reasonable to speculate that the suspect is a social outcast.

The local police station keeps track of the troublemakers who frequently cause trouble in its jurisdiction.

Let the veteran police officers at the station take a look; they might find something.

Ding Yuwei left, and Shen Xin didn't hesitate either, taking a side path down the mountain to the petting zoo.

They chatted briefly yesterday, but when Yang Huixia saw Shen Xin again, she was still a little impatient and asked him why he had come again, telling him everything she knew.

The investigation is still ongoing on the mountain, so Shen Xin naturally wouldn't reveal the progress of the investigation carelessly.

"Sister Yang, you don't know, I really like small animals. Yesterday I heard you say that Brother Zhu and Bubu have a very good relationship, so I wanted to ask you, does Bubu usually come with Brother Zhu when he goes up the mountain?"

"Oh right, where's Bubu? I also bought him an apple."

Shen Xin shook the plastic bag.

Yang Huixia sighed, probably still finding Shen Xin a bit annoying, and said, "That's right, sometimes when Lao Zhu goes up the mountain, Bubu will go with him."

"Old Zhu often takes Bubu out to play, teaches him to do somersaults and ride a bicycle, and even said that once Bubu has learned, he will put on a circus performance."

As he spoke, he looked around and pointed to the stables for the ponies in the distance, saying, "Isn't that it? Go over there yourself, I still have work to do."

She drove away on a flatbed cart, dragging several bags of feed with her.

Shen Xin arrived at the horse pen.

Bubu is sitting on the fence, being fed by other children.

Upon seeing Shen Xin, he must have remembered being tricked yesterday, because he immediately jumped up and down excitedly, squealing loudly.

Without saying a word, Shen Xin handed over an apple.

He snatched it away, and only then did he settle down.

After glancing at Shen Xin twice, the favorability rating on his head immediately increased by another level.

(End of this chapter)