1995, Starting as a Criminal Investigation Expert

Chapter 114 How did this get into research?

"It's not that exaggerated."

Geng Zheng quickly waved his hand and said, "I was only promoted to professor last year. In mathematics, I'm at most a beginner."

Li Shu had no way to respond to those words.

Wang Ze'an was speechless. He said, "Brother, you're a 39-year-old professor in the mathematics department at Peking University, and you're telling me you've just started?"

Although Geng Zheng did not graduate from Peking University, his undergraduate degree was still quite good; he attended Songpu Jiaotong University.

Most importantly, he joined Peking University as a teacher in 89 and was promoted to professor last year, a mere five years in between.

Five years—in the Mathematics Department of Peking University, from lecturer to professor—maybe not as much as that prodigy Zhang Jiping, who was 31.

He was promoted to professor at a young age, which is still quite remarkable.

In the field of mathematics, he would definitely be considered a young prodigy.

"Not worth mentioning."

Geng Zheng waved his hand, remaining very modest.

Li Shu sighed silently. There was no way to talk to each other. There was simply no way to talk to each other.

Wang Ze'an grabbed Li Shu and said, "Come on, tell us your thought process again."

He went to Peking University, hoping to find someone.

Actually, he didn't have anyone in the mathematics department at Peking University, so he went to Shi Qingyun.

He graduated from the mathematics department of Peking University, studies algorithms, and is a math enthusiast.

After hearing Wang Ze'an's request, he recommended Geng Zheng.

Studying probability and causal inference is best suited for working with this kind of probabilistic mathematical model.

Geng Zheng was also very interested when he heard this, so he ran over together.

Researchers, once they have a point of interest, are unwilling to procrastinate.

Upon arriving at Wang Ze'an's office, Li Shu reiterated his thoughts and ideas in their entirety.

This time, the explanation is more detailed.

In particular, how to select weighted factors from 43 cases.

For example, the suspect most likely does not own a car.

Firstly, someone who can afford a car is not short of money. Secondly, witnesses in several cases saw the suspect leave on a bicycle.

However, the suspect's mode of transportation may not necessarily be a bicycle.

First of all, if it were a case of committing crimes while traveling, riding directly from outlying counties to Anjing would be too far.

Furthermore, eyewitness accounts confirm that the suspect was clearly not riding a bicycle during the multiple crimes.

This bicycle was probably stolen, made from whatever was available.

Based on this analysis, the probability of using public transportation is still higher.

However, some counties and cities do not have railway lines to Beijing, and these can be assigned different weights.

Furthermore, after arriving in Anjing from the prefecture or city, the suspect's target was very clear: the school.

There is also a route to the school from Beijing.

In this process, how suspects select schools and look for potential targets can also be analyzed, and different paths can be weighted to calculate probabilities using a model.

Forty-three cases—it's crazy, but that's precisely why it provides a large enough sample size for analysis.

"Professor Geng, this is my idea. Do you think it's possible to make it happen?" Li Shu asked nervously.

Even Wang Ze'an dared not make a definitive conclusion that he could create such a mathematical model.

Thinking about it from another perspective is enough to illustrate how difficult it is to put one's ideas into practice.

Knowing that Anjing was full of hidden talents, Li Shu was still a little uneasy, fearing that his ideas were just castles in the air and unrealistic.

After all, this idea of ​​mine didn't exist in the system; it was purely something I came up with on my own after being inspired.

Geng Zheng put his hands on his hips and looked at the blackboard.

He's the kind of person whose mind works quickly; in fact, he understood Li Shu's line of thought even before Li Shu finished speaking.

Having considered it most of the time, he paused for a moment and said, "To achieve this, I think there are two key points. First, I need experienced criminal investigators to help me filter the weighted factors."

He's a math major, but he doesn't know how to solve crimes.

"Secondly, we need to conduct a detailed survey of all the counties and cities surrounding Anjing and the routes leading to the capital."

"Whether there are trains, buses or minibuses, what the routes are like, the time and convenience of each route all need to be investigated."

"This will likely consume a significant amount of manpower."

He looked at Wang Ze'an, his tone somewhat worried.

Studying probability naturally requires data, and this involves more than twenty counties and cities, and so many routes, so a lot of manpower is needed to investigate.

Wang Ze'an said confidently, "That's easy. As long as we can solve this case, they'll do anything you ask the Municipal Bureau."

Originally, we had to spend a lot of manpower on stakeouts and visits.

Not to mention the traffic police, who already have plenty of data.

Geng Zheng nodded: "If that's the case, I think it's feasible, and I really find this model very interesting."

He was interested in the model itself, which is why he was willing to come and help.

Li Shu was overjoyed.

Wang Ze'an smiled and said, "Professor Geng, how about this? We can work on a research project together. You provide the personnel, and we'll provide the funding. How about we collaborate?"

Li Shu was slightly taken aback. How did this turn into a research project?

After a moment's thought, Geng Zheng nodded and said yes.

This isn't a small mathematical model; it's something he could easily create by working overtime and tinkering with it himself.

He needs to find students to help him process data and conduct research.

If it's pursued as a research project, then whatever the final results, it won't be a waste of time.

"Okay, that's settled then. I'm in a hurry to get home and cook, so I'll be going now." Geng Zheng smiled sheepishly and prepared to leave.

Wang Ze'an suggested they have a meal together, but he refused.

Judging from his reaction, he's probably a bit afraid of his wife and needs to go home.

He arranged for a car to take him home. As the car drove away, Li Shucai asked, "Brother Wang, how did this turn into a research project?"

They're even providing funding; this has blown up!

Wang Ze'an was running back and forth without even having time to eat. He grabbed Li Shu and said, "It was Academician Shi who reminded me that this kind of mathematical model for crime geography research has great application prospects. He suggested that I apply to the institute to do a research project."

"It's for your own good." He casually hooked his arm around Li Shu's shoulder and chuckled, "Kid, what a great opportunity! Professor Geng is interested. You know, you can't get him to do this kind of project."

"Once you're familiar with this project, you can use it to conduct related theoretical research in the future. That will be your network."

"Also, now that I think about it, I also think this topic has great potential. It studies crime patterns. If it's actually successful and the ministry certifies it, you'll definitely receive a commendation. It will be very beneficial for your future professional title evaluation and promotion."

Once this project is approved, it will be a ministerial-level project, which is an absolute prestigious honor within the system.

Li Shu was stunned.

At first, I was only thinking about solving the case and never considered this aspect.

Thinking about it now, it seems pretty good.

Just as Wang Ze'an said, if it really works out, it would indeed be a very good qualification.

"The key question is whether the project can be approved," Li Shu asked rhetorically.

Wang Ze'an agreed quite quickly, even saying he was willing to provide funding. Did you tell Liu Yaoqing about that?

"Don't worry, it'll be fine."

Wang Ze'an smiled and said, "Not to mention that your idea itself has high research value, just considering how much Director Liu likes you, I think there's no problem with it."

"And I'm also benefiting from your help this time. This project is quite significant. If it's successful, I should be a shoo-in for promotion to associate researcher."

The more he thought about it, the more he realized that this was not a simple task.

Based on the groundwork laid by Li Shu, using mathematical models to deduce the suspect's residence using the location of the center of the circle is already a valuable research achievement and a remarkable theoretical breakthrough.

At this point, his eyes lit up, and he said, "Li Shu, I told you about upgrading from junior college to university before, and I think now is a great opportunity. There's a research topic like this, so why don't you just give up correspondence courses and stay in Anjing?"

"It's only three years. After you finish your studies at the Public University and get your degree, you can come directly to our institute."

"If you choose the technical route, there's no better starting point in the whole country than our institute. And you like solving cases, right? That's even simpler. The cases our institute handles are all major national-level cases."

Li Shudao said, "Brother Wang, you're making it sound too easy."

The Second Research Institute? Graduates from the Public University can just get in like that?

There's also the issue of upgrading from a junior college diploma to a bachelor's degree.

If you're taking a correspondence course, Li Shu thinks it's fine. If you go through Liu Yaoqing's connections, it'll be a good thing no matter how you look at it.

Is it possible to stay in Beijing full-time and pursue studies there?

Li Shu felt it wasn't appropriate for him to work in Nanjiang, as he had only been there a short time.

Not to mention that according to Wang Ze'an's plan, after completing his undergraduate degree, he would go directly to the Second Research Institute and not return to Nanjiang. Wouldn't that mean Nanjiang would be left with nothing?

Wang Ze'an said, "For others, that would definitely be difficult and not easy, but it's different for you."

He nodded at Li Shu.

To be honest, Li Shu's ability in fingerprint comparison is at an expert level.

And this current research project, once it yields results, will be a top-tier resume, making it incredibly easy to get into the Second Research Institute.

Li Shuzhen was truly moved.

People strive for higher positions, and this is, after all, the Second Research Institute—a bright and promising path.

But abandoning Nanjiang like this feels inappropriate.

That's my hometown after all.

Just like Zhang Xin, who made forensic portraits, he became famous overnight last year. If we're talking about staying in the ministry, it probably wouldn't be too difficult for him.

But she still went back to Matsuura.

"Brother Wang, this matter isn't urgent. Let me think about it some more. Right now, we should focus on solving the case first," Li Shu said.

The case is the key.

the next day.

Wang Ze'an wasn't exaggerating; when he explained the situation to Liu Yaoqing, Liu Yaoqing was genuinely interested.

Bringing together a young, brilliant mathematics student like Geng Zheng from Peking University to conduct this kind of research is a rare and excellent opportunity.

Moreover, the research topic is also suitable for the Second Research Institute, which itself has theoretical research on crime patterns.

They could even bring in the public sector.

Originally, the Open University of Taiwan was one of the earliest institutions in China to study criminology, and in the past two years, it has even started offering graduate programs in criminology.

Therefore, Liu Yaoqing truly supports this research project.

As for funding, when has the Second Research Institute ever lacked funding?

Since it involves theoretical research, it doesn't require much funding.

He never expected that the theoretical basis for this topic was actually proposed by Li Shu.

"Li Shu, you've impressed me once again."

In the office, Liu Yaoqing looked Li Shu up and down, his eyes full of admiration.

The idea of ​​leaving Li Shu at the Second Research Institute, which Liu Xinfeng had mentioned earlier, became strong again.

However, he wasn't in a hurry; solving the case was the priority right now.

With Liu Yaoqing nodding, the project was officially approved.

Li Shu didn't need to worry about what to do next.

The idea has been proposed; how to implement it is up to Geng Zheng and his team.

Wang Ze'an took care of how to coordinate the efforts, how to mobilize manpower for investigation, and how to collect data.

Li Shu was still busy piecing together fingerprints, waiting for their results.

I told Tan Ligang before that it would be about two or three days later, and the prediction was accurate.

On the fourth day of starting the fingerprint puzzle, Li Shu completed all the work.

in the office.

Liu Yaoqing picked up the horseshoe-shaped mirror and carefully examined the fingerprints that Li Shu had pieced together.

There are five in total, all of them are incomplete.

The index finger is the most severely damaged, with only about one-third of the original finger remaining.

Only a paltry five features could be extracted.

A single finger has over a hundred distinctive features.

But what could Liu Yaoqing say?

He looked at the 27 fingerprints extracted from the bicycle, and after looking at them, he had only one feeling: his scalp tingled and he was completely clueless.

It's already incredible that Li Shu managed to piece together five fingerprints from these incomplete and blurry ones.

Putting down the photos, Liu Yaoqing asked, "Li Shu, do you think we should compare them directly, or wait for Academician Shi's side?"

Compared to the previous partitioned comparison method, which involved modifying the entire logical framework of the comparison software—a major overhaul—this software adjustment is relatively much easier.

It's essentially just a slight change: turning serial retrieval into parallel retrieval.

In addition, Liu Weikun and his team are working like crazy, staying up all night to write code. It is said that the progress is very fast and it will be completed in the next two days.

"Let's compare them first, using the partition comparison method. If we just leave them uncompared after piecing them together, I'll get anxious," Li Shu said.

Liu Yaoqing laughed and said, "That's what I think too."

After finally extracting and piecing together the fingerprints, we have to compare them first and see the results.

He immediately got up; he wanted to go along.

The Ministry's AFIS system is not located in the Second Institute, but in the First Institute.

One of them is dedicated to researching police equipment.

Compared to the equipment in Nanjiang, the equipment set at the First Institute is better configured.

There's also a storage array, which is ridiculously placed in a separate server room.

The Nanjiang fingerprint database contains hundreds of thousands of fingerprints.

Matsuura was involved in the Kenfeng Hotel case, which involved a scale of 500,000 yen.

Ankyo is the capital city with a large population, and its city bureau's fingerprint database is at a similar level to that of Matsuura.

But things are different in the ministry.

In the early days of the People's Republic of China, the Ministry established a criminal fingerprint management system. For prisoners, each province and city was required to report their information level by level, and the information was then collected and archived by the Ministry.

This year, the number has reached over nine million, approaching ten million.

When local authorities encounter major cases that require fingerprint comparison, they will pass the requests up the chain of command to the Ministry for comparison.

It's because the department has the most complete records of inmates.

With the domestically developed AFIS system in place, the ministry also began to establish a fingerprint database.

However, due to the cost of storage hard drives, only fingerprint records from recent years were recorded first.

This is quite a large scale, amounting to over two million.

Based on descriptions from many witnesses, the suspect is not old, estimated to be around thirty years old.

At this age, if he has a criminal record or has served time in prison, he would definitely be in the fingerprint database of two million fingerprints.