freenovelworld Chapter 1480 Suspect's Footprints?
Chapter 1480 Suspect's Footprints?
Xiao Yang discovered a set of blurry shoe prints in the mud around the body's feet. The prints resembled the male footprints previously found at the edge of the reeds, but due to erosion and weeds, only the general outline was discernible. "These shoe prints match the previously found male footprints, suggesting they were left by the same person, indicating the perpetrator had lingered near the body," Xiao Yang explained. He used photography to pinpoint the location of the shoe prints and then attempted to extract them using plaster. However, due to the blurred texture, only fragments of the print could be retrieved.
The two investigators extended their search along the shallows of the river upstream and downstream. About five meters upstream, they discovered a clear drag mark. The drag mark extended from the middle of the shallows into the reeds, measuring approximately eight meters in length and 50 centimeters in width. There were clear traces of movement in the silt, and the surrounding aquatic plants showed signs of breakage and collapse. The shape roughly matched that of the body. "The drag mark has irregular edges and obvious signs of pause, indicating that the dragging process was quite strenuous, possibly by a single person or multiple people working together."
Xiao Yang used a measuring tape to measure the length, width, and depth of the drag marks, recording them one by one in his investigation notebook. He also took photos of the drag marks from different angles, marking their direction and stopping points. Xiao Sun, meanwhile, investigated the area around the drag marks and found a scattered key at one of the stopping points. "There's a key here, made of iron, with rust on the surface. The key's teeth are intact; it's suspected to be a house key or a vehicle key." After photographing and securing the key, the two placed it in an evidence bag, sealed it, and stored it for later comparison and examination.
Continuing upstream for about ten meters, a set of tire tracks was found on a relatively calm, shallow beach. The tracks matched those previously found on the dirt road, but were slightly deformed due to the soft silt. "These tire tracks match those found on the dirt road, indicating that the vehicle used in the crime had reached the riverbank and may have stopped here to load or unload a body or tools used in the crime," said Xiao Yang, who measured and analyzed the tire tracks. "The tracks are about 2 centimeters deep, deeper than those on the dirt road, suggesting the vehicle was heavily loaded when it stopped. It cannot be ruled out that the vehicle was carrying a body or the perpetrators at the time."
Xiao Sun used plaster to fix and extract the tire tracks. Simultaneously, a small amount of black rubber particles, consistent with the tire material, were found in the surrounding mud. "We extracted the rubber particles and sent them to the lab for compositional analysis, comparing them with the tire material of the tire tracks to confirm whether they were left by the same vehicle," Xiao Sun explained. He placed the rubber particles in a micro-evidence bag and marked it. Subsequently, the two examined the area around the tire tracks and found several scattered stones with obvious crushing marks on their surfaces, corresponding to the tire tracks. A preliminary assessment indicated that the stones were formed when a vehicle was parked.
While investigating downstream, the two men discovered traces of what appeared to be a murder weapon about ten meters from the body. On a flat rock, there were clear marks of a sharp object, a slight dent on the surface, and traces of metal residue at the edges of the dent. "The dent on the rock surface is preliminarily determined to have been caused by the placement or impact of a knife. We extracted the metal residue from the dent and compared it with the metal residue previously extracted from the bluestone to confirm whether it was left by the same sharp object," Xiao Yang said. Xiao Sun immediately wiped the dent with a cotton swab, extracted the metal residue, and placed it in an evidence bag.
During the entire core area investigation, the two also conducted a comprehensive search of the surrounding reeds, weeds, and rocks, and collected a total of 3 suspected bloodstain samples, 2 black fibrous materials, 2 metal residues, 1 cigarette butt, 1 metal button, 1 key, and several rubber granules. They also fixed and extracted 2 plaster models of wheel imprints and 2 plaster models of footprints, took more than 200 on-site photos, drew 1 on-site investigation map, and recorded in detail the location, shape, size, and extraction method of each trace and physical evidence.
The investigation lasted for more than three hours, and it wasn't until around 11:00 AM that the investigation of the core area and surrounding areas was basically completed. Xiao Yang and Xiao Sun, carrying the collected trace evidence and investigation records, walked out of the cordon and reported the investigation situation to Li Ming. "Team Leader Li, the on-site investigation is preliminarily complete. Following the principle of 'from far to near,' from the dirt road to the riverbed and shallows, we discovered and collected various trace evidence. The specific details are as follows:" Xiao Yang opened the investigation record book and reported point by point.
"First, tire tracks were found in one set on the dirt road and another on the shallow riverbed. The tracks were consistent and preliminarily identified as belonging to a small truck or SUV. The tire treads were horizontal stripes, 18 centimeters wide. Plaster models and rubber granules have been extracted, and the specific vehicle type can be determined after laboratory analysis. Second, footprints were found in two sets. One set belonged to an adult male, shoe size 43, wearing diamond-patterned rubber-soled shoes, with a height of about 178-182 centimeters and a slender build. The other set belonged to an adult female, shoe size 37, wearing striped rubber-soled shoes, with a height of about 160-163 centimeters and a medium build. The two sets of footprints were consistent in direction, pointing to the location of the body. Plaster models and some trace materials have been extracted. Third, trace traces were found in three samples of suspected blood, two samples of black fiber, and two samples of metal residue. Preliminary tests showed that the blood was human blood, the fiber was suspected to be cotton or synthetic material, and the metal residue was suspected to be from a knife."
Xiao Yang paused for a moment, then continued his report: "Fourth, the items found: one cigarette butt, one metal button, and one key. The cigarette butt had fingerprints and saliva residue on it. The button was made of brass and did not belong to the deceased's clothing. The key is suspected to be a door or vehicle key. Fifth, other traces: one area with fallen weeds, one drag mark, and one sharp object scratch mark were found. The drag mark was about eight meters long, which matches the body size. The sharp object scratch mark is suspected to be left by the murder weapon. Bloodstains were distributed on the reed stems, corresponding to the location of the wound on the body's chest."
"The identity of the deceased is currently undetermined. The clothing was soaked in mud and contained no obvious identifying marks. No mobile phone, wallet, or other valuables were found on the body. Preliminary assessment indicates death by stab wound to the chest. The murder weapon is suspected to be a single-edged sharp weapon; further details await laboratory test results," Xiao Yang added. "No weapon was found at the scene. It cannot be ruled out that the perpetrator took the weapon after the crime or discarded it in the river. Further investigation and retrieval of the river are necessary. Additionally, the two sets of footprints and tire tracks are strongly correlated, suggesting that the perpetrators may have been a man and a woman, driving a small truck or SUV to the scene and dragging the body to the reeds to hide it after the crime."
Li Ming listened attentively to the report, his brows slightly furrowed, and then said, "Very good. The investigation was very thorough, and the trace evidence was collected effectively."