National Forensic Doctor
Chapter 488 - 488 448 Achieving Merits

488: Chapter 448: Achieving Merits 488: Chapter 448: Achieving Merits The serial killer case was solved, and Changyang City Criminal Police Detachment celebrated as if it were a festival.

Detectives, who relied on logic to do their jobs, understood very clearly that with cases like serial murders, if they failed to solve them, no matter the season, time, or celestial bodies, there would be no more holidays ever again.

Unsolved cases weren’t scary.

The requirement that all homicide cases must be solved had also loosened in recent years, especially in provincial capitals as large as this one, where it was unreasonable to force a 100% case clearance rate.

However, the terror of a serial killer case lies in the fact that as long as you don’t solve it, the killer will keep committing crimes relentlessly until you discover and arrest them.

They may stop in between, but that’s their choice – maybe because they got caught for causing a traffic accident, maybe because they got married, had a child, or were accidentally injured or died.

The problem is that you don’t know the circumstances, and at any moment, they could reoffend because of some trigger.

For the police, such killers are absolute nightmares—specifically those capable of evading arrest.

Most who fancy becoming serial killers are just simple and weak perverts, and most never show their serial killer traits.

They may get caught after killing their first victim.

Catching a serial killer who killed three people in one go and had involved Xu Taining and Jiang Yuan was truly a relief.

The director himself was greatly reassured, and the very next day after approving the arrest, the “Changyang Evening News” published the report.

Next came the interviews and reports from the satellite TV station, which edited the previously captured materials and released what could be shown, highlighting the team and featuring individuals like Yu Wenshu and Jiang Yuan.

For the average police officer, this was quite a high-profile report.

However, Jiang Yuan didn’t care too much about it.

Those who crave fame are the ones without money, hoping that with fame, they will gain attention and wealth.

As a person from Jiang Village, Jiang Yuan had enough of being the center of attention.

If he wanted, there were plenty of opportunities for media coverage.

By comparison, he was more excited about the award ceremony in Changyang City.

Indeed, the merit evaluation from Luyang City had not yet been approved, but in Changyang City, they were ready to be awarded as soon as the case was closed, a true reflection of the different levels between cities.

By the weekend, Huang Qiangmin had rushed over to Changyang City.

To witness two detectives from Ningtai County being awarded second-class and third-class merits respectively.

Jiang Yuan received the second-class merit.

Mu Zhiyang received the third-class merit.

Jiang Yuan truly deserved his second-class merit; after all, it was achieved through his Level 6 skills, and he practically pulled out the serial killer all by himself, saving Changyang City a substantial amount of money.

The director was so happy he might even dream with a smile on his face.

Mu Zhiyang’s third-class merit was also well-deserved.

His head was wrapped with layers upon layers of bandages, looking quite severe.

No one would dare say that a detective who was injured in the line of duty wasn’t worth a third-class merit.

The U.S.

military even has a Purple Heart to acknowledge wounds received in battle.

Mu Zhiyang, a detective from Ningtai County who traveled thousands of miles to Changyang City to help with the local case and fought bravely on the front lines, deserved a third-class merit for his gallantry.

When the two were receiving their awards, the crowd below was full of cheers and laughter.

Moreover, in addition to the two of them, several other detectives from Changyang City received awards, not necessarily for this case.

The merits accumulated before could now be cashed in.

After stepping down from the stage with his second-class merit medal, Jiang Yuan’s system interface popped up:

Criminal Image Technology (LV2) +

Document Examination Technology (LV2) +

Trace Inspection Technology (LV2) +

Biological Evidence Technology (LV2) +

…

After the award ceremony, the skills that could be chosen were optional, and Jiang Yuan had looked through the entire list several times already.

Jiang Yuan’s gaze wandered for a moment, without making an immediate decision.

His current skills were sufficient to handle normal cases.

If he really encountered a case that he couldn’t solve in the future, it would only show that his arsenal was lacking, and he could make a choice then.

While his mind was racing, people from the police community everywhere came to meet him.

As the provincial capital, any event in Changyang City was immediately known throughout the province.

For the police community within the province, the serial murder case had absolutely top-level attention.

In terms of case difficulty, such cases were only higher, not lower, than ordinary homicides or backlogged cases.

The process of Jiang Yuan’s investigation had also proven this point.

What bizarre methods!

Nails make no damn difference!

The prosecutors in charge of this case might as well have had their hair pulled out!

And yet, the case was solved.

Under such circumstances, said or unsaid, Jiang Yuan’s fame had instantly inflated.

After all, what people secretly enjoyed was the bizarre methods.

Some officers who knew Jiang Yuan, especially the captains of various detective squads, would greet him twice when they saw him and chat a bit more.

Huang Qiangmin was directly squatting behind Jiang Yuan, taking the opportunity now and then to stand out and chat with colleagues who might not understand the nuances…

The banquet hall was filled with an atmosphere of joy.

Li Ting changed into a smart shirt and skirt ensemble, her smile radiant as she approached Jiang Yuan, pretending to interview him.

She extended an empty hand toward him and laughed, “Comrade Jiang Yuan, how are you feeling now?”

“Ha, I thought you were actually going to interview me,” Jiang Yuan said, noticing there was no photographer following Li Ting.

“We are from the satellite TV station.

You’re lucky if you get 5 seconds of airtime today,” Li Ting said half-jokingly, observing Jiang Yuan’s expression.

Having been a police officer for so long, Jiang Yuan’s keenness had naturally heightened.

He asked, “Is something the matter?”

“Yes, there’s something.

I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to talk about it,” Li Ting’s expression became a bit more serious.

Seeking out a police officer for good news?

Jiang Yuan scoffed, “Judge for yourself.

I can’t make any guarantees for you.”

Li Ting’s expression faltered, then she smoothed her hair and laughed, “Captain Jiang, you really are cold-hearted.

We just had dinner together at the same table a couple of days ago.”

“Criminal cases usually end up with a meal behind bars,” Jiang Yuan remarked.

Li Ting quickly said, “You misunderstood, I’m not asking for leniency on any particular case…”

Jiang Yuan glanced in the direction of the banquet hall’s entrance.

Some of the attendees were already leaving, and he was also planning to leave.

Seeing this, Li Ting had no choice but to bite the bullet and said, “Captain Jiang, please wait.

I have a friend who asked for a favor.

His elder relative has been kidnapped.

The kidnappers demanded a large ransom and ordered no police involvement…”

Jiang Yuan’s eyes shifted back to her, “They didn’t call the police?

When did this happen?”

“This morning.

They reached out to me at noon, knowing that I often cover police news, in hopes I could help.

They wanted to see if there was a safer way to resolve this matter,” Li Ting paused, then added, “After thinking it over, I believe that if you, Captain Jiang, handle this case, it would be the best option.”

She had quite imperceptibly flattered Jiang Yuan.

However, considering the case, Li Ting’s consideration was exceedingly thorough.

Although she also knew Director Huang and Chief Yu, she wasn’t actually well-acquainted with either of them, and given their higher ranks, let alone the likelihood they wouldn’t keep it confidential, even if they were willing to keep the case secret to solve it, they wouldn’t personally take action.

Eventually, they would still have to hand the case down to a specific executive officer.

In Li Ting’s view, it was better to find Jiang Yuan.

On the one hand, Jiang Yuan had his own team, capable of independently investigating cases while keeping the circle of those in the know as small as possible.

On the other hand, Jiang Yuan himself was from outside Ningtai County and didn’t have deep contacts in Changyang City, which, to some degree, meant he could maintain confidentiality.

Li Ting had learned about some kidnapping cases.

Although some were perfectly resolved, there were cases where unstable kidnappers killed the victims during, or even at the start of, the ordeal.

If that were to happen, it would be terribly tragic for the victim’s family.

Jiang Yuan turned to face Li Ting and said, “By coming to me, you’ve already called the police.”

“I understand, but please help me.

See if you can limit knowledge of the case to within your team,” Li Ting paused, then without any further attempt to hide her plea, she looked around and whispered, “The victim is in the frozen food business, with a company worth nine figures.

You could get involved in a private capacity…”

“I don’t need money.

Wait a moment, I’ll get Director Huang over here,” Jiang Yuan said as he glanced around and signaled to Huang Qiangmin nearby with his eyes.

Director Huang’s expression fell, and he frowned as he approached, “This isn’t a love story, is it?”

Li Ting was too late to intercept and could only offer a smile to Huang Qiangmin, “Director Huang, I’m Li Ting from San Nan Satellite TV.”

“Hello, hello.

Is there a case?” Huang Qiangmin’s sharp intuition kicked in.

If it were anything else, Jiang Yuan wouldn’t have called him over.

Jiang Yuan didn’t bother with Li Ting, nodding his head and asked, “A kidnapping case.

Where did it happen?”

The latter question, he directed at Li Ting.

“Hongmen Market.” By now, Li Ting couldn’t maintain her façade.

Hongmen Market was a large wholesale market in the southern part of Changyang City.

Director Huang said, “This is a case for Changyang.

Changyang’s people, a crime occurred within Changyang’s jurisdiction…”

Li Ting coquettishly pleaded, “Director Huang…

please help.

Just let Captain Jiang take a look…”

After pondering for a moment, Director Huang said, “I’ll have a word with Chief Yu.

Don’t worry, it won’t affect the situation here.”

Li Ting, however reluctant, could only watch as the circle of those in the know expanded.

She understood in her heart that the moment the victim’s family reached out to her, the notion of not calling the police was merely self-deception.

“Alright.

Let’s go,” Director Huang said after speaking a few words with someone, then returned, leading Li Ting and Jiang Yuan out the door with a triumphant air.

Police detectives from other counties would be asking for trouble if they took on such a case, but the detectives from Ningtai County could handle it.

“Has Director Huang left?”

“He has.”

“Jiang Yuan is amazing!”

“Ningtai Jiang Yuan, ferocious and rampant!”

On their way, everyone, including detectives from other county police forces, greeted Huang Qiangmin and Jiang Yuan with even wider smiles.

Director Huang held his head even higher.