The Forensic Doctor Better Than a Detective

The four of them simultaneously turned around, looking toward the stretch of forest that extended into the distance.

Sunlight filtered through the sparse branches and leaves, with a faint scent of earth and grass floating in the air.

Zhang Yean said, ”I just checked the map, and if we go through the grove and the lawn, there is indeed a road behind called Xingye Road, which usually has a lot of traffic.”

Jiang An nodded, picking up from there and said, ”That’s right.”

”So we will advance in this direction next, spreading out in a straight line to ensure we don’t miss any shrubs, hollows, or anything else.”

”Pay special attention to any footprints, discarded items, or broken branches, or any compacted soil—even a vague half-footprint could be a crucial clue.”

”Understood!”

They spread out in sequence, like a slow-moving barrier, carefully advancing into the forest.

Meanwhile, in the multimedia conference room of the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau, every seat was already taken.

Long and short cameras were set up in the last row, their lenses coldly aimed at the podium.

The reporters below were whispering to each other, discussing the double homicide that had occurred less than half a day ago.

Suddenly, there was a commotion, and everyone simultaneously quieted down.

Mr Li, wearing a neatly pressed police uniform with imposing epaulets, walked steadily toward the podium.

He scanned the room with piercing eyes, then raised his hand to signal.

”Everyone, please be quiet.”

The room fell silent instantly, with only the soft clicking of camera shutters breaking the silence.

”The press conference is now starting.”

He cleared his throat, his voice echoing through the microphone across the entire room.

”First, on behalf of the Jiangcheng Public Security Bureau, I thank all the media friends for their attention and support for our work.”

He paused briefly, his tone gradually deepening: ”This case has occurred for less than 12 hours, yet you all rushed to the scene and started reporting immediately.”

”I am... ’surprised’ by this.”

He emphasized the last two words, his voice carrying a meaning that was not misunderstood.

A few veteran reporters exchanged knowing glances.

Mr Li continued with a solemn tone, ”Currently, this case has resulted in the deaths of two people, and our criminal investigation team has fully initiated the homicide investigation mechanism.”

”Scene investigation, autopsy, surrounding visits, video retrieval—multiple investigative tasks are being carried out simultaneously and intensely.”

”Please rest assured, as well as the citizens of Jiangcheng: we have the ability, the responsibility, and the confidence to bring the suspect to justice and give the victims justice!”

After the brief report, he lifted his head, his gaze sweeping across the room like a scanner:

”Now, does anyone have any questions?”

Upon hearing this, the media reporters below instantly buzzed with activity, many whispering and discussing.

”What substantial information can come from this kind of press conference?”

”It’s all superficial talk; there’s not even a catchy headline!”

”Not only short video bloggers and electronic media, but even self-media find it too ’watery’—it’s all official speak, no substantial content, who would watch it if released?”

Amid the murmuring, a girl with a ponytail and a crisp outfit sitting in the third row suddenly raised her hand.

The staff quickly stepped forward to hand her the microphone.

She took the microphone, her voice clear and steady: ”Mr Li, thank you for your introduction just now.”

”I’m a reporter from West Street Media, primarily producing short video news programs for the night segments.”

”I have a question I’d like to ask you.”

Mr Li nodded slightly, his tone calm, ”Please go ahead.”

”We’d like to understand, what exactly is the relationship between the two deceased in this case?”

”There are rumors that they were once married; have they divorced?”

”Additionally, is the current judgment that it was a suicide pact, or is there another hidden aspect, like an accident or another possibility?”

Once the question was asked, the scene quieted down a bit.

Many reporters discreetly raised their heads, stretching their recorders towards the front, all waiting for a response.

Mr Li thought for a moment, crossing his hands in front of him, his tone still steady and official.

”This journalist friend, you have raised very key questions that indeed touch on the core information of our current investigation.”

”However, unfortunately, due to the confidentiality stage of the ongoing investigation, related details cannot be disclosed for now.”

”Once there is a significant breakthrough in the investigation, we will notify the public through official channels at the first opportunity.”

The female reporter, upon hearing this, had a hint of undisguised disappointment flash across her face.

She lightly pressed her lips together but ultimately handed the microphone back to the staff courteously.

At that moment, another middle-aged male reporter with black-framed glasses and a shirt quickly stood up and took the microphone.

”Mr Li, hello, I’m a reporter from Jiangcheng Daily.”

”We’d like to know if the current investigation direction of this case has been clarified?”

”What is the motive behind the suspect’s actions?”

”Additionally, there is a clue indicating that the suspect might be a local; is that true?”

”Furthermore, the motorcycle found at the scene, is it a tool used for the crime, or was it used to transport the bodies?”

Before he finished speaking, there was already a rustle of note-taking and low exclamations from the audience—each question accurately hit the core of public concern.

In the face of this barrage of quick-fire questions, the corners of Mr Li’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly, but he quickly regained his usual calm demeanor.

He cleared his throat, speaking into the dense array of microphones and cameras before him, his tone steady yet firm: ”Ladies and gentlemen of the media, I apologize.”

”The case is currently in a crucial stage of investigation, and more details cannot be disclosed yet. Please be patient and wait for official announcements.”

As soon as he finished speaking, more reporters from the back row impatiently stood up, their questions still sharply targeting the core of the case—investigative progress, evidence collection details, technical means...

But no matter how others attempted to ask indirectly or reframe their questions, Mr Li always had a Tai Chi-like approach, smiling while answering impeccably, neither revealing substantive information nor allowing the scene to become awkward.

In fact, even before entering this press conference, Mr Li had already put up a mental defense.

Years ago, when he was still at the forefront of criminal investigation leading teams into the fray, he had suffered at the hands of the media—some reporters would blow things out of proportion.

You reported honestly one part, and they could dramatize it to ten parts, adding fuel and vinegar, and once public opinion fermented, the golden window for solving the case might just be delayed.

What’s more worrying is that the news might not only be seen by the general public, but also by the suspect hiding in the dark.

They are taking advantage of the news coverage, watching like it’s ’police real-time dynamic live streaming,’ adjusting strategies, destroying evidence, or even fleeing early.

Mr Li had swallowed this bitter experience, and the whole team had shared the burden.

Now, commanding from above, he could not repeat such failures, nor let the efforts of his brothers go in vain due to improper information leakage.

At this moment! In the bleak little forest in the suburbs, Jiang An, Wan, Qin Feng, and Zhang Yean were bending over, inch by inch, conducting the scene investigation.

Soil, weeds, broken branches... no minute trace was overlooked.

Sweat dripped down along their temples, yet no one complained, everyone concentrated intently.

More than two hours later, they finally emerged from the woods.

A relatively narrow concrete road stretched before them, leading toward the distance.

On both sides of the road were vast fields, with a few scattered crooked trees, the wind blowing, stirring up a swirl of dust.

The four of them stood by the roadside, momentarily bewildered.

Wan put his hands on his hips, looking left and right, unable to help uttering, ”Wow, there are too many branches here!”

”There’s one to the east and one to the west, where do we even start searching?”

Qin Feng squinted, gazing into the distance, replying, ”And this area... doesn’t seem like it has surveillance; we haven’t noticed any cameras.”

Jiang An didn’t speak, just silently observed the boundary between the road and the fields on both sides.

A few seconds later, he calmly spoke, ”The main road might not have surveillance, but that doesn’t mean key areas don’t.”

”These rural roads usually have surveillance at entry points or intersections with main roads.”

”Since he chose to flee from here, he couldn’t have vanished into thin air.”

Zhang Yean nodded, ”Makes sense! As long as during the time of the crime, any car or person passed by, or some camera incidentally caught something—we’re not far from pinpointing him then!”

”Let’s go!” Jiang An decisively turned around, ”There’s no time to lose, let’s immediately go back to apply for the surveillance footage!”