The Forensic Doctor Better Than a Detective

Moreover, the usually cautious Director Hou is standing right beside them without interrupting or questioning, which in itself adds weight to Jiang An’s inference.

Director Lu’s gaze lingers momentarily on Jiang An’s calm and serious expression, then slowly shifts to Director Hou, seemingly trying to capture more subtle attitudes from the face of this experienced superior.

Zhang Biao also looks in that direction, both of their eyes filled with exploration and anticipation.

As their gazes meet in the air, Director Hou doesn’t say much; he gives a subtle but affirmative nod.

This simple gesture seems calm but is like a stone thrown into a still lake — silently conveying approval of Jiang An’s preliminary judgment, which means that this clue has received initial investigatory support.

Sensing this silent approval, Jiang An elaborates further, ”Of course, I understand that making such an inference based on the existing data might seem rather bold and lacks direct evidence.”

”But returning to the case itself, when repeatedly simulating and deducing the motive and behavioral logic, there is always a strong intuition: the perpetrator’s behavior model transcends normal reasoning, and some characteristics present at the scene suggest actions under irrational or extreme emotional turmoil, which differ from typical premeditated crime.”

”Therefore, expanding the investigation to include individuals with a history of mental illness and geographical connections might be a way to break the current deadlock.”

At this point, Zhang Biao has recovered from initial shock, frowning as he voices a question lingering in his mind, ”Jiang An, previously in the case analysis meeting, most of us tended to believe this is a tragedy triggered by emotional conflict.”

”But regarding this Li Mountain, the data shows he is already over fifty, while the female victim is only in her twenties.”

”If they are to establish a connection from an emotional entanglement perspective, it seems lacking in reasonable intersection in terms of age, life trajectory, or social level.”

”Would considering this as the investigation direction contradict the fundamental aspects of the case we’ve already examined?”

Saying this, he drops his gaze back to the open files on the table, then looks up and asks, ”Can you provide me with more detailed background information on Li Mountain?”

Just as he finishes speaking, Director Hou takes over the conversation, his tone steady yet emphatic, ”Mr. Zhang, the concerns you’ve raised indeed align with conventional investigative thought, but perhaps we need to step outside the framework of traditional understanding in terms of emotional motives — today, many emotional relationships have long exceeded the limits of age itself.”

Zhang Biao frowns slightly, pondering, ”I understand this point. But doesn’t it seem too unusual, even somewhat abnormal in this case?”

Seeing this, Director Lu chuckles softly, inserting at the right moment, his voice wide and slightly enlightening, ”Zhang Biao, of course, criminal investigations need to follow steps and procedures, but sometimes the case demands us to break the stereotype of thought.”

”Just as Director Hou mentioned, the matter of emotions isn’t something that can be simply measured by age.”

”Between someone in their twenties and fifties, even if separated by thirty years, profound emotional connections can still be formed, potentially triggering extreme behavioral motives.”

Zhang Biao falls silent, his gaze lingering long on the materials on Li Mountain in hand.

For a moment, the room is quiet, with only the faint sound of traffic outside the window.

After some time, he slowly starts speaking, his tone much calmer than before, ”I understand what everyone means. The queries I raised are more of my personal professional habitual suspicions; as for the specific investigatory direction, I will follow the task force’s overall arrangement.”

”Director Hou, how to proceed with the subsequent work, please instruct.”

Director Hou nodded his head, explaining solemnly, ”This is not my personal subjective conclusion, but based on the behavioral psychological analysis Jiang An carried out earlier.”

”Since the establishment of the task force, we have not actually considered focusing on groups of psychiatric patients.”

”But the appearance of Li Mountain changes this — not only does he fit the psychological anomaly characteristics, but his residence is very close to the crime scene village.”

”This is crucial, as in rural crime geographical profiling, close-range crimes often point to suspects with geographical connections to the victim or the scene.”

”Adding to this, his mental illness becomes a variable; Li Mountain possesses the behavioral background and conditional possibility we need to focus on.”

”Therefore, I believe he should be listed as one of the primary targets for the next stage’s focus on investigation.”

After hearing Director Hou’s explanation, Director Lu and Zhang Biao look at each other, unable to find any reason to oppose.

This case investigation was directly assigned by the provincial department with specialized personnel intervening; if another mishap occurs, it would mean all the previous work thoughts and methods will need breaking out of convention and thoroughly reexamining.

In this context, any hesitation or delay might impact the overall situation.

Director Lu remains silent for a while, first expressing his stance, ”Director Hou is right, right now we must race against time.”

”Since that’s the case, we will immediately focus our energy on bringing in the man named Li Mountain for intensive interrogation.”

”To see if he is indeed guilty or innocent, we must expose him to find out.”

His tone was steady and resolute, revealing an indisputable determination.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Biao immediately follows up, ”Yes, Director.”

”I’ll gather the personnel right away and commence the arrest.”

”By the way, we just have a group of investigators conducting reconnaissance near Li Mountain’s residence, closest and quickest to respond.”

”I suggest deploying them as vanguards to initially control the subject, ensuring no escape opportunity.”

Director Lu nods in approval, ”Good, no delay.”

”Zhang Biao, immediately issue the directive, ensure Li Mountain is brought back safely and swiftly.”

Once the order is given, action is immediately taken.

Zhang Biao quickly connects with the front line reconnaissance team, who happens to be conducting a thorough canvas in Li Mountain’s residential area.

Upon receiving the directive, they act decisively, successfully controlling and bringing Li Mountain back to the criminal investigation team interrogation room in under 40 minutes.

Once everything is organized, Zhang Biao strides steadily into the office, stands to attention and reports to the waiting Director Lu and Director Hou, ”Director Lu, Director Hou, suspect Li Mountain has been successfully brought in, currently awaiting in the second-floor interrogation room.”

He pauses briefly, his eyes subtly shifting between the two leaders, continuing to request instructions, ”How should we proceed with the interrogation work, awaiting leadership guidance.”

Director Hou, hearing this, does not immediately respond but smiles and turns to Director Lu beside him, signaling with his eyes for the chief to decide.

After a brief contemplation, Director Lu opens with solemnity, ”My opinion is that this interrogation should be jointly handled by Captain Zhang Biao and Captain Jiang An.”

He further explains, ”Both are seasoned criminal investigation captains, not only with solid professional skills but also with long-standing partnership and familiarity, enhancing coordination.”

”This combination is also conducive to breaking through the suspect’s psychological defenses from different angles.”

Upon hearing this, Director Hou nods in agreement, raising a thumbs up and saying, ”The chief’s arrangement is thoroughly thoughtful!”

”Both criminal investigation captains on the front line not only raises the interrogation’s spec but full demonstrate the department’s high regard for solving this case.”

Zhang Biao smiles and humbly looks at Jiang An, who has been quietly listening beside him, and says, ”To be precise, my participation is to learn alongside Captain Jiang An.”

”He always has a method in interrogation strategy and conversation skills, I need to learn well.”

At this point, Jiang An slightly raises his mouth, his tone calm and firm, ”Since the leadership has deployed accordingly, the suspect is now in position, no time to waste.”

He pauses and continues, ”Captain Zhang and I will go down to meet with Li Mountain.”

”On one hand, verify his connection with the case, on the other, strive to open the situation, aiming to get him to truthfully confess, uncovering the clues behind.”

Just after speaking, the several individuals rise and walk briskly down the corridor towards the interrogation room.