The crackdown on organized crime began with the arrest of the mother-in-law.

Chapter 1482: No Progress

At this time, the team members in charge of the investigation reported that no one had gone missing in Zhangjiagou Village and the surrounding villages recently. However, in Lijia'ao Village, which is about five kilometers away from Zhangjiagou Village, some villagers reported that they had seen a strange man and a strange woman around the river ten days ago. The man was about 1.8 meters tall, thin, and wearing a dark coat. The woman was about 1.6 meters tall and wearing a light-colored top. The two drove a black SUV and left after staying for about half an hour. The specific license plate number was not clear.

"This clue is very important; it basically matches our deduced characteristics of the perpetrators and vehicle information!" Upon seeing the report, Li Ming immediately convened an emergency meeting with his team members. "Go to Lijia'ao Village immediately and conduct detailed inquiries with the villagers who reported the situation to verify the physical characteristics, clothing, and vehicle details of the unfamiliar man and woman. At the same time, check the surveillance footage in and around Lijia'ao Village to track the driving trajectory of the black SUV. Based on the vehicle model, investigate black SUVs in the surrounding area, focusing on whether the owner's information matches the male's DNA profile."

After the meeting, each group acted swiftly. Xiao Yang and Xiao Sun returned to the crime scene and, based on the villagers' reports, re-examined the surrounding area, focusing on checking for any missed traces or physical evidence. They also verified the perpetrators' walking routes and vehicle parking locations to further refine the crime's trajectory. "The villagers said the two men stayed for about half an hour, which suggests they may have scouted the area beforehand or stayed for a while to clean up the scene after committing the crime. We'll carefully check the area around the parked vehicles again to see if there are any other items left behind," Xiao Yang said.

The two returned to the location of the tire tracks on the riverbank and carefully shone their searchlights on the surrounding rocks and weeds. Behind a concealed rock, they discovered a loose earring. The earring was silver, simply designed, and showed slight signs of oxidation, suggesting it was a woman's accessory. "This earring was likely left behind by a female perpetrator. It was hidden by rocks during our previous investigation and we didn't notice it," said Xiao Sun. He carefully extracted the earring and placed it in an evidence bag. "We'll extract DNA and fingerprints from the earring and compare them with the previously collected clues to confirm whether it was left by a female perpetrator."

Subsequently, the two discovered a small amount of light-colored fibrous material in the weeds around the tire tracks, consistent with the villagers' description of a woman wearing a light-colored top. "We extracted the light-colored fibers and sent them to the lab for compositional analysis, comparing them with the previously extracted black fibers to confirm whether they were left by the same person or different people," Xiao Yang said. After further investigation, the two also extracted an earring and several more light-colored fibers, further enriching the evidence.

The following morning, the lab returned with the remaining test results: a female DNA profile was found on the earring, which was unrelated to the male DNA profile on the cigarette butt, leading to the preliminary conclusion that it was left by two separate perpetrators; the light-colored fiber was a synthetic material, originating from a light-colored top, unlike the black fiber, confirming the hypothesis that the perpetrators were a man and a woman; the metal button was identified as a button from a niche brand of jackets from ten years ago, a brand that has since ceased production; and the key was identified by lock experts as an old-fashioned warehouse door lock key, commonly found in abandoned factories or private warehouses in the suburbs.

Based on all the test results and clues from the visits, Li Ming adjusted the direction of the investigation again: "First, focusing on a niche brand jacket from ten years ago and an old-fashioned warehouse key, investigate abandoned factories, private warehouses and surrounding residents in the suburbs, with a focus on people who own that brand of jacket or possess such keys; second, focusing on the black SUV and the physical characteristics of the two perpetrators, expand the scope of the surveillance investigation, track the vehicle's route from Lijia'ao Village to the crime scene, and the escape route after the crime; third, combining male and female DNA typing, check the database for prior offenders and relatives of missing persons to see if there is any matching information; fourth, issue a notice for assistance, attaching the characteristics of the perpetrators, vehicle information and photos of the items left behind, and solicit clues from the public."

The investigation was fully underway. Team members divided into multiple groups, venturing deep into the suburban areas to search abandoned factories and private warehouses one by one, interviewing nearby residents, checking vehicle information, comparing DNA data, and simultaneously coordinating with public security organs in various regions to disseminate notices for assistance. Xiao Yang and Xiao Sun were responsible for summarizing and analyzing all clues, combining on-site investigation traces and test results to continuously refine the profile of the perpetrators, clarify the modus operandi, and ensure the orderly progress of the investigation.

Although the suspect's identity has not yet been confirmed, the investigation is becoming increasingly clear as clues are gradually pieced together and test results are refined. Xiao Yang and Xiao Sun understand that every piece of evidence collected at the scene is a key to the truth. By maintaining a rigorous and meticulous work ethic and leaving no stone unturned, they are confident they can identify the suspect, uncover the truth, and bring justice to the deceased.

Over the next few days, the investigation continued, with new leads constantly emerging. Although most leads were ruled out after verification, some provided crucial support for solving the case. Xiao Yang and Xiao Sun remained steadfast at their posts, monitoring the verification of each lead, analyzing every test result, and constantly adjusting their investigation strategy based on details of the on-site investigation, steadily progressing towards identifying the suspect.

The on-site investigation at Zhangjiagou River Dam initially faced difficulties due to the victim's unknown identity and a lack of leads on suspects. However, through the professional and meticulous investigation by Xiao Yang and Xiao Sun, they extracted several crucial clues, including tire tracks, footprints, DNA, fibers, and other remains, laying a solid foundation for subsequent case solving. All members of the Criminal Investigation Detachment will continue to remain steadfast in their posts, dedicating themselves fully to uncovering the mystery of the case and bringing the perpetrator to justice, relying on their professional abilities and rigorous attitude.

As night fell, the investigation and control work at the Zhangjiagou River embankment crime scene continued, while the forensic identification vehicle carrying the deceased's body steadily drove towards the Municipal Criminal Investigation Detachment's Forensic Identification Center. Inside the vehicle, forensic pathologist Zhang Lin was intently examining the preliminary preservation of the body, while his assistant, Xiao Lin, held a notebook, ready to record crucial information at any moment. Zhang Lin has been working as a forensic pathologist for twelve years, specializing in autopsies and determining the cause and time of death. He has handled hundreds of complex cases, and his rigorous professional attitude and accurate identification skills have provided crucial support for solving numerous cases. "The body is initially well-preserved, but the surface is covered with a thick layer of silt. It needs to be cleaned first before proceeding with the autopsy," Zhang Lin instructed Xiao Lin while examining the body. "Pay attention to preserving any trace substances attached to the body surface, especially residue in clothing seams and under fingernails, as these may be directly related to the case."