The Forensic Doctor Better Than a Detective

Early the next morning, as the sky started to lighten, Wan led a team to set off in search of Li Shan’s old acquaintance, Wu Yan.

Their goal this time was very clear: to find personal items used by Li Shan during her lifetime.

According to the principles of modern DNA technology, as long as sufficient biological samples containing DNA can be extracted from these items.

For instance, from Li Shan’s used toothbrush, comb, towel, and so on, even if ten or fifteen days, or even as long as a year has passed, as long as the shed cells or biological traces on the carriers are well-preserved, it is entirely possible to successfully extract effective DNA components.

Tracing and confirming the deceased’s identity through personal items is an extremely important clue in current criminal investigation and identity identification.

Of course, other than these personal daily items, if it is possible to directly obtain blood samples from the deceased’s immediate family members - such as parents, conducting a DNA comparison through familial relations is also a reliable and efficient method of confirmation.

But at the moment, in situations where family members are not present or cannot be contacted timely, finding personal items used by the deceased during their lifetime becomes the most direct and crucial breakthrough point.

At 8:30 in the morning, Wan and two colleagues arrived at Yifan Advertising Company located in the center of Jiangcheng.

The glass door slowly opened, the lights in the reception area were soft and bright.

A young receptionist was sorting through documents and looked up when she heard footsteps.

Wan stepped forward steadily, took out his credentials from his pocket, and said in a calm and clear tone, ”Hello, we are police officers from the Jiangcheng City Criminal Investigation Team, and we’d like to see someone named Wu Yan from your company. Is she in?”

The receptionist girl was slightly stunned, then showed a look of sudden realization: ”Oh, you’re looking for Sister Yan?”

”She’s inside, go right to the end, the third office is hers.”

”Okay, thank you.”

Wan nodded to indicate understanding, then exchanged a glance with his colleagues, and the three of them walked inside in unison.

On either side of the corridor were neat rows of workstations and frosted glass partitioned offices. The faint sound of keyboards clacking and low-voiced discussions could be heard.

They stopped at the door of the third office. Wan raised his hand and knocked three times, not too lightly, not too heavily.

”Come in.”

A clean and crisp female voice came from inside.

They pushed the door open and saw a woman with a ponytail, wearing light gray professional attire, looking up from her computer screen.

She appeared to be in her early thirties, focused, with a pen without a cap in hand.

Wan once again showed his police credentials and spoke in a steady and polite manner, ”Hello, are you Ms. Wu Yan?”

”We are officers from the Jiangcheng City Public Security Bureau Criminal Investigation Team. We came today to ask you for some information, hoping not to disturb your work.”

Wu Yan was visibly taken aback for a moment and gently placed the pen on the documents on the table.

There was a flicker of imperceptible nervousness in her eyes, her lips slightly pressed together, but she quickly returned to a composed expression.

This reaction was actually quite natural.

Anyone facing an unexpected visit from the police would inevitably have an instinctive sense of alertness and nervousness at that moment.

It was precisely this nervousness that seemed all the more real and reasonable.

Wan’s expression was serious as he spoke in a slightly lower voice, ”Of course, this matter doesn’t have a direct connection with you, so you don’t need to be nervous.”

”We came this time to learn about your old friend - Li Shan’s situation through you.”

Upon hearing this, a trace of confusion and curiosity flashed across Wu Yan’s face as she leaned forward slightly and asked, ”Li Shan? Has she been found?”

”I haven’t been able to contact her recently, and her family said they haven’t heard from her for several months.”

Wan gestured for her to sit down and said in a calm tone, ”Let’s take it slowly.”

Then, Wan continued to explain the purpose of the visit, ”We are currently investigating a case where an unidentified female body was discovered.”

”Based on the existing clues, we are initially speculating that it might be Li Shan.”

”Today, we’re here specifically hoping to go to the place where you both used to live together to look for the personal items she left behind, to assist us in further identity confirmation.”

Wu Yan was momentarily stunned, then responded, ”Personal items... oh, her things should still be there.”

”We previously shared a two-bedroom apartment, and she left abruptly without saying where she was going.”

”I haven’t touched the room since and didn’t rent it out to anyone else either.”

Wan nodded and said, ”That’s great.”

”Would you be able to take us back there now?”

”We would like to take some of her frequently used items, like a comb or toothbrush, for DNA testing to determine if that body is indeed her.”

Without hesitation, Wu Yan agreed.

”No problem, I’ll go and ask my supervisor for leave right away.”

”This matter is extremely important, and I will do my best to cooperate.”

”We both came out from a small place and supported each other up to now, I really didn’t expect something like this to happen to her...”

”As her best friend and old acquaintance, this is what I should do.”

Then she quickly walked out of the office.

In less than a minute, she hurried back with a slightly urgent expression, ”Officer, I’ve taken my leave, I’ll accompany you to her place right away.”

About half an hour later, the group drove into the residential area where they lived, ”Binjiang Upper City.”

After getting out of the car, they took the elevator straight up to the seventeenth floor, arriving at door number 3.

Wu Yan took out the key and opened the door.

As soon as the door opened, a hint of embarrassment flashed across her face as she softly explained, ”I’m really sorry, I’ve been busy with work, living here alone, and haven’t tidied up much, so it’s a bit messy.”