The Forensic Doctor Better Than a Detective

At this moment, this friendly gesture and sincere speech is the most natural outpouring.

However, if time were to rewind to when Jiang An first arrived in Dongcheng City to assist in guiding this case, Director Lu’s heart was not completely unmoved.

In his view, although Jiang An had a reputation externally, he was still young—this field of criminal investigation always valued experience and depth the most.

As the saying goes, ”A person without facial hair cannot handle matters firmly,” in the realm of criminal investigation concerned with truth and human lives, this prudence is deeply ingrained in the bones of veteran investigators.

Criminal investigation is an extremely profound, even somewhat ”artistic” subject.

It certainly needs a solid theoretical framework as support, but it also relies heavily on the repeated honing and refinement of a wealth of practical experience.

True criminal investigation experts are often gradually forged through countless cases, and through silent confrontations with various types of criminals.

Without having gone through enough complex and significant cases for comprehensive honing, without seeking breakthroughs through peaks and valleys, it’s difficult to form intricate insights and intuitive judgments about criminal methods and suspects’ subtle psychology.

This is precisely why since the case occurred, despite many internal reviews and simulations, the critical bottleneck has remained unbroken.

Criminal investigation faces an ever-changing topic: every case is unique.

No matter how many past cases are solved, no matter how much experience is accumulated, when the N+1th case occurs, its location, process, involved relationships, victim’s background, and even every seemingly insignificant trace at the crime scene may vastly differ from previous ones, leading to entirely new logical chains.

As the ancient saying goes, there are no two identical leaves in the world, nor have there ever been two identical crimes in criminal investigation.

Even if the methods appear similar, the time, space, specific targets, and particular contexts of the crime ensure their unique nature must be reassessed.

As Director Lu thinks about these things, his actions are smooth and flowing.

He watches as the tea leaves unfurl in the pot, the tea gradually turning a clear golden hue, and then serves the freshly brewed tea to Jiang An and Director Hou first.

Seeing this, the two promptly stand up, accepting the tea with both hands, repeatedly expressing thanks, ”Director Lu, you’re too kind, why bother to brew tea for us yourself?”

Director Lu laughs heartily and waves his hand, ”This tea ought to be brewed, and these words ought to be said.”

”You two have indeed helped our Dongcheng City Criminal Investigation Unit a great deal this time.”

”We invested a lot of manpower and resources into this case, going back and forth, under enormous pressure, yet it felt like we’d hit an invisible wall, unable to find that crack.”

”You arrived not long ago, but brought a pivotal turning point with your professional perspective and unique approach.”

”As a deputy director overseeing criminal investigation, both publicly and privately, this heart...”

He pauses slightly, pressing his hand gently against his chest, ”I really can’t express the gratitude. Come, let’s use tea as wine to toast the two of you.”

Speaking, he turns especially toward Jiang An with a sincere gaze, ”Especially Mr. Jiang’s analytic approach is lively and keen, often breaking out of the conventional framework, directly pointing to the core of the problem.”

”To be honest, if the investigators in our office had half the insight and adaptability of Mr. Jiang, I, as the deputy director in charge, would probably have fewer gray hairs.”

Upon hearing this, Director Hou and Jiang An quickly chime in, ”Director Lu, you’re too modest.”

”The Dongcheng City Criminal Investigation Unit has always been full of hidden talents, like your Captain Zhang Biao, who is quick and decisive in handling cases, and Deputy Captain Lin Qingxuan, who is meticulous and has clear logic, serving as examples for us to learn from.”

Director Lu laughs and waves his hand, his tone carrying a bit of feeling, ”Haha, they are indeed good, but compared to Mr. Jiang and Director Hou, they still seem somewhat inexperienced and lack enough maturity, simply dwarfed by greatness.”

He speaks with particular focus on Jiang An’s face, his demeanor becoming a bit more serious, ”Mr. Jiang, actually I’ve been pondering something, I wonder if it’s convenient on your side?”

Jiang An immediately adjusts his posture, responding, ”Please go ahead, Director Lu.”

Director Lu leans slightly forward, his tone gentle yet full of expectation, ”I think, with your guidance, this case should be solved smoothly before long.”

”Once the case is concluded, I wonder if there will be a chance in the future to formally invite you—Mr. Jiang to come to our Dongcheng City Criminal Investigation Unit to exchange guidance, and bestow your wisdom.”

”Of course, if your schedule is tight, we can also organize personnel to go to Jiangcheng City to study, deeply learn from your advanced handling techniques and investigation insights.”

Jiang An listens and nods without hesitation, ”Of course, no problem.”

”Criminal investigation work shouldn’t have territorial boundaries; mutual learning and common progress are key.”

”As they say, ’Travel thousand miles, investigate cases worldwide,’ police worldwide have only one common goal—to fight crime and bring the real culprits to justice.”

Director Hou also smiles in agreement nearby, ”Exactly! Old Lu, why be so formal?”

”Jiang An always emphasizes the overall enhancement of the investigation team, and is happy to contribute more within his capacity for everyone.”

”In the future, whether inviting him to conduct special lectures or arranging personnel to study in Jiangcheng, I see both as very feasible, bringing great benefits to criminal investigation work in both areas.”

”Haha, that’s great, that’s wonderful!”

Director Lu’s smile broadens as he takes his seat again, ”Then I’ll first prepare a small glass of wine on behalf of Dongcheng City Criminal Investigation Unit, both as an early celebration for the case’s solving and to express gratitude to both of you.”

”Once the timing is right, we will certainly formally invite Mr. Jiang to Dongcheng and conduct several practical criminal investigation lectures, letting our team members learn up close!”

Jiang An smiles and says, ”The case must be solved, and the sooner the better.”

”But right now, the most important thing is to focus all efforts on thoroughly solving this case.”

Director Lu lightly sighs, with a somewhat reflective expression, ”To be honest, when we first took on this case, I didn’t hold much hope, even thinking the significance of solving it might be limited.”

”But after your analysis and guidance over the past few days, this old investigator has actually gained more confidence—especially the analysis today concerning site footprints and suspect psychology, it completely overturned my past case handling style, truly eye-opening. The level is really high.”

He pauses slightly, picking up a newly received set of household registration records from the table, and continues, ”Just now, I had colleagues urgently retrieve Li Mountain’s household registration records.”

”The records show that his parents have both passed away, and his household registration is canceled; he himself previously had a marriage, and his wife completed household division upon divorce.”

”Notably, before the household division, the two had a child.”

”A child?” Jiang An and Director Hou almost speak at the same time, their tones carrying evident concern.

”Yes,” Director Lu nods, ”Judging by the time, that child should now be over thirty years old.”

Upon hearing this, the previously relaxed expressions on Director Hou and Jiang An’s faces suddenly tighten, their gazes becoming sharp almost simultaneously.

Jiang An leans forward a bit, speaking in a serious tone, ”If this young person really exists, we must treat it with great importance.”

”There’s a certain hereditary probability of mental issues, we can’t rule out the possibility of the father covering for the child, or even collaborating in the crime.”

Director Hou promptly responds firmly, ”That’s correct, this clue must be prioritized for verification, and the whereabouts of the child must be found quickly.”

Director Lu steadily nods, ”I’ve already made early arrangements.”

”A team is on their way to another area—the child was awarded to the mother back then.”

He pauses briefly, then adds, ”Besides children from the marriage, we also need to check for non-marital children or other biological relationships.”

”We must clarify all related personnel as much as possible, striving to encompass all potential suspects in one operation without leaving any blind spots.”

Director Hou listens, unable to resist raising his thumb, laughing heartily, ”Old Lu, your case handling style truly remains fast and resolute through the decades!”

”Such comprehensive control and proactive attack thinking, the courage is as undiminished as in the past!”