I'm not a genius detective

Chapter 53 Criminal Detention
That night.

Branch office.

The criminal technology team compared the materials of the summer quilt brought back by Han Ling and Tong Feng and confirmed that the fibers of the summer quilt were consistent with the fibers left in the mouth and nose of the deceased. The remaining task is for the forensic doctor to determine whether the summer quilt was the murder weapon and whether it contained DNA.

This is a crucial clue, indicating that the case is beginning to advance rapidly.

Unfortunately, there are no fingerprints.

This material is very difficult to preserve fingerprints on, and even if fingerprints are preserved, the clarity is far from meeting the standards for trace evidence inspection.

After the comparison was completed, Xia Liang was immediately sent to the forensic room for a comprehensive examination.

The victim was suffocated, and violently at that. It is highly likely that the murder weapon contained biological tissues of the victim, such as skin flakes or blood.

However, one thing is certain: the old woman who picked up the summer quilt took it home and washed it.

Han Ling asked, and it was hand-washed with water.

"Old Jiang, is it still possible to extract DNA?" Ji Bowei pressed Jiang Haichuan, waiting online, it's urgent.

Jiang Haichuan: "Fortunately, I didn't use strong detergent and put it in the washing machine to soak and spin dry."

He stated that in that case, chemical reactions and mechanical friction would severely damage the cell structure, and consequently, the DNA would be completely degraded.

Since it's just a simple rinse with water and the pressure is light, cells attached deep to the fibers may not be completely washed away, leaving a possibility of residual DNA.

"You've worked hard!" Ji Bowei said, "There's still hope."

Criminal Investigation Division's case-handling hall.

Some of the investigators from the special task force sat here, some smoking and others taking a short break; the atmosphere was very quiet.

No one will rest until the results are in.

There are still investigators working on the perimeter. Ji Bowei will not call a halt for now; he will wait for the results.

Colleagues kept glancing at Han Ling and Tong Feng. If the forensic doctor really found the victim's DNA on the summer blanket, it was highly likely to be the murder weapon.

As a result, Yang Qi's suspicion of committing the crime has increased significantly, basically meeting the conditions for criminal detention.

A newly promoted police officer and a trainee officer who had not yet been promoted unexpectedly found a clue together.

Of course, since the victim, Hou Jiarou, lived in that community, the possibility of finding clues in the vicinity of the community was relatively higher.

The three team leaders remained silent, offering no words of praise or recognition for Han Ling and Tong Feng's work. Their focus was entirely on the test results.

"Captain Ji, we've extracted the DNA. Please wait a moment while we compare it."

At this moment, Yang Rui came out of the forensic room and reported on the progress.

Ji Bowei breathed a sigh of relief, looked at Han Ling, and continued to wait.

He already knew how Xia Liangbei was discovered. Han Ling and Tong Feng were very patient, squatting next to the garbage recycling station, ignoring the stench that wafted into their nostrils, and they didn't leave even when it got dark.

It was precisely because they didn't leave that such a significant discovery was made.

Patience is a fundamental quality for criminal police officers, and Han Ling is highly qualified in this regard.

It was past midnight.

Chief forensic pathologist Jiang Haichuan left the DNA laboratory, holding a DNA identification report in his hand.

Everyone looked over, and Ji Bowei stood up.

"The results are in; it contains the victim's DNA." Jiang Haichuan handed the report to Ji Bowen. "Based on the saliva, nasal secretions, and the shape of the pressure marks on the mouth and nose, it's definitely the murder weapon." (Not macroscopic pressure marks)
A commotion broke out in the case-handling hall.

"Well done, Han Ling!" Ji Bowei took the report, glanced at it, and immediately turned to give the order, "Old Hu! You go personally and bring Yang Qi back to me! Let's see how long this kid can keep up this act!"

Although it's not direct evidence, Yang Qi is now considered a prime suspect in the crime.

If he really is the murderer, then his acting skills from learning of his wife's death to identifying the body to being questioned were superb.

"Yes!"

After Hu Lihui and his men left, Ji Bowen looked at Jiang Haichuan and asked, "Old Jiang, is it just the victim's DNA? Can you find the DNA of other people?"

The murderer smothered Hou Jiarou to death with a summer blanket. Hou Jiarou resisted during the process, so there were many traces on the blanket, which could still be found even after it was washed.

Correspondingly, the perpetrator used considerable strength during the crime; could they have also left behind biological information?

"Let's give it a try, examine it inch by inch," Jiang Haichuan said, turning and entering the forensic room.

The most traces left by the victim are usually found on a summer blanket, making it easier to investigate. However, identifying the murderer is not so certain and requires time, patience from the forensic doctor, and luck.

After half an hour.

The criminal police officers knocked on Yang Qi's door. He must have been asleep, as his eyes were still half-closed.

"Wh...what's wrong?" Yang Qi perked up considerably when he saw that the people who came were police officers. Hu Lihui stared at him and said coldly, "Yang Qi, we suspect you of murdering Hou Jiarou. Please come with us."

Yang Qi was completely energized.

At two o'clock in the morning, Yang Qi sat in the interrogation room, his hands gripping the iron rings of the interrogation chair, his expression a mixture of confusion and tension.

Ji Bowei stood in front of Yang Qi.

"Yang Qi, how exactly did your wife, Hou Jiarou, die?" Ji Bowei questioned directly.

Yang Qi looked up: "I...I don't know! You suspect I killed her? Are you kidding me! She's my wife, I love her very much, what reason would I have to kill her?"

Ji Bowei scoffed and retorted, "Love her? You love her and yet you cheated on her?"

"I..." Yang Qi was speechless. "These are two different things! She doesn't usually let me touch her, so I have no choice but to go out and find someone else. Everyone has needs!"

Oh?
Ji Bowei's eyes flickered.

Previously, Han Ling and Tong Feng discovered that Yang Qi was suspected of soliciting prostitution, which matched the testimony.

If your wife won't let you touch her, it's not surprising that you might cheat or go to prostitutes, no matter how deep your feelings are.

"Have you ever been to a prostitute?" Ji Bowei asked.

Yang Qi denied it: "No."

Cheating and prostitution are two different things; without evidence, men generally won't admit it.

Ji Bowei: "We found a discarded summer quilt at the garbage recycling station outside the community, and Hou Jiarou's DNA was found on it."

Hou Jiarou was smothered to death. Based on our judgment, the summer blanket was the murder weapon. How do you explain that?

"What?! A summer quilt?!" Yang Qi exclaimed in surprise. "I...it wasn't me! You said the summer quilt was found at the garbage recycling station outside the community, but that doesn't mean it's mine! It could be anywhere in the community!"

That's right, Ji Bowei guessed that the other party might say that.

However, this explanation is weak and unconvincing; criminal detention is inevitable.

In theory, any resident of the community could be involved, but Yang Qi, as the husband, is the most likely candidate.

As long as it is confirmed that the summer quilt came from Yang Qi's home, that is sufficient.

Three solutions.

First, purchasing channels.

Second, testimonies from other people, such as Hou Jiarou's mother, Li Hui.

Third, Yang Qi's biological information was detected on the summer quilt.

At this moment, the scope of the investigation narrowed down, and the task force focused its attention on Yang Qi. Of course, other possibilities could not be ruled out for the time being, and more people had to be assigned to the community to continue to visit and investigate.

The interrogation continued until dawn. Yang Qi insisted that he had never killed Hou Jiarou. Ji Bowei reported the case for review and Yang Qi was placed under criminal detention.

During the criminal detention, the task force will do its utmost to find more clues and evidence.

Criminal detention is a coercive measure, not a punishment. Theoretically, it lasts a maximum of 37 days. If the special task force does not find any evidence within the detention period and Yang Qi continues to deny guilt, he will be released unless the procuratorate approves his arrest.

Arrest is also a coercive measure, and the detention period can be extended to seven months, or even indefinitely in special circumstances.

Based on the clues currently available, the likelihood of the procuratorate approving the arrest is not high.

In the morning, Fang Zhou led his men to the hotel where Li Hui was staying and met a middle-aged woman with lifeless eyes and disheveled hair.

The other person has no interest in taking care of their appearance anymore.

"Ms. Li, I'm sorry to bother you."

Fang Zhou took out a photo of the summer quilt and asked if the other party had seen it at Yang Qi and Hou Jiarou's house.

This matter is very important, and he hopes that Li Hui will read it carefully and recall it thoroughly.

"I think I've seen it before, but I'm not sure." Li Hui couldn't give a definite answer.

Fangzhou didn't give up: "Is the bedroom facing south your room?"

Li Hui: "Yes, but I don't stay there often. I only go when I miss my daughter during holidays or on weekends."

Fangzhou: "I'll send you the photos. Think about it carefully, and call me if you think of anything."

Li Hui asked anxiously, "Has there been a result in Jia Rou's case?"

Fangzhou: "We are still investigating. Don't worry, we will do our best."

(End of this chapter)