frightfiction Chapter 816 The Discovery of the Scene Investigation, Suspect Zhao Qiang
Chapter 816 The Discovery of the Scene Investigation, Suspect Zhao Qiang
"Has the murder weapon been found?" Qin Chuan turned to ask the technician beside him.
"Not yet, Director Qin. We've searched the scene carefully and haven't found anything resembling the murder weapon. The perpetrator likely took the weapon with them after the crime to destroy evidence," the technician replied.
Qin Chuan stood up and scanned the warehouse. The walls were covered in old graffiti and messy footprints. Besides signs of a struggle and bloodstains, the floor was littered with cigarette butts and beverage bottles. He walked to a corner of the warehouse and found a dilapidated toolbox with its lid open. The tools inside were scattered haphazardly, and several tools seemed to have suspicious dark red stains on them.
"Take all these tools back for testing. Check for bloodstains and fingerprints on them," Qin Chuan said to the technicians, pointing to the toolbox.
Next, he went to the warehouse entrance and examined the door lock. The lock had been broken, clearly pried open, with obvious pry marks on the surrounding door frame.
"Judging from the damage to the door lock, the perpetrator was likely prepared and possessed certain lock-picking skills, or used professional tools," Qin Chuan analyzed.
Li Ming diligently took notes on Qin Chuan's analysis, occasionally raising his own questions and opinions. The two then carefully examined the scene again, leaving no detail overlooked.
In the open space outside the warehouse, there were some fresh tire tracks. The tracks were deep and the treads were clear, suggesting they were left by a heavy vehicle. Qin Chuan walked in the direction of the tire tracks and found that they disappeared on the road not far away, indicating that the murderer had obviously fled in a car.
"Immediately check the surveillance footage of the surrounding roads to see if any suspicious vehicles passed by around the time of the incident. Pay special attention to trucks, vans, and other vehicles that can carry goods or hide people," Qin Chuan instructed Li Ming.
Outside the crime scene, Qin Chuan crouched down, carefully examining the open space where the tire tracks had been left. He gently touched the ground, feeling the depth and pattern of the tire tracks, trying to extract more information. Seeing this, the forensic expert beside him quickly stepped forward and said, "Director Qin, judging from the depth of these tire tracks, the vehicle was heavily loaded, and the tire tread pattern is unique, not the type of common passenger car. It's very likely a modified truck or SUV."
Qin Chuan nodded, his eyes fixed on the direction the tire tracks extended. After a moment's thought, he said, "Immediately contact the traffic department to obtain all surveillance footage from the surrounding main roads and the alley leading to the abandoned warehouse. Focus on investigating any suspicious vehicles that match the vehicle's characteristics that appeared before and after the time of the incident."
The criminal investigation team sprang into action, working closely with the traffic department, and a massive amount of surveillance video was continuously transmitted to the police station's technical analysis room. The technicians stared intently at the screens, carefully examining each frame.
After several hours of intense screening, a suspicious black SUV was finally spotted in surveillance footage from a highway about three kilometers away from the abandoned warehouse. While the footage wasn't perfectly clear, the tire treads of the vehicle were strikingly similar to those at the crime scene. Furthermore, the vehicle had been traveling towards the warehouse half an hour before the incident and then hurriedly returned to the city shortly afterward, making its route highly suspicious.
Technicians immediately checked the vehicle information but found that the license plate number had been deliberately obscured, making it impossible to directly obtain the vehicle registration information. However, through analysis of the vehicle's exterior details, they discovered a unique decorative ornament on the rearview mirror, resembling a soaring eagle, which became a key feature for identifying the vehicle.
"Director Qin, this car is currently the most suspicious. We have obtained its unique appearance characteristics. What should we do next?" The criminal investigation team member in charge of the surveillance and investigation reported to Qin Chuan.
Qin Chuan stood in front of the huge monitoring screen with his arms crossed and said, "Starting from the location where the vehicle was found, expand the scope of the monitoring and investigation, track the vehicle's driving trajectory, and see where it came from and where it went. At the same time, investigate all auto repair shops in the city that may have modified vehicles, and ask if they have any repair records for vehicles with similar characteristics. Don't let any clues slip by."
Furthermore, during a further examination of the crime scene, several tools bearing suspicious dark red stains were urgently sent to a forensic laboratory. After meticulous testing by technicians, it was confirmed that the stains on the tools matched the blood type of the deceased, Song Ming. This discovery convinced the police that the perpetrator most likely used these tools during the crime.
Meanwhile, the thorough search of the warehouse continued. Criminal investigators discovered a discarded small spray can in a hidden corner of the warehouse, with some illegible label fragments on the can. After professional processing, it was vaguely identified that the spray can may have been used for some kind of special industrial rust prevention treatment. This discovery made Qin Chuan ponder; he connected it to the black SUV outside the crime scene, perhaps there was some connection between the two.
"Contact the vehicle management department and the auto repair industry association," Qin Chuan quickly issued the order. "Check all recent vehicle repair records involving industrial rust prevention treatment, paying particular attention to that black SUV."
After a tense investigation, a crucial clue was finally discovered at a remote auto repair shop. According to the shop owner, about a week prior, a black SUV came in for repairs. The owner specifically requested a comprehensive rustproofing treatment for the vehicle's chassis, using the same brand of rust inhibitor found in the spray can at the crime scene. More importantly, the repair records showed that although the vehicle's license plate was obscured, the vehicle identification number (VIN) closely matched the characteristics of suspicious vehicles previously identified in surveillance video.
"Director Qin, we've found the owner's information for this vehicle!" the criminal investigation team member in charge of the investigation reported excitedly. "The owner's name is Zhao Qiang. He has a criminal record for theft and fighting, and currently works for a small logistics company."
A determined glint flashed in Qin Chuan's eyes. "Immediately launch an investigation into Zhao Qiang to find out his whereabouts and motives. At the same time, apply for search warrants for his residence and workplace. We need to find more evidence related to the case."
Based on the current clues, Zhao Qiang is very likely a key suspect, so Qin Chuan's arrangements essentially pinpointed him as a suspect. The investigation focused on uncovering his modus operandi, motives, and finding relevant leads; they even requested an investigation of his residence.
Now we'll see how it goes!