Just now, Li Jian's words were very clear.
On one hand, he acknowledged the hard work of the early criminal investigation team.
On the other hand, he expressed confidence in the conclusion of suicide derived from the initial analysis.
The purpose of this morning's meeting is very simple, which is to reinforce the conclusions made earlier.
As is well known, criminal investigation and solving cases emphasize deduction.
Since it's deduction, it must be based on subjective analysis.
The challenge is how to make judgments amidst the myriad of case information, focusing on balance and evaluation.
Criminal investigation isn't a straightforward deduction of 1+1 equals 2.
Often, we're dealing with gray areas.
The likelihood level determines the final nature of death in a case.
Whether it's murder, suicide, or an accident, it's always a tussle between these three possibilities.
Take for instance, you might come across a video online.
A man crawls to a bridge popular for streaming suicide, then jumps off.
You would probably conclude it's a suicide.
However, if I told you, outside the camera's view, someone was pointing a gun at him.
Threatening him, if you don't jump, I'll shoot you.
The person chose to jump, hoping for a slim chance of survival.
Helpless!
Ultimately, he still drowned in the water.
Now, can you still firmly say it was suicide?
The gathering of everyone to this meeting room today to research the case again was aimed at more thoroughly studying the entire situation of the student's hanging.
Currently.
In the meeting room of the criminal investigation team, the lights were off.
Everyone's eyes were focused on the projector screen.
The original crime scene photos were scrolling in a fixed sequence.
Jiang An was staring at the photos, not daring to look away for even a second.
He felt very fortunate.
Unexpectedly, on his first day at work, he encountered such a tricky case.
Importantly, this case has a significant connection to forensic science.
The forensic expert's responsibility is to speak for the dead!
This was his stage.
Because he was so engrossed, he suddenly felt as if he was part of the scene.
In a trance!
Jiang An walked into the original crime scene, standing by the tree where the deceased was hanging.
A very thin black rope was hanging from the victim's neck, extending upward from behind both ears, hanging on the willow tree's branch.
Jiang An examined the female student's body.
He had already identified the origin of the thin black rope.
The waistband of the female student's black sweatpants had only two holes, missing a black rope.
The black rope strangling the victim's neck likely came from here.
Next, Jiang An observed the victim's face.
It's important to know, for such a hanged body, the blocked airways in the neck due to compression result in asphyxia, leading to death.
Thus, the face of the corpse would show cyanotic, blue-purple lips.
It resembles many heart disease patients in life, where their blood oxygen levels are often low, causing bluish lips.
Indeed!
This female student's lips also showed cyanotic characteristics, indicating hypoxia.
Immediately, Jiang An noticed the victim's eye sclera.
Both eye sclera showed petechial hemorrhage.
This further indicates that asphyxia caused increased capillary permeability, making red blood cells escape outside of the blood vessels.
Jiang An also noted the cyanotic appearance of the victim's fingernails.
By this point, Jiang An concluded in his mind.
The hypoxia symptoms within the female student's body were severe.
The cause of death should be asphyxia.
He then moved his gaze to the victim's neck.
The thin black rope on the white skin appeared very conspicuous.
Below the rope, there were severe strangulation marks formed due to gravity.
Could it be!
This girl was really hanged to death?
However!
If the girl truly hanged herself under this tree, why weren't her arms naturally hanging down?
The angle of the opened armpits was somewhat large.
Could someone have opened the deceased's arms wide before the photo was taken?
Though it was Jiang An's first day at work.
Yet, he used his basic moral compass to understand that this possibility was minimal.
In Dragon Country, touching the dead or corpses is taboo.
Although a lot of people gather to watch whenever a death occurs.
Still!
They usually stand far away and observe.
If really given the chance to touch a corpse.
I guess no one would be willing.
Even a beautiful lady, after dying, is terrifying.
After thinking a little, Jiang An concluded that no one had touched the deceased's arms.
The posture with arms spread wide was their original state.
If something's abnormal, there must be a reason!
In Jiang An's view, this was a significant doubt.
Just as he delved deeper into his thoughts, the photos continued to play on the projector.
Twenty minutes later, all the original crime scene photos and autopsy photos were reviewed.
Then, Captain Li Jian said: "Everything above consists of photo information."
"According to the analysis report by the scene investigation personnel, this death scene was very tranquil, with no signs of struggle, and the rope around the deceased's neck was likely her belt."
"The forensic autopsy report also shows swelling on the face, petechial hemorrhages in the eyes, and dot-like hemorrhages in the internal organs, with severe pulmonary congestion and edema evident, which indicates death by asphyxiation, so the cause of death was asphyxia."
"Regarding inquiries, let me inform everyone that the deceased's name is Li Rui, female, 16, second-year high school student, with average grades, introverted personality, had little communication with others, and no adverse records at school."
"She was found hanging in a tree north of the sports field by the school's cleaning staff seven days ago in the morning."
"At that time, we retrieved the school's surveillance information, revealing that Li Rui left the dormitory alone around 7:30 the previous night, heading toward the sports field, with no one accompanying or following her."
Finally, Captain Li Jian summarized: "In the early stage of this case, our conclusion is fairly unanimous; Li Rui fits the profile of a suicide by hanging."
He then sighed, turning to look out the window at the family members and journalists gathered at the door.
"The family does not fully accept this conclusion."
"Today is our last time researching, and after the meeting, we will formally provide the family with a written investigation report."
"Everyone is free to express their opinions; whether supporting or opposing the suicide conclusion, feel free to speak up."
"As the saying goes, viewed horizontally is a range; viewed sideways, a peak; near and far, different heights."
"Regarding a death case, only by observing from different angles can different indirect perspectives be seen."
Having said this, Li Jian took out a cigarette and lit it, puffing away.
Many attendees began to murmur quietly: "It's definitely suicide!"
"There's nothing more to it!"
"High school pressure is huge nowadays!"
"And it's a girl!"
...
Captain Li Jian smoked while surveying the entire meeting room.
The suicide conclusion was agreed upon earlier by everyone.
He lifted his wrist and glanced at his watch.
It was getting late!
In the morning, he still needed to report the final conclusion of the case to Mr. Ma.
Li Jian asked, "May I ask, is there anyone present who believes this female student, Li Rui, was murdered?"
Upon these words!
Everyone in the meeting began looking around, seemingly searching for someone with a different opinion.
Suddenly!
Jiang An raised his hand and stood up.
He said in a deep voice, "Mr. Li! I believe that this female student, Li Rui, did not commit suicide!"
"She was hung after death!"
Instantly, everyone's gaze focused on Jiang An.
Everyone was staring at him, dumbfounded.
Surprise, doubt, confusion...