The crackdown on organized crime began with the arrest of the mother-in-law.

Chapter 1450 Infrared Spectroscopic Analysis Results

Zhang Lin took the microscope and examined it carefully: "These unknown fibers look like some kind of synthetic fiber, and they are quite tough. We will first conduct infrared spectroscopy analysis on these fibers to determine their composition, and then compare them with the black backpack fragments and clothing residues extracted from the scene, if any, to see if we can find any matching clues."

The infrared spectroscopy analysis results came back quickly: the unknown fiber was polyacrylonitrile fiber, also known as acrylic fiber. "Acrylic fiber is commonly used to make sweaters, coats, and other clothing, as well as industrial filter cloths and tents," Zhang Lin said. "We recorded the characteristics of these acrylic fibers and then compared them with the fiber composition of the black backpack fragments."

After comparison, it was found that the fiber composition of the black backpack fragments was mainly nylon, which did not match acrylic fibers. "It seems that these acrylic fibers did not come from the victim's backpack," Zhang Lin said. "Then they are likely from the murderer's clothing, or other tools used during the dismemberment. We will continue to analyze these acrylic fibers in depth to see if we can find more characteristics."

Meanwhile, following Li Ming's instructions, the investigation team launched a comprehensive search. After the notice for assistance was issued citywide, it attracted widespread attention, with many people calling to provide clues. However, after verification, no one matching the deceased's description was found. The team reviewing surveillance footage expanded their search, checking footage from residential areas, parking lots, gas stations, and other areas around Heping Road. They found images of several white vans, but none of them were the same one that had appeared on Heping Road during the time of the incident.

The investigation team also encountered difficulties. The area around Heping Road has numerous rental houses, construction sites, and small hotels, with frequent population movement, making the investigation exceptionally challenging. They questioned a large number of residents and business owners, but failed to find any recently missing persons matching the deceased's description, nor did they collect any valuable information on suspicious individuals.

Time passed day by day, and the investigation still hadn't made any substantial breakthroughs. The fiber sample testing by Zhang Lin and Xiao Lin had also reached a stalemate; although the composition of the acrylic fiber had been determined, no matching clues had been found. Li Ming convened another case progress meeting to summarize the work of each team and analyze the direction of the investigation.

"Currently, our investigation has hit a bottleneck, mainly because the victim's identity is unknown, making it impossible to start the investigation from the victim's social relationships," Li Ming said in a heavy tone. "Next, we need to adjust our investigation strategy and focus on the dismemberment tool and the white van. The dismemberment tool is an old single-edged kitchen knife; we can investigate shops throughout the city that sell this type of knife to see if we can find information about the buyer. The white van was the vehicle the murderer used to dispose of the body parts; we need to continue expanding the scope of our surveillance investigation and also investigate white vans throughout the city, especially those with license plates ending in '376'."

"In addition, Zhang Lin needs to continue examining the fiber samples and other physical evidence to try to find new clues. Xiao Yang and Xiao Sun, you two are responsible for sorting out all the details of the scene investigation to see if there are any clues that have been missed," Li Ming added.

After the meeting, each group immediately adjusted their approach and launched a new investigation. Zhang Lin also reviewed all the details of the autopsy process, hoping to find any previously overlooked clues. He examined the victim's body parts again and suddenly discovered a tiny scratch on the victim's right ring finger, with a small amount of metal residue at the scratch.

"Xiao Lin, look here!" Zhang Lin pointed to the scratch on the deceased's right ring finger and said, "This scratch is very small; I didn't notice it before. There is metal residue at the scratch, which may have been caused by a metal object on the murderer's body during the struggle." He immediately extracted a sample of the metal residue from the scratch and sent it to the trace element analysis laboratory for testing.

The trace element analysis results are in. The main components of the metal residue are iron and chromium, with a small amount of nickel. "Iron, chromium, and nickel are the main components of stainless steel," Zhang Lin analyzed. "The murderer may have been carrying stainless steel items, such as watches, rings, and keys. The victim's fingers were cut by these stainless steel items during the struggle with the murderer. Although this clue is very subtle, it may help us find the murderer."

Zhang Lin immediately informed Li Ming of this lead. Upon learning of it, Li Ming promptly arranged for the investigation team to adjust their search strategy, focusing on individuals carrying stainless steel watches, rings, keys, and other items who matched the characteristics of the driver in the previous surveillance footage: males aged 30-40, slightly overweight, and with short hair.

Although the clue was subtle, it brought a glimmer of hope to the stalled investigation. The investigators rallied and threw themselves into the new investigation. Zhang Lin also returned to the forensic center to continue examining other physical evidence. He knew that every small clue could be a breakthrough in solving the case, and that as long as they persisted, they would surely find the murderer and bring justice to the deceased.

However, the new investigation still yielded no significant progress. Hundreds of shops throughout the city were selling the same type of kitchen knife, making the investigation exceptionally difficult; the search for the white van also yielded no new leads; and the large number of people carrying stainless steel items made finding a matching suspect even more challenging. The investigation into the dismemberment case on Heping Road had once again reached a stalemate.

But Zhang Lin and all the investigators refused to give up. They knew that solving heinous crimes was never easy; it required a great deal of time and energy, as well as considerable patience and perseverance. They remained steadfast in their posts, scrutinizing every minute clue and never abandoning any direction of the investigation. They firmly believed that justice might be delayed, but it would never be absent. As long as they persisted, they would surely bring the perpetrator to justice and restore peace to society.

While the case investigation reached a stalemate, Xiao Wang's team, responsible for surveillance and investigation as well as interviews in the surrounding area, never stopped pushing forward. After receiving Li Ming's instruction to adjust the investigation strategy, Xiao Wang immediately convened a meeting of the team members to reorganize the work tasks: "Brothers, the key to the case now lies in the identity of the deceased and the tracking of the white van. Captain Li requires us to expand the scope of surveillance and investigation, and at the same time deepen our interviews with surrounding businesses. We can't let go of even the slightest suspicious sign."