Diary of a Criminal Investigator-Chapter 287: Crime Scene Investigation

Suspicion?

Ren Qiang’s expression turned slightly grave.

If Lu Chuan says there’s suspicion, it definitely means something unusual has been discovered.

However, the scene of this traffic accident hit-and-run case is relatively simple, and the traffic police have already completed the responsibility delineation work at the scene.

The vehicle involved in the collision was driving normally, did not run a red light, and was not speeding. The driver was driving properly.

The traffic accident was caused by the person who was run over, who had run the red light.

"What’s the problem?"

"The point of impact."

Lu Chuan pointed to the right side of the corpse: "From the impact marks on the body, the point of collision between the body and the vehicle is on the left side of the vehicle."

"Direct impact on the right side of the body."

"I just looked at the vehicle involved, and found bloodstains and significant impact marks on the left rear door, meaning the left rear door of the vehicle struck the pedestrian."

As Lu Chuan spoke, he illustrated the impact marks from the time.

"In this situation, the driver couldn’t possibly notice the pedestrian. For the two to collide, it would only be possible if the pedestrian intentionally came into contact with the car."

When Lu Chuan mentioned this, Ren Qiang naturally understood what he meant.

"Are you suggesting insurance fraud?"

"I’m not sure about that, but I find it unlikely that a normal person would be involved in this kind of collision."

"Moreover, if it wasn’t intentional fraud, I suspect the pedestrian’s condition might have been abnormal."

Lu Chuan is only skilled in crime scene investigation techniques, and his earlier deductions were based on a common person’s reasoning, raising some questions.

However, regarding the real situation, for the traffic police at the scene, reconstructing the incident based on the impact marks is not an issue.

Ren Qiang thought for a moment, then approached the traffic police officer in charge: "Was there any video footage?"

"No, but the vehicle involved had a dashcam. We’ve already checked, and there’s nothing wrong with it."

"Let me take a look."

"No problem."

The vehicle’s dashcam has cloud storage for videos, viewable through the driver’s app.

Soon, Ren Qiang obtained the video from the dashcam.

The video is very clear, and from the driver’s perspective, there was indeed no pedestrian crossing the road at that time, and the light was indeed green.

However, at the edge of the recording, you could see the person who was hit approaching from the left side, but it was just a silhouette.

Then came the sound of a collision, and the car veered off due to the driver’s sudden braking and swerved down the side embankment.

"The point of impact is on the car’s left rear door?"

"Yes, so in this case, the pedestrian is entirely at fault. The driver was driving normally, and legally, the driver doesn’t bear responsibility, though typically, there might be some civil compensation from an ethical standpoint."

This is how most traffic accidents are handled.

If there’s a collision between a pedestrian and a vehicle, and the vehicle bears responsibility, it’s understood they’ll usually cover all liabilities.

However, if the vehicle isn’t at fault and the pedestrian is, the driver doesn’t face criminal liability, but might bear some civil compensation.

The traffic officer reporting this didn’t realize anything unusual about the point of impact.

At traffic accident scenes, oddities often abound.

While not daily occurrences, severe injuries average at least one or two per week.

Fatalities average about one per month.

"Could it have been insurance fraud?"

"This..."

The traffic officer pondered: "From the point of impact, it’s possible, but the vehicle was proceeding at a green light, driving at around fifty kilometers per hour."

"At such speed, people who commit fraud typically wouldn’t choose it."

"Moreover, we’ve just contacted the hit person’s family and learned that the victim had a good financial situation, making insurance fraud unlikely."

"Alright, thank you."

"We’ll review the matter further, and if there’s no issue, I’ll have my colleagues issue an accidental death certificate."

"Group Leader Ren, there’s no need for formality. The family will arrive soon, I’ll go take a look."

Beside the body, Lu Chuan was still examining.

"Still think there’s a problem?"

Lu Chuan shook his head: "It’s not really a problem, just seems a bit odd."

"Brother Qiang, why not have the forensic doctor come over for an autopsy?"

Autopsy?

For deaths in traffic accidents, autopsies aren’t generally performed.

"Are you suspecting the deceased took some substance?"

"This... I’m not sure, but I feel that unless there was a mental issue, the person shouldn’t have died this way."

"It’s just a guess I have. By the way, what did the traffic officers say?"

"So far, they’ve pretty much ruled out insurance fraud."

"In that case, I suggest conducting an autopsy, just in case."

"Sure, give Old Wang a call, I’ll talk to the family."

The two split up to act.

On the family’s side, contrary to Ren Qiang’s expectations, there was no wailing, instead, they were abnormally calm.

Something wasn’t quite right.

Ren Qiang had handled many homicide cases, including those involving traffic accidents.

Usually, when relatives find out their family member has died, they’re highly emotional.

Especially in vehicular accident cases, there’s a desire to exact revenge on the driver.

But in this traffic accident incident, the deceased’s relatives were exceptionally calm.

Upon hearing the traffic officer explain the situation, no one spoke or confronted the driver.

This abnormal phenomenon steeled Ren Qiang’s belief in Lu Chuan’s judgment.

There’s likely something really going on here.

"An autopsy?"

"Whatever, if you want an autopsy, go ahead, we have no objections."

The relatives’ reaction to Ren Qiang’s request was also very indifferent.

No opposition to the autopsy.

Ren Qiang was left confused.

Turning to the traffic officer who had been asked earlier: "What’s the story with this family?"

The officer responded with a wry smile; it was the first time he had encountered such a situation.

"It’s a long story; the family members are the deceased’s wife and son."

"But their relationship isn’t good. The deceased abandoned his wife and child for a mistress over a decade ago, and the wife has been raising the child alone."

"How did you manage to contact the deceased’s family?"

"The ID card, the deceased had an ID in his pocket, and we found the family contact information in the system."

Soon, after signing, the family left.

The traffic police were entrusted with handling subsequent matters entirely, and they also refused to pay burial expenses, etc.

"Although we haven’t formally divorced, we’ve been separated for twelve years, akin to an actual divorce."

"We don’t want any money he might have, nor are we liable for any debts."

"In the future, don’t come to me about his affairs either."

With a wry smile, the officer sent the family off. Such incidents are rare, but not unheard of.

Meanwhile, Lu Chuan had also contacted Wang Changjiang, and the body could be moved back.

The autopsy results validated Lu Chuan’s suspicion.

This very likely wasn’t a straightforward traffic accident.