While Zhang Hui was interrogating Qin Jun, the provincial department's technical identification center also returned the trace evidence identification and analysis results from the first body.

In the Crime Scene Investigation laboratory, Lu Chuan, Yang Sen, and Old Bai were analyzing.

"Cosmetics... Dabao SOD Honey?"

Yang Sen frowned, "This is something mainly used by men; women rarely use this kind of cosmetic, right?"

Lu Chuan found cosmetic residue on the face of the first body, and the identified component turned out to be a brand of cosmetics often used by men.

"The material of the tape is just ordinary wide clear tape, nothing special about it."

"The skin flakes and dirt under the nails were all from the victim themselves."

"But these few strands of hair... Anglo Ferret?"

Lu Chuan had found hair on the first body, and it was also found on the second body.

Although the trace evidence test results for the second body are not yet out, their color reactions were consistent under the lantern's strong light and should belong to the same type of hair.

Lu Chuan initially suspected this might be hair from pets like cats or dogs, but it turned out to be Anglo Ferret hair.

"What is an Anglo Ferret?"

Yang Sen looked at the report's wording, never having heard of such a thing.

Lu Chuan knew, as Lu Yao had one: "An Anglo Ferret is a type of pet ferret, becoming more popular in recent years."

Strictly speaking, the Anglo Ferret should be classified as a kind of skunk, with developed scent glands that can release a foul odor when frightened.

However, pets from official breeding channels have undergone surgery to remove their scent glands.

This ferret is as clean as a cat, likes to curl up and sleep, is quite intelligent, enjoys human company, and, like a dog, likes to follow its owner.

Combining a cat's cleanliness with a dog's loyalty, it is quite a popular pet.

"These pets are relatively expensive, especially those with good fur color; a pet ferret can cost over ten thousand yuan."

Lu Chuan had heard from Lu Yao that there is a group in Haizhou City where people who keep such pet ferrets often communicate with each other.

"My cousin has one at home; I'll ask him later to see if we can find anything."

When Lu Chuan was making the call, Lu Yao was petting the ferret in the security room at the entrance of the residential area.

"There is no pet ferret farm in Haizhou; the ones we buy are all imported."

"Not many people keep these; our group has just about a hundred people."

A hundred people...

The Anglo Ferret is not a particularly common pet. The deceased's body having ferret hair indicates contact with such a ferret, either before or after death.

Typically, there are two possibilities.

Either the murdered person had a ferret, or the murderer kept one.

But in either case, the scope of the investigation into the nude corpse case can now be limited to this group of just over a hundred people.

Of course, not all those who breed Anglo Ferrets in Haizhou City could have joined this group.

Just like how not all Cadillac car owners join car enthusiast groups.

Interrogation Room.

Qin Jun looked pale with fear, his hands trembling uncontrollably: "Off... off... officer... what are you... you saying... dumping a body?!"

Bam!

Zhang Hui slammed his palm on the table with a loud bang, scaring Qin Jun into another shiver.

"Qin Jun! Look at this photo!"

"This blue paint bucket, you haven't forgotten it, right?"

"No, no... I remember, when I set fire to the archives, I used... used this to hold gasoline."

"Good, as long as you remember. Now, tell me where this bucket came from!"

After being captured, Qin Jun's fingerprints were collected.

However, they were compared with the fingerprints on the bottom of the blue paint bucket and the second body's ankle.

The result was that Qin Jun was not the owner of these two fingerprints.

This means that although Qin Jun used the blue paint bucket, he did not commit murder.

"I... picked it up."

"Picked it up? Where did you pick it up?"

"Picked it up from a trash can, that day I set the fire, from a trash bin near Friendship Hospital on Huaguang Street."

Qin Jun, half scared to death by Zhang Hui's mentioning of body dumping, confessed like pouring beans from a bamboo tube: "I was afraid the arson would be discovered, so I wore gloves."

"After siphoning gasoline from the car, I went to set the fire."

"Really, officer, the bucket isn't mine; I really picked it up!"

In the next office, Qin Yong massaged his temples wearily.

Initially, with the discovery of the partial fingerprint, it seemed possible to identify suspect Qin Jun, hoping the case might be solved.

But indeed, Qin Jun was not the suspect.

He had an alibi for the body-dumping incident, having been home these past two days.

Moreover, the origin of the blue paint bucket had been clearly explained by him.

"First, go check where he picked up the paint bucket."

Sun Jun voiced his opinion: "The fingerprint on the second body's ankle is likely left by the criminal accidentally while binding the tape."

"Determining that the fingerprint on the bottom of the paint bucket and the one found on the deceased indicate the same source, proves the person who abandoned the paint bucket is very likely the murderer."

"I checked; this type of paint bucket is used for emulsion paint, which is a construction and decoration material."

"Considering it was discarded near Friendship Hospital, could it be that the suspect's home is nearby undergoing renovation?"

"Or is the culprit a construction worker?"

"By now, three weeks have passed since the arson case, if it really was for renovation, three weeks shouldn't be enough to finish, right?"

Qin Yong nodded, as Sun Jun's analysis made a lot of sense.

The probability that the owner who discarded the paint bucket is the suspect is high.

"Does anyone else have any ideas?"

The group looked at each other and then shook their heads.

Given Qin Jun explained the location where he picked up the paint bucket, it's necessary to center the investigation around this area.

Sun Jun's reasoning and speculation were already quite detailed.

"Captain Qin, we have some additional findings here."

Liu Guodong opened the office door, handing over the trace evidence analysis report from the first body.

"The trace evidence analysis results from the first body have come out."

"The facial cosmetic is Dabao brand SOD honey, often used by males."

"This suggests that the perpetrator likely held the victim captive for a long time; otherwise, the cosmetics detected on the body would belong to a brand used by females."

"Also, the tiny hair found on the body is by identification from a pet called Anglo Ferret."

"In Haizhou City, not many people keep these ferrets, and there's a communication group with a total of ninety-eight people."

"I recommend focusing on scrutinizing these individuals during the investigation."

Listening to Liu Guodong's report, Qin Yong felt a surge of energy.

The Crime Scene Investigation office's findings again narrowed the investigation scope.

"Alright, our next focus is to conduct extensive checking centering around Friendship Hospital, especially paying attention to those keeping Anglo..."

Momentarily unable to recall the ferret's name, Qin Yong looked at Liu Guodong.

"Anglo Ferret."

"Right, pay particular attention to those keeping Anglo Ferrets!"

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