Microexpression Analysis

Central Park.

When Han Bin arrived at the scene, the area had already been cordoned off. Outside the tape, many morning exercisers had gathered to watch.

Zeng Ping, Li Hui, and Zhao Ming were already present.

“Captain Zeng, what’s the situation?” Han Bin asked.

“The victim, Zheng Wen, 31 years old, a teacher. Around 8:30 last night, she was jogging in the park when someone knocked her unconscious from behind and assaulted her,” Zeng Ping replied.

“Was it here?” Han Bin inquired.

Zeng Ping nodded. “After she was rendered unconscious, she was dragged to a small path beside the bushes and assaulted. She regained consciousness a little after four in the morning and called the police.”

“How is the victim now?”

“She’s not in any serious condition. I had Tian Li take her back to the station.”

“Did she see the suspect?”

“The suspect was probably hiding beside the bushes, waited for her to run past, then attacked her from behind and knocked her out. She didn’t see what the suspect looked like.”

“Did she hear anything unusual?” Han Bin asked.

“She was listening to music on her headphones while jogging.”

“Did the suspect leave any evidence?”

“We found white genetic material and two unidentified hairs on her thigh. They’ve already been sent for testing,” Zeng Ping said.

“That should be enough,” Li Hui commented.

“It’s best if we get a match in the DNA database. If not, we’ll need to find other leads,” Zeng Ping instructed. “Li Hui, go interview the park staff and the morning exercisers.”

“Zhao Ming, check the nearby surveillance footage for any suspicious people.”

“Han Bin, examine the scene and see if there are any new clues.”

“Yes, sir,” everyone responded.

…

They divided the tasks and worked through the morning.

At two in the afternoon, they gathered back in the office for a meeting.

Zeng Ping sat at the table. “Let’s go over what we’ve found.”

“I’ve asked the victim everything I could,” Tian Li reported, “but she’s still emotionally unstable. I let her rest in the reception room.”

“There were no obvious footprints at the crime scene, nor were there clear signs of climbing around the park,” Han Bin said.

“What about the surveillance?” Zeng Ping asked.

“There’s monitoring at both the front and rear entrances. A lot of people came and went, so it’s difficult to check everyone’s identity. I’ve already copied the footage for review,” Zhao Ming replied.

“Li Hui, what about your side?”

“Captain Zeng, most of the park staff were off duty by evening. Only two gatekeepers remained, and neither noticed anything unusual,” Li Hui answered.

“Did the morning exercisers provide any leads?”

“Morning exercisers and night joggers are completely different groups,” Li Hui said with a helpless gesture.

“So, in other words, there are no new leads,” Zeng Ping said, frowning as he took out a pack of Yuxi cigarettes and handed them around.

Han Bin lit one, took a drag, and asked, “Any word from forensics? If we get a DNA match, there’s no need to chase after shadows.”

“Tian Li, go check with the forensics lab,” Zeng Ping instructed.

…

Soon after, Tian Li returned, followed by a bespectacled man in a white lab coat.

“Well, Glasses, it’s rare to see you out of the lab,” Zeng Ping joked.

The man adjusted his glasses with his finger. “Captain Zeng, I came especially to update you on the case. If you’re going to tease me, I’ll just leave.”

“Come back, I’m only kidding,” Zeng Ping replied.

The man, nicknamed “Glasses,” was Lu Wen, a technician in the forensics department and one of the few in the precinct who wore glasses.

“There wasn’t much evidence left by the suspect at the scene. We collected white genetic material and two hairs. We’ve already extracted the DNA sample and sent it for database comparison,” Lu Wen reported.

“How was the victim knocked out?” Han Bin asked.

“Ether.”

“Ether is a controlled substance. Where did the suspect get it?” Zeng Ping asked.

“That’s your job to find out,” Lu Wen shrugged.

“No usable fingerprints?” Han Bin asked.

“None,” Lu Wen replied.

“I asked the victim—she felt the suspect was wearing gloves when he attacked her. She doesn’t remember anything after that,” Tian Li added.

“How long will the DNA comparison take?” Zeng Ping asked.

“That’s hard to say. It depends on luck. It’s possible there won’t be a match,” Lu Wen replied.

“If there’s any news, inform me immediately,” Zeng Ping ordered.

“Yes, sir,” Lu Wen answered, then left.

“We’re all now clear on the progress and leads in the case. If you have any thoughts, speak up,” Zeng Ping said.

“Ether is a restricted chemical. Ordinary pharmacies don’t sell it. We can investigate its source,” Tian Li suggested.

“We can keep reviewing surveillance footage. Anyone present during the time of the crime and fitting the profile is a suspect,” Li Hui said.

“We should interview people who exercise at night to see if anyone witnessed anything or has new information,” Li Hui added.

Zeng Ping nodded. “Good summary. Our investigation should focus on these three aspects for now. If there are no other questions, let’s assign tasks.”

“Alright, so you’re just waiting for us here,” Li Hui said with a bitter smile.

“I’ll personally look into the source of the ether,” Zeng Ping said as he glanced at everyone. “The four of you will review the surveillance during the day and canvass the park at night, interviewing people.”

“That’s a lot of work. How do we narrow it down?” Li Hui asked, frowning.

“The crime occurred around 8:30 last night. Every man who left the park after that time is a potential suspect and should be investigated,” Zeng Ping said.

“Captain Zeng, I’d like to talk to the victim again to see if there are any other clues,” Han Bin said.

“Go ahead,” Zeng Ping agreed, reminding him, “The victim is still emotionally unstable. Take Tian Li with you.”

“Yes, sir.”

…

Qindao Branch, Reception Room.

With a dull creak, Tian Li and Han Bin entered.

A poised and intelligent woman sat on the sofa—her features were refined, her figure graceful, traces of tears still visible on her face.

“Ms. Zheng.”

Zheng Wen looked up at Tian Li and Han Bin, giving a slight nod.

“Ms. Zheng, this is Officer Han from the Criminal Investigation Team. He’d like to ask you a few questions,” Tian Li introduced.

“What questions?” Zheng Wen asked.

Han Bin sat across from her. “Ms. Zheng, do you often exercise in Central Park?”

“Yes.”

“Do you usually go alone, or with friends?”

“It varies.”

“Have you ever felt like you were being followed or watched during your night runs?” Han Bin asked.

“No.”

“Please think carefully—are there any other clues?”

“No, there are no other clues,” Zheng Wen replied.

From her micro-expressions, Han Bin could tell the forced repetition of denial was a classic sign of lying.

He frowned. If the victim was hiding something, it would only hinder the investigation.

“Ms. Zheng, are you withholding any information from the police?” Han Bin pressed.

“I’ve told the police everything I know,” Zheng Wen replied, leaning back and crossing her arms over her chest.

A classic defensive posture—Han Bin was now certain Zheng Wen was hiding something.

“I understand this has been traumatic for you, and you may not want to relive it. But if you withhold information, we won’t be able to catch the suspect, and he could hurt others,” Han Bin said gently.

Zheng Wen closed her eyes, her expression shifting several times, before finally saying, “He stole...my underwear.”