Liu Guodong and the others had finished a day's work and were now having tea.
"Collected four sets of fingerprints; did Group Leader Ren go to compare them himself?"
Oh?
Liu Guodong was slightly stunned: "Were the collected fingerprints very clear?"
If the fingerprints were not of high clarity, Ren Qiang and the others wouldn't have the skill to compare them.
Lu Chuan nodded: "We were lucky; we collected complete fingerprints."
Lu Chuan didn't elaborate on the details, and Liu Guodong and the others didn't ask further.
This time, Liu Guodong had Lu Chuan go to the scene alone, not just to fetch a bottle of Luzhou Laojiao.
In the Criminal Investigation Team, crime scene investigators don't hold high status.
This isn't a technical issue but a matter of resource allocation.
Especially in a larger Criminal Investigation Team, crime scene investigators have singular responsibilities, focusing solely on crime scene investigations.
Most of what they need to do is collect physical evidence, like taking casts of footprints, gathering fingerprints, and collecting DNA samples.
However, specific evidence analysis is done by specialized forensic police upon returning.
The two roles are interdependent yet distinctly separate.
Both types of police work are technical, but they don't get much internal police resources.
Liu Guodong's crime scene office is different; both crime scene investigation and forensics are under their control.
This centralizes authority.
As a result, the crime scene office may not wield much real power, but everyone needs something from them.
To give you a simple example, unless it's a homicide or a major case assigned by leadership,
deciding which case's fingerprint comparison to do first is up to the crime scene office.
Within the rules, it's all about human relationships.
Having Lu Chuan go to the scene alone was also to get him acquainted with the Action Team 2.
If he really collected important fingerprints, helping Action Team 2 solve a case, the favor would be Lu Chuan's gain.
Within the Criminal Investigation Team, the action groups and the subordinate criminal investigation squads engage with different industries the most.
With their favor in hand, things like getting medical treatment for elders, schooling for kids, or even just going out for a meal become easier.
While talking, the four changed out of their uniforms into plain clothes, preparing to eat at the hotel.
"Lu, remember, if you're not on duty, try not to wear your uniform."
Lu Chuan nodded earnestly, having heard this from Liu Guodong, Yang Sen, and now Old Bai again today.
Being a policeman has one perk: you basically don't have to spend your own money on clothes.
Winter, spring, summer, and autumn gear are issued each season at least twice a year.
On duty, you're always in uniform, so you rarely wear clothes you personally bought.
Even various industries have their uniforms and characteristics.
For instance, electricians must wear cotton uniforms.
The reason is simple: a lesson learned from lives lost.
Electricians are always dealing with electricity and risk electric shocks during work.
Cotton turns to ashes after a shock, but materials like polyester melt, forming hot sticky substances adhering to the skin.
This easily causes severe secondary injuries.
Criminal police uniforms are generally durable, meant to look authoritative.
Training uniforms are looser, focusing on athletic functionality.
Whereas street workers in dim alleys have different attire, focusing on minimal coverage.
Not wearing a uniform outside work hours is also a lesson from harsh experiences.
On one hand, in case of emergencies off duty, like a female desk officer encountering an assailant on a bus,
if she's in uniform, she's not necessarily braver than other women.
If she doesn't intervene, being a police officer, what would she do?
Plus, it could lead to unnecessary public scrutiny.
Police officers are also people, they have families, and they can feel fear.
But once they put on the uniform, even knowing it might lead to death, sometimes there's no choice.
At Public Security University, professors had covered many similar cases.
The dining atmosphere was much more relaxed than Lu Chuan had imagined.
Even with the city's bureau leadership, everyone still got along.
Seven or eight people chatted about past events working in the crime scene office.
"Lu, come, you're a newcomer, toast everyone!"
Liu Guodong led Lu Chuan, formally introducing him to everyone.
"Lu Chuan!" The only one in a white shirt on the scene looked at Lu Chuan with appreciation: "Hasn't been in the police force long yet has solved quite a few cases, a promising young man indeed."
In the entire Haizhou City Public Security Bureau, only a few can wear a white shirt.
Even the Criminal Investigation Team captain Qin Yong is just another blue-collar worker.
Receiving recognition from the highest leader who emerged from the crime scene office made Lu Chuan feel slightly overwhelmed.
"Old Wang," Liu Guodong wasn't willing, showing no usual respect towards leaders: "What do you mean by that?"
"We've finally got some fresh blood in the crime scene office, don't you try to poach him."
Lu Chuan had met Old Wang once, during the Zhang Wen case when Old Wang and Chief Song Jiangguo visited the scene.
"Exactly, Director Wang, our crime scene team only has us three oldies. Lu Chuan is the hope for the future." Yang Sen expressed his opinion.
"Getting out to the scene more when you're young is beneficial. You wouldn't have been promoted back then if I wasn't dragging you to every scene daily?"
Old Bai laid down the final word.
No one on site had more seniority than Old Bai.
Wang Kai spread his hands with a smile: "I was just complimenting Lu, where did your thoughts wander off to?"
"Alright, as if we don't know you," Liu Guodong waved a hand: "Lu has a lot of potential, brilliant skills, and gaining more experience at the scene will be even more beneficial."
Throughout the entire process, Lu Chuan merely smiled, holding his glass and toasting, seldom speaking.
This made everyone more fond of him.
From the perspective of everyone present, an honest junior is more worthy of nurturing and trust.
Following this, it was as if Lu Chuan had truly integrated into the crime scene circle.
In the Criminal Investigation Team of the Haizhou City Public Security Bureau, he effectively had backing and firmly established himself.
Once they were full and satisfied, everyone prepared to take a cab home from outside the hotel.
Personal use of official vehicles, especially police cars, had become rare. Who'd dare flagrantly misuse them?
"Lu, take Director Wang home!"
A slightly tipsy Liu Guodong, the current crime scene office leader and organizer of the gathering,
was clearly giving Lu Chuan an opportunity to get close to leadership by letting him take Wang Kai home.
"We'll take a cab."
Lu Chuan quickly stepped up: "Master, I've already arranged everything."
With that, Lu Chuan gestured, and the eight Buick limousines parked by the roadside drove up in sequence.
Liu Guodong's gaze sharpened slightly as he looked at Lu Chuan: "Lu?"
"Master, these are rented from a car rental company, just to take everyone home. It takes ages to get a cab at this hour."
Others now looked at Lu Chuan with inquisitive eyes.
They thought this kid was simple and honest, but it turns out he's quite thoughtful.
"Alright, we'll transfer the car fare in the group chat later. We can't let Lu pay for it." Wang Kai set the tone.
"No, no, no, Sir, these cars are from my family's company, they're free of charge."
As Lu Chuan was explaining, the drivers from the eight cars had already gotten out, opening the doors with a bow: "Welcome to Qiangsheng Car Rental."
Cars from your family's company?
Qiangsheng Car Rental?
Wang Kai squinted: "Lu Chuan... you're surnamed Lu... do you live in Chenguang District?"
Lu Chuan nodded: "Yes, Sir."
"What is Lu Jianguo to you?"
"He's my grandfather."
Wang Kai looked at Lu Chuan, paused for two seconds, then suddenly patted Lu Chuan on the shoulder: "Give my regards to your grandfather for me."