Chapter 30: Microexpression and Movement Psychology
At the victims’ home.
“The clues have run dry.”
Xiao Yu looked at the ‘painting of flesh and blood’ on the wall, appearing calm, “He’s very clever, likely planned this for a long time. He perfectly executed entering the victims’ home and the cleanup afterward. If he managed all that, finding other clues at the scene should be difficult.”
The task force members were all quietly watching Xiao Yu, their expressions serious.
They had only met Xiao Yu today.
But the feeling this trainee officer gave them could be summed up in two words: freakishly talented!
His case-solving abilities were strong to the point of being scary, his thinking wild and unrestrained.
It was hard for them to accept.
As the task force leader, Niu Peng took some time to pull up Xiao Yu’s file on his phone.
After reading, he was speechless.
It turned out that Xiao Yu was a top student at the police academy, the kind that made people’s scalps tingle.
A top student among top students, the fighter jet among scholars.
When Niu Peng shared this information with the other team members, they all suddenly understood.
A top student from the police academy?
That’s not a problem then!
Niu Peng made a decision, Xiao Yu would temporarily command the task force, and everyone would cooperate with him.
Is there a problem with that?
Of course not.
They had been investigating for two days with no leads.
Xiao Yu arrived and found a major clue in half a day.
Although the clue ran dry, his skills were stronger than all of theirs combined.
That’s how it works in the police force.
When solving cases, age, position, and rank all don’t matter.
If you’re capable, you take charge; if not, you follow instructions. That’s the reality.
If the case gets solved, everyone benefits.
Xiao Yu gets the top merit, everyone else gets to enjoy the rewards.
If the case isn’t solved, everyone suffers, no one escapes…
“Investigate the clues, scrutinize the details, make bold guesses.”
Xiao Yu’s gaze moved from the painting of flesh and blood to the team members, “But this might not be the truth; it needs verification.”
Everyone nodded; they were all veteran detectives who understood this principle.
“Since the clues have run dry, let’s look elsewhere.”
Xiao Yu squinted, “First, let’s interrogate the suspect!”
Why interrogate the suspect?
The killer did all this but left the suspect to ‘take the fall,’ to be the scapegoat.
How many people would go out of their way to frame someone else if they had no reason?
Is it hatred? Revenge? Or something else?
Xiao Yu felt it might be none of those.
The wrongfully accused suspect likely had no clues to offer either.
If he had a grudge with the killer and the killer wanted revenge.
Given the killer’s methods for such a gruesome crime, why not just target him directly?
Why make it so complicated?
The interrogation was a last-ditch effort, hoping for even a slight chance.
The team members returned to the division to stand by, while Xiao Yu and Niu Peng headed straight to the detention center…
***
After going through the interrogation process.
In the interrogation room of the detention center, Xiao Yu met the suspect in this case.
Medium build, ordinary appearance, barely a young man.
Wearing a detention vest, his face was dejected, hopeless, and angry.
He Xiao, 29 years old, local, private company employee…
Given that they knew he might be wrongfully accused, why not release him?
There are procedures to follow.
Firstly, he is indeed highly suspicious, found sleeping at the crime scene, and all evidence pointed to him.
Just these points meant he couldn’t be released.
If wrongfully accused, compensation can be sought, and the police system would restore his reputation.
Unlucky?
Indeed unlucky, but that’s how it is when you’re involved in a case.
In today’s age, if it were in the past.
Handled by a careless person, you might be waiting for a firing squad…
“I’m innocent.”
Facing the two police officers, He Xiao’s bloodshot eyes glared, shouting in anger.
“Hmm, I know.”
Xiao Yu’s expression was calm, nodding.
“Uh…”
With one sentence, Xiao Yu left He Xiao speechless.
After a while, he got excited, thinking: Could it be that the police have found the real killer?
But then, the police officers remained silent.
He Xiao grew anxious.
Are you only telling half the story, are you even human?
Xiao Yu remained silent, observing He Xiao.
Watching He Xiao’s expressions and subtle body language.
The truth often hides in expressions.
People’s expressions generally stem from their thoughts.
For example, genuine surprise doesn’t last more than a second, looking down indicates recalling, looking up suggests making up a story, and if the eyes dart around, it usually means lying or nervousness.
People generally blink five to eight times a minute; a higher frequency indicates inner turmoil.
When lying, heart rate increases, the face flushes, sometimes the nose itches, and they might unconsciously touch it.
When someone is genuinely angry, their expressions and words are synchronized.
If expressions and words aren’t synchronized, they’re acting…
These lessons are taught at the police academy, known as ‘microexpression’ psychology.
Police have sharp eyes because they know how to observe ‘microexpressions.’
After two minutes of observation, Xiao Yu was very certain.
The He Xiao in front of him was indeed unlucky.
Truly wronged.
But, Xiao Yu noticed something odd.
He Xiao had very steady hands.
Steady to the point that whether he was excited, angry, or desperate, his hands remained steady.
This was quite unnatural.
You know, when people’s emotions are out of control, their body reacts naturally, making unconscious movements reflecting their feelings.
For example, when angry, people might clench their fists, rub their hands when excited, or gesticulate when happy…
He Xiao in front of him showed no such body language.
Very suspicious!