Achieving the S-Rank in FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol Case 2, “The Collector,” requires finding all 15 scannable clues hidden throughout the victim’s apartment and the killer’s secret workshop. To get a perfect score for all clues, you must not only locate each piece of evidence but also follow a specific sequence to unlock the hidden room, as missing even one item like the scuff marks by the bookshelf or the secondary audio log will lock you into a lower rank. This guide details the precise location and discovery method for every piece of evidence.
The S-Rank Checklist: All 15 Clue Locations
For players who just want to cross-reference what they're missing, here is the master list of all 15 clues required for the S-Rank. The mission’s main challenge lies in how certain clues only become available after others are discovered, particularly those needed to access the workshop.
| # | Clue Name | Location | Discovery Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victim's Body | Living Room | Initial scan of the victim, Amelia Vance, on the floor. |
| 2 | Overturned Furniture | Living Room | Scan the knocked-over table and chair near the body. |
| 3 | Smashed Datapad | Living Room | On the floor near the sofa. Requires a primary scan. |
| 4 | Encrypted Audio File | Living Room | A secondary scan of the Smashed Datapad reveals the file. |
| 5 | Unusual Scuff Marks | Living Room | Scan the floor directly in front of the large antique bookshelf. |
| 6 | Antique Bookshelf | Living Room | Scan the bookshelf itself; your M.E. visor will flag an anomaly. |
| 7 | Misplaced Book | Living Room | A secondary scan of the bookshelf highlights a specific book. Interact with it. |
| 8 | Hidden Keypad | Living Room | Revealed after interacting with the Misplaced Book. |
| 9 | Access Code 'AV-2287' | Living Room | Decrypt the Encrypted Audio File from the datapad to hear the code spoken. |
| 10 | Secret Workshop Entrance | Living Room | Input the code 'AV-2287' into the Hidden Keypad. |
| 11 | Collector's Workbench | Secret Workshop | Initial scan of the main table in the hidden room. |
| 12 | Partially-Finished Mask | Secret Workshop | On the workbench. This is the Collector's signature. |
| 13 | Exotic Polymer Residue | Secret Workshop | Scan the tray of chemicals and tools next to the mask. |
| 14 | List of Targets | Secret Workshop | A datapad on the far corner of the workbench. Scan it. |
| 15 | Victim Profile: A. Vance | Secret Workshop | A secondary scan of the List of Targets highlights Amelia Vance's name. |
A Chronological Walkthrough for the Perfect Run
Simply knowing the clues isn't enough; the order of operations is critical. Following this path guarantees you won't lock yourself out of the hidden workshop or miss any time-sensitive environmental details. This is the most efficient route for a first-time S-Rank clear.
The Apartment: Initial Crime Scene Sweep
Your first objective is to thoroughly process the main living area. Do not rush this phase. The key to unlocking the second half of the investigation is hidden in the details of this initial scene.
- Clues 1 & 2: The Body and Disturbance. Start with the obvious. Perform a full scan on the victim, Amelia Vance, to log the Victim's Body (1). Immediately after, scan the Overturned Furniture (2) nearby to establish that a struggle took place.
- Clues 3 & 4: The Damaged Datapad. Locate the Smashed Datapad (3) on the floor by the couch. A primary scan logs it as evidence. Crucially, you must perform a secondary scan on the datapad in your evidence menu. This will allow you to access and decrypt the Encrypted Audio File (4). Listening to it reveals the access code 'AV-2287', which you will need later. Many players miss this secondary scan and wonder why they can't progress.
Infographic: Map of the apartment in Case 2 showing key clue locations.
Unlocking the Collector's Secret Room
This is the mission's central puzzle and the point where most players fail to get a perfect score. The entrance to the workshop is concealed behind the large bookshelf, and opening it requires piecing together clues from the living room.
- Clue 5: The Scuff Marks. Before interacting with the bookshelf, move your scanner low to the ground in front of it. You will find Unusual Scuff Marks (5) on the hardwood floor, indicating the shelf has been moved recently. This clue is absolutely essential and very easy to miss.
- Clues 6, 7, & 8: The Bookshelf Mechanism. Now, perform a primary scan on the Antique Bookshelf (6). Your visor will note its unusual construction. Follow this with a secondary, more detailed scan, which will highlight a single Misplaced Book (7). Interact with this book to reveal the Hidden Keypad (8).
- Clues 9 & 10: Gaining Entry. With the keypad revealed, access your evidence menu. You already have the Access Code 'AV-2287' (9) from the datapad's audio file. Input this code into the keypad to open the Secret Workshop Entrance (10).
Annotated Diagram: The Collector's workbench with key clues highlighted.
Inside the Workshop: The Killer's Lair
Once inside the hidden room, you are on the home stretch. The remaining clues are all contained within this small space, but don't get complacent. Thoroughly scan everything.
- Clue 11: The Workbench. Your first scan upon entering should be the large Collector's Workbench (11) that dominates the room. This logs the primary point of interest.
- Clues 12 & 13: The Murder Weapon. On the workbench, you'll find a Partially-Finished Mask (12), the Collector's calling card. Scan it. Next, scan the tools and chemical tray beside it to identify the Exotic Polymer Residue (13) used in its construction.
- Clues 14 & 15: The Hit List. Finally, locate another datapad on the corner of the workbench. A primary scan logs the List of Targets (14). Just like with the first datapad, you must perform a secondary scan on this item in your evidence menu. Doing so will highlight the victim's name, logging the final clue: Victim Profile: A. Vance (15). With this, you have all the evidence needed to reconstruct the case and secure the S-Rank.
Comic Grid: A 4-step guide to unlocking the secret workshop in Case 2.
Why Most Players Miss the S-Rank
The difference between an A-Rank and an S-Rank in Case 2 almost always comes down to three specific, missable clues. If you're stuck at 12/15 or 14/15 clues, you likely overlooked one of these:
- The Unusual Scuff Marks (Clue 5): This is the most common culprit. Players are drawn to the bookshelf itself and often forget to scan the floor in front of it. Without this clue, the game's internal logic doesn't fully credit you for deducing the entrance's existence.
- The Encrypted Audio File (Clue 4): Many players perform the initial scan on the smashed datapad and move on. They fail to perform the required secondary scan in the evidence menu to extract and listen to the audio file. Without this, you lack the code and the full context of the victim's final moments.
- Victim Profile: A. Vance (Clue 15): Similar to the first datapad, this is a failure of secondary analysis. Finding the List of Targets isn't enough. You must perform a follow-up scan on the list within your menu to specifically flag the victim's profile, officially connecting the Collector's work to this particular crime scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the S-Rank on my first playthrough of Case 2?
Absolutely. Unlike later cases that may benefit from foreknowledge, Case 2 is entirely self-contained. As long as you are methodical and perform secondary scans on all relevant evidence, the S-Rank is very achievable on a blind run.
Do I need to find the clues in the exact order listed?
For the most part, yes. The sequence is causal. You cannot find the Hidden Keypad without first scanning the bookshelf, and you cannot open the workshop without first decrypting the audio file from the datapad. Following the walkthrough order is the safest path.
What happens if I miss a clue? Can I go back?
FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol uses a chapter-based system with autosaves. If you realize you've missed a clue before completing the case, you can often reload an earlier autosave. However, once you submit your final report and end the mission, your rank is locked in. You will have to replay the entire case from the beginning to try again.
Does game difficulty affect the S-Rank requirements?
No, the number and location of the 15 clues remain the same across all difficulty settings. Higher difficulties may add time pressure or make enemy encounters (in other cases) tougher, but the core forensic investigation requirements for an S-Rank do not change.
Final Analysis
Case 2 serves as the game's first true test of a player's forensic discipline. It teaches the critical lesson of multi-layered evidence analysis—that every scannable object might hold a second or third layer of information. By being patient, scanning the environment from top to bottom, and always performing secondary scans on collected data, the S-Rank is not just achievable, but a straightforward outcome of proper procedure.