Unlocking the Forensic M.E. Protocol Forensic Master achievement requires earning a single, perfect S Rank on any case. This isn't about speed alone; it's a test of meticulous investigation and flawless logic. The rank is determined by four key metrics: your completion time, the percentage of evidence you uncover, your accuracy during lab analysis, and the correctness of your final conclusions. While you can attempt this on any case, your best shot by far is the very first mission, "The Crimson Canvas," due to its contained environment and straightforward evidence chain.
This guide breaks down the exact scoring system and provides a step-by-step walkthrough for "The Crimson Canvas" to ensure you nail the S Rank on your first dedicated attempt.
What Actually Determines Your Rank?
Your final grade is a composite score calculated from four distinct performance pillars. Excelling in one area cannot fully compensate for a major failure in another. To secure an S Rank, you need to perform exceptionally across the board. Think of it less as a high score to beat and more as a checklist to perfect.
- Time: Each case has a hidden timer. While the game doesn't display it, finishing well under the expected duration provides a significant score multiplier. For "The Crimson Canvas," you should aim to complete the entire investigation, from entering the crime scene to filing the report, in under 20 minutes.
- Evidence Found: This is a non-negotiable 100% requirement. An S Rank is impossible if you miss even one piece of scannable evidence. This includes primary clues, environmental details, and secondary data points that add context. Your scanner is your best friend; be methodical.
- Analysis Accuracy: This pillar tracks your performance in the lab. Every incorrect link you make between pieces of evidence, or every failed attempt at sequencing a memory in the M.E. Protocol, incurs a penalty. To get an S Rank, you must have zero analysis errors. If you make a mistake, it's better to reload your last save than to proceed with a penalty.
- Conclusion Correctness: This is the final judgment. You must correctly identify the culprit and present the key pieces of incriminating evidence that form an unbroken chain of logic. Presenting irrelevant evidence, even if you finger the right person, can lower your score from S to A.
The Best Case for a Guaranteed S Rank: "The Crimson Canvas"
Don't try to be a hero and S-Rank the complex later cases on your first go. The introductory case, "The Crimson Canvas," is practically designed for this achievement. The reasons are simple: the crime scene is a single small apartment, there are fewer than 15 pieces of evidence to find, the evidence chain is linear, and there is only one primary suspect to investigate.
This controlled environment minimizes the chances of getting lost, wasting time, or missing a crucial clue hidden in a sprawling map. It's the perfect training ground for the meticulous mindset required for a perfect score. Treat this case as your S-Rank tutorial.
Step-by-Step S Rank Walkthrough for "The Crimson Canvas"
Follow this path precisely. Do not deviate or waste time on unnecessary interactions. The goal is efficiency and perfection. If at any point you feel you've made a mistake, especially in the lab, reload the autosave from the start of the section.
Phase 1: Crime Scene Investigation (Target: Under 12 Minutes)
From the moment you gain control, move with purpose. The clock is ticking. Sweep the apartment in a logical pattern, like a clockwise spiral from the door, to ensure you don't miss anything. You must find all of the following items.
Key Evidence Locations:
- Victim's Body: Immediately scan the body in the center of the room. This is your primary anchor point.
- Bloody Palette Knife: On the floor next to the body. This is your murder weapon.
- Overturned Easel & Slashed Canvas: Scan both to establish a struggle.
- Spilled Turpentine: A small puddle near the easel. Scan it to get a chemical signature.
- Threatening Letter: On the small desk by the window. This establishes motive.
- Victim's Holo-Diary: Also on the desk. You'll need to access its final entry.
- Scuff Marks: On the floor near the front door, indicating a forced entry or hasty exit.
- Partially Wiped Fingerprint: On the window latch. This is a crucial, easily missed clue. The game will highlight it, but you have to be looking at the window itself.
- Hidden Safe: Behind a painting on the wall opposite the window. Interact with the painting to reveal it.
- Safe's Keypad: Scan the keypad to reveal fingerprint traces that don't match the victim.
Once you have scanned all ten items, immediately leave the apartment. Do not linger.
Infographic showing the correct evidence linking for the case.
Phase 2: Lab Analysis (Target: Zero Errors)
This is where precision is paramount. In the lab, you will use the M.E. (Memory Eidetica) Protocol to link evidence and reconstruct the crime. One wrong move here will cost you the S Rank. Reload if you make a mistake.
Evidence Linking Sequence:
- Begin by linking the Bloody Palette Knife to the Victim's Body. This establishes the cause of death.
- Connect the Overturned Easel and Scuff Marks to establish the narrative of a violent struggle.
- Link the Threatening Letter to the Victim's Holo-Diary entry to solidify the motive of professional jealousy.
- Finally, connect the Partially Wiped Fingerprint from the window to the Safe's Keypad prints. This will confirm the suspect's presence and actions.
After linking the evidence, you will initiate the memory reconstruction. The sequence is straightforward and follows the logical chain you just built. Select the events in this order: Argument -> Struggle -> Murder -> Robbery.
Phase 3: The Final Deduction (Target: Flawless Accusation)
With your analysis complete, the suspect, a rival artist named Julian Croft, is identified. You must now present the evidence to close the case. You don't need to present everything, only the three most critical pieces that form the core of the accusation.
Present your findings in this exact order:
- Threatening Letter: This establishes clear motive.
- Bloody Palette Knife: This is the murder weapon, tying him directly to the act.
- Partially Wiped Fingerprint: This places him at the scene and proves his attempt to cover his tracks.
Choosing these three items in this order will trigger the case-closed sequence. Your rank will be calculated, and if you followed these steps perfectly, the S Rank and the 'Forensic Master' achievement will pop.
Comic grid comparing a failed B-Rank run to a perfect S-Rank run.
Common S Rank Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many players get stuck with an A-Rank, just shy of their goal. This is almost always due to one of a few small, avoidable errors.
- Missing Environmental Scans: You didn't just scan the key items, but also the scuff marks and the spilled turpentine. These secondary clues are mandatory for the 100% Evidence score.
- Guessing in the Lab: The biggest point-killer. If you are unsure of an evidence link, do not guess. The game's logic is very direct. If you make an error, the system logs it immediately. Reload your save rather than accepting the penalty.
- Inefficient Movement: Wasting time at the crime scene by backtracking or wandering aimlessly will push your completion time into A-Rank territory. Follow a set path and stick to it.
- Over-Presenting Evidence: During the final deduction, presenting more evidence than necessary (like the Holo-Diary or the Scuff Marks) can paradoxically lower your score. The system rewards you for identifying the most crucial evidence, not all the evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I get the Forensic Master achievement on any difficulty? A: Yes, your rank is calculated based on your performance, not the game's difficulty setting. Playing on Normal is recommended, as harder difficulties don't add points but can make other sections of the game more challenging.
Q: Do I need to get an S Rank on all cases for a special reward? A: No, the 'Forensic Master' achievement is specifically for earning an S Rank on just a single case. There is no additional reward tied to S-Ranking every case in the game beyond personal satisfaction.
Q: Can I replay a case to improve my rank? A: Absolutely. After completing a case, you can access it anytime through the 'Case Select' option in the main menu. Your highest score on that case is the one that's saved.
The Final Verdict
Achieving an S Rank in FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol is a pure test of methodology. It's not about being the fastest player, but the most thorough and logical one. By using "The Crimson Canvas" as your proving ground and following this guide to the letter, you can eliminate guesswork and guarantee a perfect run. Be patient, be precise, and the 'Forensic Master' achievement will be an easy addition to your collection.