Unlocking the 'Kidnapping' achievement in FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol requires a perfect, Grade B or higher resolution of Case 9. This means finding all critical evidence, correctly linking it to establish motive and opportunity, and accusing the right suspect without any missteps. This complete forensic me protocol kidnapping achievement walkthrough details every piece of evidence, every puzzle solution, and the final confrontation sequence needed to close the case and pop the achievement.
The investigation is one of the game's nine core cases and centers on a complex abduction with multiple suspects and red herrings. Success hinges on methodical procedure and careful use of your forensic toolkit, from the aerial drone to the chemical analyzer. One missed clue can derail the entire case, locking you out of the required grade.
The Case File: All Evidence Locations
The Kidnapping case spans three primary locations, each containing a specific set of clues. You must process each scene completely before moving on to the next, as evidence from one area often provides the context needed for the next. Missing a single item will prevent you from achieving the required score.
Location 1: The Victim's Last Known Location (Riverside Park)
This is where the investigation begins. The scene is contaminated, so your first step should be deploying the aerial drone to get a clean overview and identify points of interest without leaving footprints.
- Evidence 1: Discarded Tranq-Dart: Located in the underbrush near the main park bench. Use your UV light to spot the faint chemical residue leading to it. This is your first indication of a sophisticated abduction.
- Evidence 2: Scuffed Shoe Prints: Near the riverbank. Photograph them before taking a cast. Analysis back at the van will reveal a custom sole pattern.
- Evidence 3: Damaged Security Drone: The park's patrol drone is crashed near the footbridge. Access its memory chip to retrieve the last few seconds of corrupted footage, which shows a blurry image of a commercial van.
- Evidence 4: Torn Fabric Scrap: Snagged on a splinter on the wooden bench. This is a crucial piece of physical evidence that will later be matched to the suspect.
Location 2: The Commercial Van (Impound Lot)
The corrupted footage leads you to a specific van model, which has been located and impounded. This is a contained environment, perfect for your ground robot.
- Evidence 5: Unregistered GPS Device: Hidden under the passenger seat. You'll need to use the ground robot to access it. The device's history is wiped, but its hardware signature is unique.
- Evidence 6: Chemical Stains on Floor Mats: Use the chemical analyzer on the dark stains in the cargo area. The analysis reveals traces of industrial solvent and the same sedative from the tranq-dart.
- Evidence 7: Fingerprints on Steering Wheel: Dust the steering wheel for prints. While you'll get multiple partials, one clean thumbprint will be your key to identifying a primary suspect from the database.
Infographic showing the evidence locations for the Forensic M.E. Protocol Kidnapping achievement walkthrough.
Location 3: Elias Vance's Workshop
The fingerprint and vehicle registration point to Elias Vance, a disgraced robotics engineer. His workshop is the final location and holds the most incriminating evidence.
- Evidence 8: Workshop Schematics: On a workbench, you'll find blueprints for a custom-built drone—one that matches the security drone's damage profile. This establishes technical skill.
- Evidence 9: Spool of Specialized Fiber: Tucked away in a supply closet, you'll find a spool of fiber that is a perfect match for the torn fabric scrap found in the park.
- Evidence 10: Encrypted Datapad: This is the case's main puzzle. The datapad is locked, and cracking it is essential. (See next section for the full solution).
- Evidence 11: Custom-Milled Servos: In a box of discarded parts, you'll find servos matching the unique design of the victim's stolen robotics prototype. This provides the motive: industrial espionage.
- Evidence 12: Modified Voice Modulator: The final piece of the puzzle. This device, found in a desk drawer, was used to make the ransom call and digitally matches the frequencies on a recording provided by the victim's family.
How to Crack the Encrypted Datapad
The datapad in Elias Vance's workshop is protected by a three-layer encryption protocol. Brute-forcing it will wipe the drive, so you must follow a specific sequence. This puzzle is the most common failure point for players.
- Bypass the Biometric Lock: First, examine the datapad's casing. Use your UV light to reveal a latent fingerprint smudge over the screen. Scan this print. It will not match Vance's prints on file, but it will match a secondary set you should have lifted from the van's glove compartment. This secondary print belongs to his accomplice and will unlock the first security layer.
- Solve the Logic Puzzle: The second layer is a pattern-matching puzzle based on engineering schematics. You must align three rotating rings to form a complete circuit diagram. The solution is not random; it's the exact diagram from the Workshop Schematics (Evidence 8) you found on the workbench. Use the schematics in your evidence viewer as a direct reference to align the rings correctly.
- Enter the Passphrase: The final layer requires a passphrase. A clue is hidden in an audio log found on the main workshop computer, where Vance mentions his "first great success." Cross-referencing this with public records in your database reveals the name of his award-winning university project: 'Project Chimera'. Entering this exact phrase unlocks the datapad.
Inside, you will find communication logs detailing the kidnapping plot, the plan to steal the robotics prototype, and the location where the victim is being held. This is the definitive evidence you need.
Annotated diagram explaining how to crack the encrypted datapad puzzle.
Connecting the Dots on the Evidence Board
With all 12 pieces of evidence collected, you must return to the van and use the resolution/summary folder to formally link them. The game requires you to build a logical chain of reasoning. An incorrect link will lower your final score, potentially dropping you below the Grade B requirement. Make the connections in the following order for maximum score.
| Evidence A | Links To | Evidence B | Justification / In-Game Logic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tranq-Dart | establishes | Chemical Stains | The sedative compound is identical in both samples. |
| Scuffed Shoe Prints | establishes | Elias Vance Profile | The custom sole pattern matches a limited-edition boot owned by Vance. |
| Damaged Drone | establishes | Workshop Schematics | The damage pattern on the park drone matches Vance's custom design. |
| Torn Fabric Scrap | establishes | Spool of Fiber | A perfect microscopic match proves the suspect was at the park. |
| Fingerprints | establishes | Elias Vance Profile | The thumbprint from the van's wheel is a direct match. |
| Encrypted Datapad | establishes | Custom-Milled Servos | The datapad logs explicitly mention stealing the prototype parts. |
| Voice Modulator | establishes | Motive | The modulator proves Vance made the ransom call, confirming his role. |
Once these seven critical links are made, your case summary will update with a high probability of success. Do not proceed to the final confrontation until your evidence board shows a 'Conclusion Supported' status.
The Final Accusation and Confrontation
After linking the evidence, the game will direct you to the location from the datapad's GPS files to confront Elias Vance. The dialogue here matters. To secure the achievement, you must present your evidence logically and avoid emotional or speculative accusations.
- When Vance denies his involvement, first present the Torn Fabric Scrap linked to the Spool of Fiber. This places him at the scene.
- He will attempt to dismiss it as circumstantial. Counter this by presenting the Fingerprints from the van's steering wheel.
- As his final defense, he will claim the van was stolen. This is the critical moment. Present the Encrypted Datapad as your final piece of evidence. The logs contained within are irrefutable proof of his plan.
Choosing this sequence demonstrates a mastery of the facts and leads to Vance's confession. After the cutscene, the case will close, and as long as you have made no errors, you will be awarded a Grade A or S, unlocking the 'Kidnapping' achievement.
A comic grid showing the final confrontation to unlock the Kidnapping achievement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss a piece of evidence?
Missing even one of the 12 key pieces of evidence will make it impossible to get a Grade B or higher. The game's scoring is heavily weighted towards evidence completion. If you realize you've missed something, you must reload a save from before you left that location.
Can I get the 'Kidnapping' achievement if I accuse the wrong person first?
No. The achievement requires a clean resolution. Accusing a red herring or making a formal accusation without sufficient proof will immediately cap your score at Grade C, voiding the achievement for that playthrough of the case.
Is the secondary fingerprint on the datapad required?
Yes. While you can solve the logic puzzle and guess the passphrase through trial and error, failing to properly lift and identify the accomplice's fingerprint from the datapad's casing counts as a missed piece of evidence and will lower your final score.
Does the order of evidence collection matter?
While you must clear locations in sequence (Park > Van > Workshop), the order in which you collect items within a single location does not affect your score. The only sequence that matters is the final dialogue confrontation with Vance.
The Final Analysis
The Kidnapping case is a test of pure procedural discipline. Unlike other cases that may allow for some guesswork, Case 9 demands perfection. By following this guide, collecting all 12 evidence items, cracking the datapad, and presenting the facts in the correct order, you can guarantee a high score and add the 'Kidnapping' achievement to your collection.