This complete FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol roof case drone walkthrough shows you how to solve Case 7, titled "The Roof," by locating three key pieces of remote evidence with your aerial drone. Getting an 'S' rank on this investigation requires you to find the victim's discarded datapad, scan a modified comms antenna, and locate a hidden injector pen. This guide provides the exact flight paths and analysis needed to close the case flawlessly.
The rooftop case is one of nine core investigations in the game, each presenting a unique, self-contained mystery. Unlike other scenarios, this one heavily restricts your physical access, making mastery of your forensic drone essential for success.
Case Briefing: What is "The Roof" Investigation?
Case 7 begins after the discovery of a high-profile tech executive, Elias Vance, on the rooftop of the OmniCorp tower. Initial access is limited due to the structural instability of the area and the risk of evidence contamination. Your partner, Dr. Anya Sharma, will brief you that key areas of the scene are simply unreachable on foot. This is where your aerial drone becomes your primary investigative tool.
The core of the mystery isn't just identifying the cause of death but reconstructing how the perpetrator accessed and escaped such a high-security location. The evidence you gather with the drone is crucial for establishing the timeline and method, moving beyond the obvious and uncovering the conspiracy underneath. Unlike cases that rely on chemical analysis or ground robots, "The Roof" is a test of your piloting skill and spatial awareness.
Gearing Up: Pre-Flight Checklist
Before you can deploy your drone, you need to ensure you're properly equipped. While FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol doesn't feature a deep upgrade system, your performance in previous cases can affect the calibration of your tools. For this mission, all you technically need is the standard-issue "Kestrel S-9" aerial drone available in your mobile lab van.
However, the most critical preparation is mental. Before launching, take a moment to survey the rooftop from the designated entry point. Look for visual landmarks that can serve as reference points during flight:
- The Central Comms Spire: The tallest structure, covered in antennae and satellite dishes.
- The Ventilation System: A large block of industrial air conditioning units on the western edge.
- The Solar Array: A bank of solar panels on a lower, eastern sub-roof.
Familiarizing yourself with the layout from a distance will make navigating via the drone's camera feed significantly more intuitive. There are no timers, so you can take all the time you need to plan your approach.
Infographic showing the drone flight path to three clues on the rooftop.
The Rooftop Crime Scene: A Step-by-Step Drone Walkthrough
Once you launch the Kestrel S-9 from the deployment zone near the rooftop access door, your objective is to locate and photograph three specific pieces of evidence. The game will not allow you to solve the case until all three have been documented.
Step 1: Locating the Victim's Datapad
The first and most straightforward piece of evidence is the victim's datapad. From your launch point, fly the drone directly west toward the large, humming ventilation system. The datapad has been tossed into a position that makes it impossible to see from the ground.
- Flight Path: Ascend to about 15 feet and approach the A/C unit. You will see a large grated intake vent on its side.
- Discovery: Carefully maneuver the drone into the dark opening of the vent. The datapad is lying on the floor about six feet inside, its screen cracked but still faintly glowing.
- Action: Center the datapad in your camera view. A green reticle will appear, indicating you can photograph it for evidence. Once the photo is taken, this clue is logged.
The datapad's last message reveals a heated argument with a corporate rival, establishing a potential motive for murder.
Step 2: Scanning the Modified Comms Antenna
The second piece of evidence requires more precise flying. The killer tampered with the building's main communication spire to disable security sensors during their approach. You need to find the specific antenna they modified.
- Flight Path: From the ventilation unit, ascend sharply and fly towards the central comms spire. You need to get above most of the satellite dishes to the upper array of smaller antennae.
- Discovery: Circle the spire slowly. You are looking for an antenna that looks different from the others. It will have a small, aftermarket signal scrambler attached to its base with visible wiring that doesn't match the clean installation of the other units.
- Action: Hover carefully and zoom in on the scrambler. Photograph it to log it as evidence. This piece proves the killer had technical expertise and planned the intrusion meticulously.
Annotated diagram of the in-game evidence board linking the three clues.
Step 3: Finding the Discarded Injector Pen
This is the most frequently missed item in the case and the key to securing an 'S' rank. The murder weapon was not a gun or a knife, but a disposable pen that injects a fast-acting neurotoxin.
- Flight Path: Fly down from the comms spire toward the eastern side of the roof, where you'll find a lower sub-roof covered in solar panels.
- Discovery: The injector pen is small and has been deliberately kicked under the edge of one of the solar panels to hide it. Fly low and slow along the seams between the panels. Look for a small, metallic glint.
- Action: You may need to get very close to the ground and use your drone's light to see it clearly. Once you have a clear view of the silver injector pen, photograph it.
This final clue confirms the cause of death and links directly to the suspect, who has a background in biochemical engineering.
Assembling the Evidence: How to Crack the Case
With all three pieces of drone evidence collected, return to your mobile lab. Open your tablet to the case summary screen to begin the reconstruction phase. You must logically link the evidence to form a coherent narrative. The game requires you to drag each piece of evidence to its correct place on the timeline.
Here is the correct sequence and logic:
| Evidence Item | Logical Connection | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|
| Modified Antenna | Placed first in the timeline. | The killer bypassed security to gain access to the roof. This was the Opportunity. |
| Victim's Datapad | Placed second. | The heated messages show a clear reason for the confrontation. This was the Motive. |
| Injector Pen | Placed third. | The specialized tool confirms a quiet, efficient murder. This was the Method. |
Connecting these three points in the correct order will trigger the case-closing sequence. The perpetrator is identified as Julian Croft, the rival executive from the datapad messages, whose expertise matches the advanced scrambler and custom neurotoxin.
A 2x2 comic grid showing common mistakes and the final success screen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can you solve the roof case without the drone?
A: No. All three key pieces of evidence—the datapad, antenna, and injector pen—are physically located in areas that are inaccessible to the player character. The drone is mandatory to complete the investigation.
Q: What happens if you miss a piece of evidence?
A: You cannot close the case. The game requires all primary clues to be logged before the reconstruction phase becomes available. If you are stuck, you have likely missed the injector pen under the solar panels.
Q: Is there a time limit for the drone flight?
A: No, FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol does not use timers for its investigations. You can fly the drone for as long as you need to locate the evidence without any penalty.
Q: Why did I only get a Grade B on "The Roof"?
A: A Grade B or lower typically means you photographed the evidence but failed to link them correctly during the summary, or you caused scene contamination (which is difficult, but not impossible, on this level). Ensure you follow the Opportunity > Motive > Method logic for a perfect score.
Final Analysis
The rooftop case in FORENSIC - M.E. Protocol is a standout mission that forces players to rely on methodical observation and careful piloting rather than traditional clue-hunting on foot. It's a clever change of pace that highlights the game's commitment to its forensic toolkit. By finding the datapad in the vent, the scrambler on the spire, and the hidden injector pen, you can piece together the entire narrative of a high-tech corporate assassination and earn your 'S' rank.