13737


Rewatching episode 17 of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, we are shown
several times Maria Ross' prison "bracelet" on her "corpse". The bracelet is
shown to be broken even after Edward appears on the scene and confronts
Mustang. (We are shown later that Havoc removes it after Ross escapes into
some building.)

![Maria Ross' prison bracelet](https://i.stack.imgur.com/l81B5.png)

Given that this is the case, shouldn't there be a suspicion that this isn't
Ross (by the relevant authorities)? Or is this simply glossed over
(particularly since Ross' dental records were removed earlier, since the
coroner doing the autopsy was effectively "collaborating" with Mustang, and
since Mustang presumably has reason to have Ross killed?)?


CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-25T03:31:11.203
9907
2016-01-18T09:47:16.810
2016-01-18T09:47:16.810
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question
fullmetal-alchemist-series fullmetal-alchemist-brotherhood
Why didn't Ross' broken bracelet cause suspicion?


There's a few reasons it couldn't be a cause for suspicion:  
The bracelet isn't a handcuff, there's no reason to expect it not to get
damaged as a person flails around while getting incinerated especially while
the bracelet is more flexible due to high temperatures. Note that Mustang
(episode 18) effortlessly cuts an entire chain link in half with a wire
sniper. This reinforces the notion that the bracelet isn't that strong. It
also tells us that the chain was intentionally prepared. When you cut a single
chain link in half, the two halves fall off, leaving complete circles on
either end. Look at the picture you posted. The loose end appears to be pried
open instead of cut. Mustang would have had to do that on purpose, meaning
that Mustang made a conscious effort to make it less suspicious, which is
consistent with him separately incinerating the bracelet before wrapping it
around the arm.

Furthermore there is no initial cause for suspicion. Like any good trick its
most successful when no one knows it happened. The body is accounted for, the
dental records match, the bracelets there, and the lone witness collaborates
it. No one starts with an unidentifiable body, a form of identification, and a
DNA match and assumes that its an elaborate conspiracy involving the coroner.
Even if a few other details at the crime scene are highly suspicious, no one
questions the identity of the corpse.


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2014-08-30T03:03:04.823
13737
2014-08-30T03:03:04.823
8192
9907
answer