R&D - Murdering Dr. Ashford | 12: Death Factory Hitman: Absolution Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
General assumptions: It would be best to take care of Dr. Edward Ashford only after murdering Dr. Valentine, because he stays in the area close to your mission end point. Elimination of this person might be a bit more difficult, because Ashford is surrounded by scientists and factory guards.
In order to get to the place where Dr. Edward Ashford stays, you have to get to the lowest silo's level (screen above). If you play on lower difficulty levels, then you can try to stay in researcher disguise. Otherwise I suggest obtaining factory guard disguise, attacking a guard near the special weapons room for example.
After reaching your destination, ignore Dr. Ashford for now and head to the opposite end of the oval area, finding a valve shown on the above screen. After turning it, steam will appear, which remains here for 30 seconds, effectively blinding nearby characters.
Now you can act in two main ways. If you want to quickly finish the mission, it is a good opportunity to shoot Ashford with a gun with silencer of course. But such action may alarm guards, even before steam disappears. The same is with detonating remote explosives, which could additionally result in unnecessary casualties.
A much better idea is eliminating the scientist in an arranged accident connected with sample robot. After turning the mentioned valve, quickly choose a left passage, sneaking past single enemy and looking for evidence shown on the above screen.
Now you have to reach a lab room shown on the above screen, located directly under the stairs, which you've used to get to the lower part of the silo.
Once you get inside a new room, stand at the left computer terminal and do not move. Wait, until Dr. Ashford comes here and sits in the chair after a moment. Now you can activate sample robot, thus eliminating the scientist.
The only thing left is to leave the room. Activate Instinct and exit the lab, because you'll have to walk past at least two guards on your way. Keep using Instinct until you move away from them.