Working in crime scene investigation means facing things most people will never see. But behind every CSI is a person carrying the weight of what they have seen — and that is a conversation that doesn't get had nearly enough.

In this episode, Ange and Dee are joined by a very familiar face — Suzi Cutler, a former colleague from their time at Northumbria Police. Suzi spent almost 18 years in crime scene investigation — working as a CSI, Crime Scene Manager and Crime Scene Coordinator at Northumbria and Durham Constabulary — before moving into her current role as a UK and overseas specialist trainer, passing on her expertise to the next generation of forensic investigators at home and abroad.

We go under the barrier tape on Suzi's fascinating career journey — from her early days as a CSI inspired by Patricia Cornwell novels, through senior leadership roles, and into the world of international forensic training. We also explore what a single national police force could mean for forensic science and the training of CSIs across the UK.

But at the heart of this episode is a conversation that really matters. Suzi speaks with extraordinary candour about her experience of PTSD — how it crept up on her, what it felt like, and why she believes that if it can happen to her, it can happen to anyone. It is a powerful, honest and important conversation about the mental health toll of a career spent working with trauma, and why reducing the stigma around asking for help could change — and save — lives.

This is the third episode in which we have explored mental health in the world of forensic science and policing. It is a subject we are deeply passionate about, and we are so grateful to Suzi for having the courage to share her story.

⚠️ This episode discusses PTSD and the mental health impact of working in forensic science and policing. Listener discretion is advised.

💙 If you are struggling with your mental health, please know that help is available:

Mind Blue Light Programme — specialist mental health support for emergency services workers: mind.org.uk/bluelight

Oscar Kilo — the national police wellbeing service: oscarkilo.org.uk

Mind — for everyone: mind.org.uk or call 0300 123 3393

Samaritans — available 24/7: call 116 123

#TheCrimeSceneInsiders #TrueCrime #TrueCrimeUK #MentalHealth #PTSD #MentalHealthMatters #ForensicScience #CSI #UnderTheBarrierTape #Podcast #TrueCrimePodcast #TraumaAwareness #BlueLight #EmergencyService

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For our one-year anniversary special, we thought we’d do something a little different and take it right back to where a lot of this started — the two of us working double crewed as CSIs.

In this episode of The Crime Scene Insiders, we go back under the barrier tape and revisit some of the funniest, strangest, most chaotic and memorable jobs we attended together over the years.

From turning up to a “routine” criminal damage and finding a human knuckle… to one of the most shocking car park scenes we’ve ever dealt with… to navigating a house full of dog mess while being repeatedly assaulted by an overfriendly Alsatian — this episode is full of the moments that never make it into the documentaries, but stay with you forever when you work in crime scene investigation.

Along the way, we talk about the realities of working as CSIs, the dark humour that gets people through difficult jobs, and some of the absurd situations you find yourself in when you spend your days going under the barrier tape.

This one is funny, chaotic, slightly disgusting in places… and probably the most “Ange and Dee” episode we’ve recorded so far.

We’re also incredibly grateful to everyone who’s listened, supported us, reviewed the show, shared episodes or simply come along for the ride over the last year.

Whether you’ve been here since Episode 1 or you’ve only recently joined us — thank you for spending this last year under the barrier tape with us. 🚔

#TheCrimeSceneInsiders #TrueCrimePodcast #CrimeSceneInvestigation #Forensics #CSI #Podcast #TrueCrime

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On 22nd May 2017, a suicide bomber detonated a homemade explosive device in the foyer of Manchester Arena as thousands of concertgoers — many of them children — were leaving an Ariana Grande concert. Twenty-two innocent people were killed and hundreds more were injured. It was the biggest terrorist attack the UK had seen since the 7/7 bombings.

This episode is released one week before the 9th anniversary of that night.

In this episode, Ange and Dee are joined once again by Bob Gallagher MBE — former Senior Crime Scene Investigator, Crime Scene Manager and forensic and digital investigations lead at Greater Manchester Police's Counter Terrorism Unit. Bob received his MBE for his services to counter terrorism policing, including his role leading the forensic response to the Manchester Arena bombing.

Bob takes us under the barrier tape on the investigation — sharing details that go far beyond what the public ever gets to see. He talks us through the painstaking process of disaster victim identification, the recovery and reconstruction of the device, and the forensic pursuit of Hashim Abedi — the bomber's brother — who had fled to Libya.

He also reveals the remarkable forensic breakthrough that helped secure the case: a 20-year-old heel prick blood test taken at birth, which provided the DNA evidence needed to identify Hashim and ultimately bring him to justice. Bob was in court at the Old Bailey when the guilty verdict was returned — and he admits he shed a tear.

This is a deeply moving, forensically fascinating, and important account of what it truly took to investigate one of the darkest nights in recent British history — told by the man at the heart of it.

This episode is dedicated to the 22 lives lost on 22nd May 2017, and to all those whose lives were changed forever that night.

If you have been affected by the Manchester Arena attack, or would like to find out more about the memorial or access support, please visit 💙 manchesterattacksupport.org.uk

💙 In memory of the 22 lives lost on 22nd May 2017:

Saffie-Rose Roussos, 8

Nell Jones, 14

Sorrell Leczkowski, 14

Eilidh MacLeod, 14

Megan Hurley, 15

Olivia Campbell-Hardy, 15

Chloe Rutherford, 17 & Liam Curry, 19

Georgina Callander, 18

Courtney Boyle, 19 & Philip Tron, 32

John Atkinson, 28

Martyn Hett, 29

Kelly Brewster, 32

Angelika Klis, 39 & Marcin Klis, 42

Elaine McIver, 43

Lisa Lees, 43 & Alison Howe, 45

Michelle Kiss, 45

Wendy Fawell, 50

Jane Tweddle, 51

Forever in our hearts. Never forgotten. 💙

⚠️ This episode contains detailed descriptions of a terrorist attack, mass casualties, and graphic forensic content. Listener discretion is advised.

#TheCrimeSceneInsiders #TrueCrime #TrueCrimeUK #ManchesterArena #ManchesterBombing #BobGallagher #ForensicScience #CounterTerrorism #UnderTheBarrierTape #Podcast #TrueCrimePodcast #GreaterManchesterPolice #Justice #NeverForgotten

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