30 - The Weight Behind the Barrier Tape: Suzi Cutler on CSI & Mental Health

30 - The Weight Behind the Barrier Tape: Suzi Cutler on CSI & Mental Health

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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

29 - One Year Under the Barrier Tape: Double Crewed & Telling All

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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

28 - Inside the Manchester Arena Bombing Investigation with Bob Gallagher MBE

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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

27 - From CSI to Counter Terrorism: Bob Gallagher MBE

What does it take to move from attending routine crime scenes to leading the forensic response to some of the most complex cases in the UK? In this episode, Ange and Dee are joined by Bob Gallagher MBE — former Senior Crime Scene Investigator and Crime Scene Manager with Greater Manchester Police. Bob was awarded his MBE for services to forensic and digital investigations, including his role in the forensic response to the Manchester Arena bombing. From the murders committed by Harold Shipman and the extensive exhumations that followed… to the aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing… Bob has worked on some of the most significant and complex investigations in modern UK policing. He joined GMP as a CSI in 1997 after a career in the Royal Navy, and went on to progress into senior forensic leadership roles — overseeing major murder investigations and making critical decisions under extreme operational pressure. Bob reflects on managing multiple murder scenes in a single night during what he describes as a "weekend from hell," and what it really feels like to make forensic decisions when everything is happening at once. We also hear about his move into Counter Terrorism, leading GMP's forensic and digital investigations unit — and the moment he received the call offering him that role while still at a live crime scene. This is a rare insight into what it truly means to work at the sharp end of major crime — beyond what the public ever sees, and often beyond what is ever spoken about. ⚠️ This episode contains descriptions of graphic crime scenes and violent deaths. Listener discretion is advised. 🎙️ Bob will return for a dedicated episode on the Manchester Arena investigation in a fortnight's time. #TheCrimeSceneInsiders #TrueCrime #TrueCrimeUK #BobGallagher #ForensicScience #HaroldShipman #ManchesterArena #CrimeSceneInvestigation #UnderTheBarrierTape #Podcast #TrueCrimePodcast #GreaterManchesterPolice See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

26 - 50 Years Under the Microscope: Brian Rankin on Forensic Science & the Jill Dando Case

What does nearly 50 years at the frontline of forensic science look like — and what does it tell us about one of Britain's most enduring cold cases? In this episode, Ange and Dee are joined by a very special guest and long-time mentor, Brian Rankin — former senior forensic scientist with the Home Office Forensic Science Service, former President of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, and one of the most respected voices in UK forensic science education and quality standards. Brian takes us on a fascinating journey through his career, from the early days as a forensic chemist in the late 1970s, through the transformative impact of DNA, the miscarriages of justice that forced the profession to raise its standards, and the controversial closure of the Forensic Science Service — a decision he believes the UK is still paying the price for today. We also go under the barrier tape on one of the most debated cases in British forensic history: the murder of Jill Dando. Shot on her doorstep in Fulham on 26th April 1999, her case remains unsolved to this day. Brian offers an expert forensic perspective — including the pivotal role of firearms discharge residue evidence and why a conviction was eventually quashed. This episode drops ahead of the 26th anniversary of her death on 26th April, and her case continues to raise important questions about forensic science and what it truly takes to get it right. A wide-ranging, thought-provoking conversation with one of the finest forensic minds in the UK. ⚠️ This episode discusses the details of a murder investigation. Listener discretion is advised. #TheCrimeSceneInsiders #TrueCrime #TrueCrimeUK #JillDando #ForensicScience #ColdCase #UnderTheBarrierTape #BrianRankin #Podcast #TrueCrimePodcast #ForensicScientist #UnsolvedMurder See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].