Through the CSI Lens: Behind the yellow tape

Kristina Brakeman

Through the CSI Lens: Behind the yellow tape steps into the mind of a seasoned Crime Scene Investigator—where every detail matters, every sense is on high alert, and every case leaves an imprint on the soul. In “Through the CSI Lens,” I invite you into my world with a dual promise: personal stories that lay bare the emotional weight of the job, and forensic clarity that reveals how the science truly works. Part memoir, part masterclass in crime scene investigation—this podcast brings you my real-life experiences, from the adrenaline-fueled entry into a volatile scene to the painstaking analysis under the evidence light. Each episode unpacks a technique, a case, or a moment that shaped me: from that tiny speck of blood that cracked a case wide open to the emotional cost that lingers behind closed tape. Expect vivid recollections, insightful forensic breakdowns, and candid reflections on what it means to turn chaos into clarity. Whether you're drawn to the procedural rigor or the human side of CSI—“Through the CSI Lens” educates, entertains, and invites you to see the unseen through eyes that have stared down darkness and still hold steady.

  1. MAR 27

    Episode 5: When Power Preys: A Case of Hidden Abuse

    Send us Fan Mail 🕵️‍♀️Episode 5: When Power Preys: A Case of Hidden Abuse In this episode, we examine a deeply disturbing case involving abuse of power, where young women placed in positions of trust became victims behind the very doors they were expected to feel safe in. As a crime scene investigator, this case reinforced critical realities about our role in the justice process.  Testimony became a powerful tool, translating forensic findings into clear, factual narratives that a jury could understand and rely on. Every detail mattered, and every word carried weight. It also underscored the importance of evidence preservation. From the moment I became involved, maintaining the integrity of the evidence was essential to ensuring it remained reliable and admissible in court. But just as important was a hard truth: 👉 You cannot control how evidence is handled before it reaches you. What you can control is what happens next, your documentation, your processing, and your commitment to preserving the truth. This episode is not just about the crime, it’s about accountability, process, and the role forensic professionals play in seeking justice. 🎧 New episode out now. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. #TrueCrimePodcast #ForensicScience #CrimeSceneInvestigation #ExpertTestimony #EvidenceMatters #JusticeSystem #CSI #Forensics #PodcastEpisode 🔬 Follow us for behind-the-scenes insights, case files, and updates: Instagram through_the_csi_lens or email 📧 at throughthecsilens@gmail.com

    45 min

  2. FEB 28

    Season 2: Episode 4: What the Car Revealed: A Teen Girl’s Silence, a CSI’s Search

    Send us Fan Mail 🕵️‍♀️Season 2: Episode 4: What the Car Revealed: A Teen Girl’s Silence, a CSI’s Search As a CSI, some scenes never leave you. In this episode, I take you inside a search warrant on a suspect vehicle connected to the sexual assault and murder of a teenage girl, betrayed by the one person who should have protected her. This isn’t about shock value. It’s about process, evidence, and giving a voice to someone who was silenced. From securing the vehicle to documenting what couldn’t be unseen, this episode walks through how forensic science helps speak the truth when victims no longer can. Forensic science isn’t just lab work, it’s responsibility. In this episode, I break down a real-world search warrant on a suspect vehicle tied to the sexual assault and murder of a teenage girl by her mother’s boyfriend. We talk procedure, evidence handling, and why every step matters, especially when a child is the victim. 🎧 New episode out now. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. 🔬 Follow us for behind-the-scenes insights, case files, and updates: Instagram through_the_csi_lens or email 📧 at throughthecsilens@gmail.com

    40 min

  3. FEB 14

    Season 2: Episode 3: Death Investigation intricacies

    Send us Fan Mail Season 2: Episode 3: Death investigations are never just “cases.” They are moments where grief, shock, and unanswered questions collide. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of death investigations, how investigators are trained to approach them methodically, leaving emotion out of decision-making while still respecting the human weight of every scene. I talk about: • Why death scenes are some of the most emotionally charged calls • How families and circumstances shape every investigation • How my agency handled a wide range of death investigations • The critical role the Medical Examiner/Medical Investigator’s Office played as an invaluable resource • How I personally processed different types of deaths because not all death investigations are the same This episode isn’t about sensationalism. It’s about procedure, professionalism, and the discipline it takes to do the job right…when emotions are at their highest. 🎧 New episode out now. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. 🔬 Follow us for behind-the-scenes insights, case files, and updates: Instagram through_the_csi_lens or email 📧 at throughthecsilens@gmail.com

    50 min

  4. FEB 1

    Season 2: Episode 2: PTSD in Crime Scene Investigators

    Send us Fan Mail 🕵️‍♀️ Season 2 Episode 2 Crime scene investigators don’t just process evidence, they absorb trauma. Repeated exposure to violence, death, and tragedy places CSIs at a significantly higher risk for PTSD than the general population, yet their mental health is often overlooked in conversations about first responders. If you work in forensic or investigative roles and any of this sounds familiar,  you’re not weak, and you’re not alone. PTSD isn’t a personal failure; it’s a human response to repeated trauma. Supporting crime scene investigators means recognizing that mental health is just as critical as physical safety,  and that exposure to trauma doesn’t end when the scene is cleared. In this episode, we discuss: • Why crime scene work creates cumulative trauma • What research says about PTSD rates among CSIs • Barriers to treatment and what meaningful support looks like Because clearing a scene doesn’t mean the impact disappears. Listen 🎧 on all platforms 🔬 Follow us for behind-the-scenes insights, case files, and updates: Instagram through_the_csi_lens or email 📧 at throughthecsilens@gmail.com

    48 min

  5. JAN 16

    Season 2: Episode 1: The Scene I’d Revisit

    Send us Fan Mail Season 2: Episode 1  🕵️‍♀️In this episode, I revisit a case that has never fully left me, a woman who was kidnapped and murdered. I was part of the search warrant execution at the suspect’s residence, and what unfolded there taught me lessons that no textbook ever could.  Like many investigators, I’ve had moments where I wished I could go back and do things differently, seeing the scene now through the clarity of experience. But this case also reinforced something critical: even when the weight is heavy, the work matters. From hard-earned lessons came progress, new equipment, sharper procedures, identified suspects, and ultimately, convictions.  This episode is about growth through responsibility, learning through loss, and why every detail behind the tape counts. 🔬 Follow us for behind-the-scenes insights, case files, and updates: Instagram through_the_csi_lens or email 📧 at throughthecsilens@gmail.com

    1h 4m

  6. 11/26/2025

    Episode 9: So You Want to Be a Crime Scene Investigator?

    Send us Fan Mail So You Want to Be a Crime Scene Investigator?  🔎 In this episode, we dive deep into what it really takes to launch a career in forensic science, specifically the world of Crime Scene Investigation.  From the education and certifications that matter, to how to find the right employers, build experience, and stand out in the application process, this episode gives you a clear roadmap into the field. We’ll also explore the professional organizations you should be following, what to expect in interviews, and what on-the-job training actually looks like once you’re hired.  If you’ve been considering CSI as your future career or you’re ready to take the next step this episode is your blueprint. 🔬 Follow us for behind-the-scenes insights, case files, and updates: Instagram through_the_csi_lens or email 📧 at throughthecsilens@gmail.com

    45 min

  7. 11/14/2025

    Episode 8: Where Rescue becomes Neglect

    Send us Fan Mail 🔎 Where rescue becomes neglect “Where Rescue Becomes Neglect” Animal rescue is supposed to mean safety. Care. Compassion. But in Episode 8, we look at a heartbreaking case where a rescue home became the opposite, a place of abandonment, suffering, and unimaginable neglect. Dead animals left behind. Living animals fighting to survive. A community stunned by what they discovered. This episode dives into: ✅ How a rescue operation spiraled into cruelty ✅ The dangers of unchecked rescue organizations ✅ What investigators found when they entered the property ✅ How to spot the warning signs & report animal neglect Animals can’t speak for themselves but their story deserves to be told. 🎧 Listen to Episode 8 now: “Where Rescue Becomes Neglect.” #ForensicFiles #TrueCrimePodcast #AnimalCrueltyAwareness #WhereRescueBecomesNeglect #ForensicScience #Investigation #CrimeScene 🔬 Follow us for behind-the-scenes insights, case files, and updates: Instagram through_the_csi_lens or email 📧 at throughthecsilens@gmail.com

    39 min

  8. 10/31/2025

    Episode 7: The CSI Effect: Truth vs. TV

    Send us Fan Mail  🔎 Episode 7: The CSI Effect: Truth vs. TV  Television crime dramas have shaped how many people think forensic science works — fast results, flawless evidence, and high-tech labs that never make mistakes. But the truth is far more complex. In this episode of Through the CSI Lens, we’ll separate fact from fiction and uncover the real science behind crime scene work. Join me as we explore how Hollywood has blurred the lines between entertainment and reality in the world of forensics. 🎧 Listen on all platforms. Real cases. Real forensics. The human side of crime scene investigation. 🔬 Follow us for behind-the-scenes insights, case files, and updates: Instagram through_the_csi_lens or email 📧 at throughthecsilens@gmail.com

    47 min
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4.6
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Through the CSI Lens: Behind the yellow tape steps into the mind of a seasoned Crime Scene Investigator—where every detail matters, every sense is on high alert, and every case leaves an imprint on the soul. In “Through the CSI Lens,” I invite you into my world with a dual promise: personal stories that lay bare the emotional weight of the job, and forensic clarity that reveals how the science truly works. Part memoir, part masterclass in crime scene investigation—this podcast brings you my real-life experiences, from the adrenaline-fueled entry into a volatile scene to the painstaking analysis under the evidence light. Each episode unpacks a technique, a case, or a moment that shaped me: from that tiny speck of blood that cracked a case wide open to the emotional cost that lingers behind closed tape. Expect vivid recollections, insightful forensic breakdowns, and candid reflections on what it means to turn chaos into clarity. Whether you're drawn to the procedural rigor or the human side of CSI—“Through the CSI Lens” educates, entertains, and invites you to see the unseen through eyes that have stared down darkness and still hold steady.

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