Through the CSI Lens: Behind the yellow tape

Kristina Brakeman
  • 4.6 (10)
  • Science

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. 5d ago

    Season 2: Episode 11 How Do You Leave a Crime Scene at Work?

    Send us Fan Mail 🕵️‍♀️Season 2: Episode 11  You take off your gloves. You pack up your equipment. You finish your reports, clear the scene, and head home. But what happens when the scene stays with you long after you've left? As a crime scene investigator, I spent years walking into situations that represented the worst days of someone else's life. Then, at the end of the shift, I was expected to go home and return to normal life. Make dinner. Spend time with family. Laugh at something on TV. Just be normal. But can you really leave it all at work? In this personal episode, I'm talking about the reality of working difficult scenes, what it takes to compartmentalize, and the drive home when your mind is still processing what your eyes have seen. We'll explore when compartmentalization helps us do our jobs and when those emotions can catch up with us later. I'll also share some of the things that helped me cope throughout my career, along with reflections on the emotional toll that can come with years of exposure to other people's trauma. Because the truth is, we talk a lot about the evidence, the science, and the procedures. But we don't always talk about what the work takes out of the people doing it. And this conversation isn't just for CSIs. It's for law enforcement officers, first responders, and anyone whose job requires them to show up during someone else's worst moment. The science matters, but the people matter more. That includes the people behind the badge, the camera, and the crime scene tape. 💛 You may be able to leave the scene, but learning how to take care of yourself afterward is a  🎧 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

  2. Aug 21

    Season 2: Episode 10 Between the Headlines and the Evidence

    Send us Fan Mail Season 2: Episode 10 🕵️‍♀️In this episode of Through the CSI Lens: Behind the Yellow Tape, I take a step away from the headlines and into a more personal reflection on my role as a crime scene investigator. I’ll share the experience of testifying in court and how that moment helped me recognize just how important my role was, not only in documenting and preserving evidence, but in helping tell the story of what happened when others could no longer speak for themselves. I’ll also reflect on some of the most valuable lessons crime scenes taught me over the years: the importance of paying attention to the smallest details, remaining objective, understanding that every piece of evidence has a story, and remembering that behind every case is a real person and a family whose lives have been changed forever. 🔬 Follow us for behind-the-scenes insights, case files, and updates: Instagram through_the_csi_lens or email 📧 at throughthecsilens@gmail.com

  3. Jul 2

    Season 2: Episode 9 Every skid mark tells a story

    Send us Fan Mail Season 2: Episode 9  🕵️‍♀️Behind every crash scene is a story... and sometimes, the evidence speaks louder than the witnesses. This episode of Through the CSI Lens: Behind the Yellow Tape, we're diving into the fascinating world of traffic collision investigations. From working alongside traffic investigators, detectives, and medical examiners to documenting scenes where every skid mark, debris field, and injury tells part of the story, I'll share how these investigations challenged me, taught me, and made me a better crime scene investigator. I'll also take you behind the yellow tape with a few memorable collision scenes I worked throughout my career and explain why proper photography is one of the most critical parts of documenting a traffic collision. Whether you're interested in forensic science, law enforcement, or simply curious about what really happens after a serious crash, this episode offers an inside look at the science behind the investigation. 🎧 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

  4. Jun 1

    Season 2: Episode 8 The weight of the scene

    Send us Fan Mail Season 2: Episode 8 🕵️‍♀️Some scenes stay with you. In this episode, I’m talking about one of the hardest calls first responders and investigators encounter suicide scenes. We discuss: • Common mechanisms seen in suicide investigations • Differences often observed between men and women in suicide methods • What these scenes look like from an investigative perspective • The emotional impact these calls can have on first responders, investigators, dispatchers, medical personnel, and crime scene professionals Because May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I also wanted to talk honestly about something we don’t discuss enough in this profession: taking care of yourself mentally after repeatedly responding to traumatic scenes. Checking in on your coworkers matters. Using agency resources matters. Seeking help matters. You can be strong at your job and still need support. This episode is educational, real, and focused on both the investigative side and the human side of the work. 🎧 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

  5. May 10

    Season 2: Episode 7 Let the Evidence Speak

    Send us Fan Mail 🕵️‍♀️Season 2: Episode 7 Let the Evidence Speak 🗣️  This episode explores a death investigation that initially began as a missing persons case. After additional investigative follow-up and a secondary search of the residence, officers located the missing woman inside a trash can within the home. The circumstances surrounding the scene immediately raised questions and challenged investigators’ perceptions of what may have occurred. The case became a powerful reminder of why investigators must avoid assumptions and remain objective throughout the investigative process. In this discussion, we examine: • The transition from a missing persons investigation to a death investigation • Scene interpretation and investigative bias • Why assumptions can negatively impact an investigation • The importance of remaining impartial and evidence-driven • The critical role of the Medical Examiner in determining cause and manner of death This episode highlights the importance of allowing facts, evidence, and forensic findings to guide investigative conclusions rather than emotion or personal belief. 🎧 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

  6. Apr 17

    Season 2: Episode 6: Proof I Actually Loved This Job

    Send us Fan Mail Season 2: Episode 6 🕵️‍♀️Some jobs give you a paycheck. Some give you stories you’ll be telling for the rest of your life. This episode is all about the moments that made it worth it, the ones that made me laugh when I shouldn’t have, the ones that stuck with me long after the day ended, and the ones that reminded me why I truly loved what I did. From unforgettable (and sometimes unbelievable) experiences, to the incredible training opportunities, to the people who became more than just coworkers, this one is a look behind the scenes at what made the job so impactful for me. It wasn’t always easy… but it was always memorable. If you’ve ever had a job that shaped you, challenged you, and gave you stories you still talk about, this episode is for you. 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

  7. Mar 27

    Season 2: Episode 5: When Power Preys: A Case of Hidden Abuse

    Send us Fan Mail 🕵️‍♀️Season 2: 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

  8. 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

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4.6
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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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