Silent Witness

In the opening half of this two‑part story, detectives Nikki and Jack find themselves caught up in a wave of lethal tension sweeping through Birmingham. Their task is to probe a recent, fatal stabbing that bears the hallmarks of a racially motivated attack. As they move through the city’s fraught streets, the pair must untangle the motives behind the murder while contending with the broader atmosphere of hostility that has erupted across the community. The investigation forces them to confront both the brutality of the crime itself and the underlying racial animosity that appears to have sparked it, in this volatile environment.

In the concluding half of the two‑part story, the forensic specialists turn their attention to the case file and uncover a series of inconsistencies that undermine the prosecution’s reliance on the evidence against the primary suspect. Their analysis reveals that key pieces of the forensic record are either incomplete or contradictory, casting serious doubt on the strength of the accusation. Simultaneously, the narrative takes a darker turn when another violent incident strikes, striking a personal chord with one of the detectives on the team. The assault is not merely another crime scene; it hits close to home, forcing the officer to confront a threat that feels intimately connected to their own life.

In this episode, Nikki undertakes a highly unconventional post‑mortem, focusing solely on a detached head, a method that is both singular and unsettling. The examination uncovers a disturbing finding that sends a wave of unease through the team, shaking their confidence and prompting urgent discussion. When the subsequent DNA analysis returns, the results point to a source of information that lies outside their usual network, forcing the group to turn to an unexpected quarter for expert advice. The team's morale visibly drops, and they begin to question their standard investigative procedures. The consultant they are compelled to approach, while not part of their regular circle, offers a perspective that could prove crucial to interpreting the DNA results.

In this episode, Nikki undertakes a highly unconventional post‑mortem, focusing solely on a detached head, a method that is both singular and unsettling. The examination uncovers a disturbing finding that sends a wave of unease through the team, shaking their confidence and prompting urgent discussion. When the subsequent DNA analysis returns, the results point to a source of information that lies outside their usual network, forcing the group to turn to an unexpected quarter for expert advice. The team's morale visibly drops, and they begin to question their standard investigative procedures. The consultant they are compelled to approach, while not part of their regular circle, offers a perspective that could prove crucial to interpreting the DNA results.