TV thriller starring Martin Compston set in Dundee to be screened from tonight

Fife author Val McDermid’s Dundee-based forensic crime TV drama Traces is set to air tonight.

The suspense-filled crime thriller explores the world of SIFA, the Scottish Institute of Forensic Science and Anatomy, which is inspired by a real life department at Dundee University.

The show will feature Line of Duty and Sweet Sixteen star Martin Compston, who was spotted in Dundee’s City Square during filming last summer.

The Scot chatted to locals and visited City Chambers with his wife, where he met council staff and emerged with a pair of ‘Sunny Dundee’ glasses.

Wellington Street and Nelson Street were also closed while scenes were being shot. Video of this is above this story.

At one point a helicopter set off from Dundee Airport to catch shots of the city for the show.

Traces, produced by Red Production Company, is being written by actress Amelia Bullmore and also stars Molly Windsor, Laura Fraser, Jennifer Spence and John Gordon Sinclair.

Kirkcaldy-born McDermid’s story aims to shine a light on the role of science in solving mysteries.

The six-part series begins tonight at 9pm on Alibi.