Signs of trouble started by experts (6)
I believe the answer is:
traces
'signs' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'trouble started by experts' is the wordplay.
'started' indicates taking the first letters.
'by' becomes 'r' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'experts' becomes 'aces' (ace is a kind of expert).
The first letter of 'trouble' is 't'.
't'+'r'+'aces'='TRACES'
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for traces that I've seen before include "Tracks down or outlines" , "Vestiges (that may be kicked over?)" , "Sketches the outline of" , "Slight indications on parts of the harness" , "Just detectable amounts" .)