Crossword Genius

Insect damage is found on backstreet, reveal researchers (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

scientists

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'researchers' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'insect damage is found on backstreet' is the wordplay.
'damage' is an anagram indicator (I've seen 'damaged' mean this).
'found on backstreet' becomes 'ts' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'insect' anagrammed gives 'scient'.
'scient'+'is'+'ts'='SCIENTISTS'

'reveal' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for scientists that I've seen before include "Boffins" , "Insects sit (anag.)" , "Eg, physicists, biologists" , "They study" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app