Crossword Genius

It's crucial to hear a murder suspect (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eardrum

'it's crucial to hear' is the definition.
(part of the ear necessary for hearing)

'a murder suspect' is the wordplay.
'suspect' indicates an anagram.
'a'+'murder'='amurder'
'amurder' with letters rearranged gives 'EARDRUM'.

(Other definitions for eardrum that I've seen before include "Ear membrane" , "Vibrating membrane in the head" , "Organ membrane" , "Listener partly" , "Aural membrane" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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