David Baldwin

Marks Expert

David is an international acknowledge expert on marks (footwear marks, footwear intelligence, tool marks, physical fits, manufacturing detail and plastic packaging).

David worked at the Forensic Science Service Ltd (FSS) where he was the principal scientist for Marks and worked on complex and sensitive high-profile investigations in the UK and overseas, providing expert- witness testimony for over 30 years in cases covering a wide range of offences from terrorist incidents, murder, to burglary and theft. International work has included examinations for the UN and for the FBI. In all cases, he ensured that rigorous standards were applied, and suitable conclusions reached.

He received the Metropolitan Police Commissions Commendation in recognition of his professionalism and ability in a complex murder investigation. He has given expert testimony in Magistrates’, Crown, and Appeal Courts. As quality and technical lead within the FSS, David developed all Marks examination standards and competencies used by the FSS, leading to greater consistency in operating procedures and competence monitoring.

He has undertaken quality reviews, investigations and audits and been directly involved in setting up proficiency tests and trials.

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David has created and managed bespoke training programmes for trainee forensic scientists covering footwear, tool marks, manufacturing detail and plastic packaging. He was responsible for assessing overall performance and readiness to practise as qualified experts. He has delivered training and awareness sessions to external customers and international scientists including being a nominated expert for EU sponsored projects in the Czech Republic and Lithuania.

Elected in 2005 as chairman of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI), Marks Expert Working Group, he was instrumental in driving forward the expert working group in ENFSI and made a significant contribution to the success of the group representing them at annual joint meetings with the ENFSI Board as well as attending meetings organised by other groups including the Quality Control Committee.

David is a trained auditor and regularly undertook audits within the FSS in various disciplines. Since 2012 David has worked as an independent consultant for United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and undertaken work as a Technical Assessor to the international standard ISO17025 and to the Forensic Science Regulators Code of Conduct and Practice. He has also worked as a technical assessor for overseas organisations. David was the UK Marks Lead Assessor for The Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners (CRFP) for a total of seven years until its demise in 2009.

Further details can be found at David’s Linkedin Profile page.

Service Offerings

ACTIVITIES that can be provided for MARKS work (Footwear Marks, Tool Marks, Manufactured Items, Plastic Sheet/Film, Physical Fits)

  • Advice and Consultancy
  • Casework – prosecution, defence, civil cases, cold case reviews (not in the UK due to conflict with work for UKAS)
  • Marks Training 
  • Expert Witness Training
  • Lecturing – Marks area and general forensic awareness
  • Quality Systems – Documentation, SOP’s, advice, audit, review
  • Quality Investigations/reviews