About Us

FFC prides itself on its breadth of expertise and level of experience in forensic firearms and GSR cases. It’s founding Directors and Consultants, Mark Mastaglio and Angela Shaw, are regularly instructed in a wide range of criminal proceedings both in the UK and overseas. They have over 40 years collective experience in the field.

Mark is a firearms expert with nearly 30 years experience in the fields of firearms legislation, classification of firearms and ammunition, comparison microscopy, testing and examination of weapons of all types and post mortem and scene examinations/reconstructions. He has been at the forefront of the development of UK firearms policy, legislation and standards and competency setting in forensic firearms examination. Mark is a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences and a forensic ballistics advisor to the UN. Mark is a very accomplished expert witness providing forensic firearms related expert testimony in the Magistrates, Crown, Appeal, Coroners and Military courts.
FFC holds section 5 Authority from the Secretary of State enabling us to handle and examine, in the course of our work, all forms of prohibited weapons and ammunition, as defined by the Firearms Act 1968. We are also an Associate Member of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) Firearms and GSR Working Group.
Angela is a GSR expert with over 15 years experience in the identification and interpretation of GSR findings. She has been instructed in some of the most complex and high profile cases in the UK and in a number of British Overseas Territories and her work has been crucial in several case reviews leading to murder convictions being quashed. Her attention to detail and professionalism makes her the preferred expert in extremely complicated cases and those involving low levels of GSR and potential cross-contamination. She is a very adept and highly respected expert witness. She has assisted the UK Home Office Forensic Regulator in drafting the Appendices to the Codes of Practice and Conduct for GSR examination, is a Professional Member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences and an Individual Member of the Expert Witness Institute.
