Matteo Gallidabino

2

Articles

4

Comments

Dr. Matteo Gallidabino is a forensic chemist at King’s College London, where he investigates the chemical traces left behind in serious crimes, including gun violence and terrorist acts. Originally trained at the University of Lausanne — one of the world’s top forensic science institutions — he completed a PhD on using volatile gunshot residues to estimate when a firearm was discharged.

His research bridges analytical chemistry, forensic science, and data modelling, combining cutting-edge techniques like chemometrics and machine learning, to extract richer, context-driven insights from complex materials. Matteo leads interdisciplinary projects on the transfer and profiling of explosive and gunshot residues, with growing work on environmental forensics, including microfibre pollution.

His studies have influenced modern forensic practices and appear in leading journals. He also serves on the editorial boards of Science & Justice and Forensic Science International, and is an active member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

Experience

  • 2022–present
    Assistant Professor, King's College London
  • 2018–2022
    Assistant Professor, Northumbria University (UK)
  • 2016–2017
    Post-Doctoral Fellow, King's College London (UK)
  • 2010–2015
    Graduate Teaching & Research Assistant, University of Lausanne (Switzerland)
  • 2014–2014
    Part-Time Research Fellow, University of Lausanne (Switzerland)
  • 2010–2010
    Visiting Researcher, Arma dei Carabinieri (Italy)

Education

  • 2016 
    University of Lausanne (Switzerland), PhD in Forensic Science
  • 2010 
    University of Lausanne (Switzerland), MSc in Forensic Science
  • 2008 
    University of Lausanne (Switzerland), BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science

Publications

  • 2021
    Ion beam analysis (IBA) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for forensic characterisation of authentic Viagra® and of sildenafil-based illegal products, Talanta
  • 2020
    Estimation of the time since last discharge of firearms and spent ammunition elements: state of art and perspectives, Forensic Science International
  • 2020
    A study on contactless airborne transfer of textile fibres between different garments in small compact semi-enclosed spaces, Forensic Science International
  • 2019
    Comparative assessment of a novel photo-anthropometric landmark-positioning approach for the analysis of facial structures on two-dimensional images, Journal of Forensic Sciences
  • 2019
    Prediction of bioconcentration factors in fish and invertebrates using machine learning, Science of the Total Environment
  • 2019
    Quantitative profile-profile relationship (QPPR) modelling: a novel machine learning approach to predict and associate chemical characteristics of unspent ammunition from gunshot residue (GSR), Analyst
  • 2019
    Targeted and non-targeted forensic profiling of black powder substitutes and gunshot residue using gradient ion chromatography – high resolution mass spectrometry (IC-HRMS), Analytica Chimica Acta
  • 2018
    Age estimation by assessment of pulp chamber volume: a Bayesian network for the evaluation of dental evidence, International Journal of Legal Medicine
  • 2018
    Suspect screening of halogenated carboxylic acids in drinking water using ion chromatography – high resolution (Orbitrap) mass spectrometry (IC-HRMS), Talanta
  • 2018
    DNA methylation-based age prediction using massively parallel sequencing data and multiple machine learning models, Forensic Science International: Genetics
  • 2018
    Machine learning for environmental toxicology: a call for integration and innovation, Environmental Science & Technology
  • 2017
    Time since discharge of 9 mm cartridges by headspace analysis, part 1: comprehensive optimisation and validation of a headspace sorptive extraction (HSSE) method, Forensic Science International
  • 2017
    Time since discharge of 9 mm cartridges by headspace analysis, part 2: ageing study and estimation of the time since discharge using multivariate regression, Forensic Science International
  • 2017
    Cartridge case and bullet comparison: examples of evaluative reporting, AFTE Journal
  • 2016
    Probabilistic graphical models to deal with age estimation of living persons, International Journal of Legal Medicine
  • 2016
    Commentary on: Chang et al., J Forensic Sci, 2015;60(4);869-877, Journal of Forensic Science
  • 2015
    Commentary on: Gauriot et al., J Forensic Sci, 2013;58(5);1149-1155, Journal of Forensic Sciences
  • 2015
    Characterization of volatile organic gunshot residues in fired handgun cartridges by headspace sorptive extraction, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
  • 2014
    Development of a novel headspace sorptive extraction method to study the aging of volatile compounds in spent handgun cartridges, Analytical Chemistry
  • 2013
    Estimating the time since discharge of spent cartridges: a logical approach for interpreting the evidence, Science & Justice
  • 2011
    Differentiation of blue ballpoint pen inks by positive and negative LDI-MS, Forensic Science International

Grants and Contracts

  • 2018
    Quantitative profile-profile relationship (QPPR) modelling: a novel approach to predicting ammunition characteristics from gunshot residue (GSR) and associating different specimens
    Role:
    Principal Investigator
    Funding Source:
    Swiss National Science Foundation
  • 2016
    Analysis of explosives by ion chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (IC-HRMS)
    Role:
    Principal Investigator
    Funding Source:
    Swiss National Science Foundation

Professional Memberships

  • The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
  • The Royal Society of Chemistry

Research Areas

  • Analytical Chemistry (0301)
  • Forensic Chemistry (039902)
  • Chemical Sciences (03)
  • Applied Statistics (010401)
  • Mathematical Sciences (01)
  • Statistics (0104)
  • Forensic Statistics (010403)
  • Separation Science (030108)

Contact Matteo for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision