Mike graduated from Keble College, Oxford University in 1981 with a degree in Physiological Sciences and went on to obtain an MSc in Forensic Science from the University of Strathclyde. In 2011 he completed his PhD with the University of Staffordshire having researched handwriting development in children.
Mike's forensic career began in 1983 in the Questioned Documents section of the Forensic Science Service laboratory in Birmingham, UK. In 1992, together with six colleagues, he helped to set up Document Evidence Limited to supply forensic document examination in the private sector to many police forces, other public bodies as well as lawyers and private clients. In 2008 Mike decided to semi-retire leaving Document Evidence but continuing to do some casework until finally retiring from that in 2013 having examined thousands of cases and given evidence in court on hundreds of occasions. He has been teaching document examination in several universities for a number of years and continues to do so.
Mike was Lead Assessor in Questioned Documents in the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners from its inception and continued to play a role until its eventual closure in 2009. He has also been manager for the diplomas in Questioned Documents and Identity Documents for the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (previously the Forensic Science Society).