With over three decades of experience and a PhD in wood decay micromorphology, Robin has examined more than 100,000 material samples across thousands of cases worldwide. His work bridges laboratory precision with real-world problem solving, helping insurers, lawyers, building professionals, and government agencies uncover what went wrong, when, and why. He is widely recognised as a biodeterioration of materials expert, forensic microbiology consultant, and independent expert witness for building insurance disputes.
About
Curriculum vitae
Beyond consultancy, Robin is a passionate educator and contributor to international research. He has published widely, served as an expert witness for mould damage and mould litigation expert witness in legal disputes, and been invited to speak at international conferences on material preservation and forensic microbiology. With a background that spans both industry and academia, he brings clarity and integrity to complex technical issues — always with the goal of turning evidence into understanding through expert forensic reports for insurers and legal disputes water damage forensic consultant services.
9,000
buildings assessed
100,000
samples under the microscope
30
years' forensic consulting
Teaching
Teaching professionals to recognise and understand their in-house challenges.
Dr Robin Wakeling is a sought-after educator in the fields of biodeterioration, wood decay, and forensic microbiology. He has been invited to teach at universities, industry workshops, and international conferences, offering both foundational and advanced insights into the behaviour of decay fungi, fungal and bacterial damage investigations, material degradation, and investigative techniques used in building damage causation reports.
Speaking to the Science
Dr Robin Wakeling is a respected public speaker known for making complex forensic and microbiological concepts accessible and engaging. He has been invited to speak at international conferences, government forums, industry events, and technical symposia, sharing insights into material decay, mould, moisture damage, and building forensics. Robin is available for new speaking opportunities, from keynote presentations and expert panels to industry training and public seminars. He also addresses issues such as:
- How to prove when mould damage started in a building
- Who is liable for water damage after a flood?How forensic experts determine pre vs post-flood damage
- What evidence is needed in mould-related insurance claims?
Selected Speaking Engagements:
International Research Group on Wood Protection – Annual Meetings
International Symposia on Biodeterioration and Biodegradation - Triannual meetings
American Wood Preservers Asociation - Annual Meetings
Building Research Association of New Zealand - guest speaker
Symposia on Chemical Modification of Wood- Annual Meetings
Proceedings of the Cooling Tower Institute annual conference, Houston, USA - Guest Speaker
Publications
Forensics and research that holds up in court
Dr Robin Wakeling has authored and co-authored dozens of scientific papers, technical reports, and confidential investigations in the field of biodeterioration of materials, wood composite mould damage, fungal microbiology, biodeterioration of art works and material failure. His work has been presented at international conferences and cited in legal cases, industry standards, and preservation research.
Wakeling, R.N. & Morris, P. (2013)
Wood deterioration in ground contact hazards. American Wood Preservers Association.
Stahlhut, D. et al. (2009)
PCR identification of wood decay fungi from NZ leaky buildings. PhD Thesis, Waikato University.
Wakeling, R.N. (2006)
New Observations and Interpretation for Tunnelling Bacteria Decay. IRG Conference, Norway.
Wakeling, R.N. (2001)
Sapstain control in logs and lumber. FIEA Biannual Sapstain Symposium.
Eden, D. et al. (2000)
In-forest fungal control trials on radiata pine logs. IRG/WP Document 00-30220.
