Peter Faulding Biography
Peter Faulding is a specialist diver and head of Specialist Group International (SGI), a private company that focuses on underwater search and recovery. He gained widespread attention for his involvement in high-profile cases, including the search for missing mother Nicola Bulley in early 2023. Faulding’s team used advanced sonar equipment to assist the police in searching the River Wyre, where Bulley was last seen. Although his search did not initially yield results, a body was later found in the river.
Faulding has a long history of working on challenging and sensitive cases, including those involving serial killers and missing persons. His expertise and resources are often called upon by families and law enforcement when traditional search methods fail. Most recently, in early 2024, he joined the search for a missing two-year-old boy, Xielo Maruziva, who fell into the River Soar in Leicestershire.
Throughout his career, Faulding has been both praised and criticized for his approach and interactions with the police. He has sometimes expressed frustration when he believes critical information has not been shared with his team, which he claims would have improved the outcomes of certain searches.
Peter Faulding Age
Peter Faulding is 61 years old, as of 2024​.
Peter Faulding Hometown
Peter Faulding’s hometown is not publicly disclosed.
Peter Faulding Qualifications
Peter Faulding is a qualified commercial diver and a helicopter and fixed-wing pilot, holding both UK and US FAA pilot licenses. He went through the selection course for the 10th Volunteer Battalion, Parachute Regiment, earning the Maroon Beret and qualifying as a military parachutist.
Peter Faulding Career
Peter Faulding has had a diverse and impactful career in search and rescue operations, beginning at an early age when he explored disused mines and caves with his father. This early fascination with confined spaces laid the foundation for his future expertise in rescue operations. His career took off in 1996 when he was tasked with safely removing environmental protesters from man-made tunnels under the proposed Newbury Bypass. This high-stakes operation showcased his skills and led to similar assignments, including removing well-known protester Swampy from tunnels under the A30 Honiton Bypass in 1997.
In the late 1990s, Faulding began working more closely with law enforcement, becoming an adviser to the Home Office’s ‘Policing of Environmental Protest’ group. His career in forensic search and recovery further developed as he began employing side-scan sonar technology, which he first encountered in 1998 while researching in the United States.
Faulding founded Specialist Group International (SGI), a company that specializes in search and recovery operations, particularly in confined spaces and underwater environments. Over the years, SGI has been involved in many notable cases, such as the search for five-year-old April Jones in 2012 and assisting with the recovery of remains linked to serial killer Peter Tobin.
His career reached new levels of public attention in 2023 when he led the search for missing mother Nicola Bulley in the River Wyre, Lancashire. Using advanced sonar equipment, Faulding and his team were tasked with scanning a three-mile stretch of the river. Although his team did not initially find Bulley, her body was later discovered downstream.
Despite his long-standing career, Faulding faced challenges after the Nicola Bulley case, including being temporarily removed from the National Crime Agency’s expert adviser list. This incident sparked debates about the role of private specialists in public investigations, but Faulding remained committed to his work, defending his methods and expressing confidence in his team’s capabilities.
Throughout his career, Faulding has also trained military and police search advisors in the UK and acted as a guest instructor with the US Secret Service, FBI, and American military. His work across borders and with various agencies demonstrates his global impact and the high regard in which he is held within the field of forensic search and rescue.
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Peter Faulding Book
Peter Faulding has written one book, What Lies Beneath: My Life as a Forensic Search and Rescue Expert, which was published in February 2023 by Pan Macmillan. In this gripping memoir, Faulding shares his experiences as a leading forensic search expert, detailing his work in recovering bodies, finding missing persons, and assisting with major criminal investigations. The book covers high-profile cases, from cold cases and serial killers to the mysterious death of MI6 officer Gareth Williams.
Faulding also delves into the technical aspects of his profession, discussing the use of side-scan sonar and other advanced technologies in forensic searches. His work in dangerous environments, including confined spaces and underwater recovery, is recounted in a narrative that blends real-life investigations with the tension and drama of a thriller.
Peter Faulding Wife and Children
We do know that Peter Faulding is married and has a family, however, details regarding his wife and children are not publicly disclosed. He lives with his family on a farm in West Sussex.Â
Peter Faulding Net Worth
Peter Faulding has an estimated net worth of £1.2 million as of 2024.
Peter Faulding Twitter Presence
Peter Faulding is active on Twitter, where he engages with followers regarding his work in search and rescue, forensic investigations, and high-profile cases. His handle is @peter_faulding, where he shares insights and updates about ongoing recovery missions, his involvement in complex missing person cases, and his expertise in the use of advanced search technology, such as sonar equipment.
FAQs
Who is Peter Faulding?
Peter Faulding is a renowned forensic search and rescue specialist and the founder of Specialist Group International (SGI). He has worked on numerous high-profile missing persons and criminal cases, using advanced search technology like sonar.
What is Specialist Group International?
Specialist Group International (SGI) is a search and rescue company founded by Faulding. The company specializes in confined space rescue, underwater search, and forensic recovery operations.
What is Peter Faulding’s role in the Nicola Bulley case?
Faulding was called in by Nicola Bulley’s family to assist in the search for her after she went missing in January 2023. Using sonar equipment, his team searched the River Wyre, although they did not find her initially.
How did Peter Faulding become a search expert?
Faulding’s interest in search and rescue began in childhood, exploring disused caves and tunnels with his father. His career took off in the 1990s when he started advising on environmental protester removal and expanded into forensic search​.
Has Peter Faulding worked on other high-profile cases?
Yes, Faulding has worked on several significant cases, including the “Spy in the Bag” case involving MI6 officer Gareth Williams and the search for serial killer Peter Tobin’s victims.
What search technologies does Faulding use?
Faulding uses advanced technology like side-scan sonar and ground-penetrating radar to locate missing persons and bodies in underwater and confined spaces​.
What were the criticisms of Faulding’s involvement in the Nicola Bulley case?
Some police reports suggested that Faulding’s media statements during the search caused confusion and affected public perception of the investigation. However, Faulding defended his actions, stating that he was not provided with critical information​.
What other organizations has Faulding collaborated with?
Faulding has worked with police, fire services, and international agencies such as the FBI, US Secret Service, and UK military​.
What is Peter Faulding’s military background?
Faulding served six years in the British Army’s Parachute Regiment, earning the Maroon Beret and qualifying as a military parachutist​.
Has Peter Faulding written a book?
Yes, Faulding authored What Lies Beneath, a memoir detailing his experiences in forensic search and rescue, sharing stories from high-profile cases and his professional life.
