I would not recommend David Madden from…
I would not recommend David Madden from DBM Independent Consultants for workplace, integrity or disciplinary investigations.
In my experience, like others I have read, the investigation was of exceptionally poor quality. The finished report was excessively long and repititive, with amaterur looking graphs and tables that were difficult to discern and appeared to add bulk rather than meaningful analysis.
A subsequent detailed review identified numerous concerns regarding evidencty accuracy, procedural fairness, treatment of witness evidence, factual conclusions and quality control leaving the report open to significant scrutiny.
I was also particularly concerned by the handling of confidential material. Personal information relating to other individuals was not securely redacted, information was covered by moveable black rectangles, allowing the underlying information to be exposed.
Prospective clients should also undertake their own due diligence regarding Mr Madden's publicly documented history. In 2005, the NSW Police Integrity COmmisssion made midconduct findings concerning Mr Madden's conduct and recommended consideration of prosecution.
His investigative history was later raised in Commonwealth Senate Estimates, including discussion of an earlier investigation involving Mr Madden that had attracted significant judicial criticism. Senators referred to criticism of that investigative process as "shabby", fundamentally flawed, involving a denial of natural justice and reaching conclusions said not to be supported by the facts.
Having reviewd the finished product of David Madden, I find that history particularly concerning. In my opinion, similar broad concerns regarding investigative rigour, evidentry discipline, procedural fairness and quality assurance are evident in the work i received.
Indepent investigators can profoundly affect peoples employment, professional standing and reputations/ Their work should therefore withstand close strutiny.
Based on my experience, the investigation by David Madden and resulting report fell well below the standard I would expect, and I therefore can not recoommend DBM Independent Consultants