Forensic Scientist focused on analytical toxicology
25+ years’ experience in forensic/analytical chemistry, specialising in drugs of abuse and pharmaceutical compounds across diverse matrices (urine, drinks, wastewater, street samples). Current research centres on drink spiking and Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA) via lab studies, surveys, focus groups, and an adaptable educational toolkit.
Recent Activity
Featured Podcast
This SEN Insights panel with Paul explores the rising issue of drink spiking, examining trends, reporting challenges, and impacts on victim survivors. It highlights how education, technology, and collaboration can improve prevention, response, and student safety.
Say Why To Drugs Podcast Appearance - 2021
I was invited to join Dr Suzi Gage on her Say Why To Drugs podcast to discuss drink spiking, the substances involved, and what people should look out for.
Original episode hosted by Say Why To Drugs. All credit for the podcast and production goes to the original creators.
Educational Toolkit on Spiking
A concise toolkit providing guidance, resources, and educational materials on drink spiking and DFSA.
Explore ToolkitRecent Publications
Drink Spiking Research Report, 2026
Drawing on Drinkaware Monitor surveys from 2022, 2023 and 2025, this report compares trends in drink spiking and needling to show who is affected, in what settings, and how these incidents are experienced and reported. The data were collected by YouGov as part of the Drinkaware Monitor, in a research collaboration between Anglia Ruskin University and the Drinkaware charity.
Drink Spiking Research Report, 2024
This report presents findings from a two year research collaboration between Drinkaware, Anglia Ruskin University and Cambridgeshire Constabulary on drink spiking and needling in the UK. It uses an integrated five step design combining national Drinkaware Monitor surveys (2022 and 2023), investigation of venue based prevention initiatives, evaluation of drink testing kits, analysis of drinks collected from night time venues in Cambridge, and testing of urine samples. This research was funded by the Drinkaware charity.
Drink Spiking Article
I wrote a 2021 article for The Conversation, “Drink spiking: why so little is still known about this horrifying trend,” which examines the limited data on drink spiking and what is currently known about motives.
Read on The ConversationBooks and Articles
I am a co-author of Controlled Drug Analysis (Royal Society of Chemistry), written with Prof. Michael D. Cole and Dr. Agatha Grela, centred on the forensic identification and chemical profiling of street drugs and illicit substances in seized materials. While it does not cover drugs in beverages or biological matrices, it underpins my spiking research by providing robust analytical approaches for detecting and characterising trace compounds in complex real-world samples.
Visit Dr. Lata Gautam on LinkedInMedia Engagement
Interviews and commentary including BBC World Service, ABC, BBC Cambridgeshire, and more.
See media coverage