About

Diana Kappatos is a forensic toxicologist with more than 50 years’ experience working across clinical, research and forensic science settings in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. She trained as a toxicologist and chemist and began her career with Wellington Hospital and the Wellington Clinical School, before joining the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR). She also undertook early international experience at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. Diana has been employed by PHF Science and its predecessor organisations since 1988, with a sustained focus on the analysis of illicit drugs and alcohol. Throughout her career, Diana has contributed to the development and delivery of forensic toxicology services, including analytical method development and validation, quality assurance and accreditation, expert witness testimony, and the training and mentoring of toxicologists. She has been involved in the analysis of tens of thousands of cases and has provided expert evidence in High Court proceedings, coronial inquests, and criminal and civil cases. Her work has consistently applied international best practice within the New Zealand context. In the past decade, Diana’s scientific focus has centred on novel psychoactive substances and drug surveillance. She led the 'Border to Grave' Drug Surveillance project, which integrated intelligence from border detections, police seizures, clinical presentations, and coronial and driving impairment cases to improve understanding of emerging drug harms. She also played a key role in establishing the Unknown Substances in Emergency Departments (USED) programme, enabling the analysis of biological samples from patients presenting with suspected drug-related harm. Through this work, and her contribution to national drug early warning systems, Diana has supported evidence-based responses to emerging drug threats and strengthened the interface between forensic toxicology, public health and the justice system.