CJI Partners with Harding University to Expand Digital Forensics Training
The Criminal Justice Institute is proud to partner with the Harding University Digital Forensics Lab (HUDFL) to expand digital forensics training opportunities for Arkansas law enforcement. Through this partnership, six additional digital forensics courses are now available, providing officers with valuable skills to support modern investigations.
These courses are offered free of charge and do not require a membership, making advanced digital forensics training more accessible to agencies across the state.
In addition to training, HUDFL provides expert mobile device extraction and analysis services to law enforcement agencies throughout Arkansas, with a focus on supporting underserved regions. Their work helps agencies efficiently process digital evidence, strengthening investigations and supporting timely justice.
To learn more about the Harding University Digital Forensics Lab and its services, visit www.hudfl.org
Introduction to Digital Forensics (1-Day)
3/17/2026 | Criminal Justice Institute
This foundational course introduces certified law enforcement officers to the principles and processes of digital forensics. Participants will gain an overview of digital evidence types, forensic methodologies, common investigative tools, and legal considerations. Emphasis is placed on understanding how digital evidence is identified, preserved, analyzed, and presented in criminal investigations. This course is ideal for officers seeking a practical understanding of digital forensics operations and investigative applications.
Digital Evidence Handling and Processing (1-Day)
3/31/2026 | Criminal Justice Institute
This course provides officers with practical guidance on the proper identification, seizure, documentation, transportation, and storage of digital evidence. Participants will review best practices for handling computers, mobile devices, storage media, and cloud-based evidence while maintaining evidentiary integrity and chain of custody. Legal updates and common evidentiary pitfalls are addressed to ensure courtroom defensibility and investigative reliability.
Digital Forensics Search Warrant Writing (1-Day)
4/28/2026 | Criminal Justice Institute
Designed for investigators and supervisors, this course focuses on drafting legally sound and technically appropriate search warrants for digital evidence. Participants will examine current case law, probable cause articulation, nexus development, and scope limitations specific to electronic devices and online data. Practical exercises reinforce strategies for writing clear, defensible warrants that withstand judicial and appellate scrutiny.
Phone Extraction Analysis I (1-Day)
5/6/2026 | Harding University
This introductory level course provides officers with practical instruction on interpreting mobile device extraction reports. Participants will review common data artifacts, including call logs, SMS/MMS messages, contacts, images, application data, and geolocation information. Emphasis is placed on understanding extraction outputs, identifying relevant evidence, and avoiding common analytical errors. This course is appropriate for investigators new to mobile device analysis.
Phone Extraction Analysis II (1-Day)
5/7/2026 | Harding University
Building upon foundational concepts, this advanced course expands officers’ analytical capabilities in mobile device investigations. Participants will explore advanced artifact interpretation, timeline reconstruction, analysis of deleted data, third-party application artifacts, and the correlation of digital evidence with investigative facts. Case based scenarios reinforce analytical reasoning and reporting practices suitable for prosecution.
Testifying in Digital Evidence Cases (1-Day)
5/20/2026 | Criminal Justice Institute
This course prepares law enforcement professionals to effectively present digital evidence in court. Participants will review evidentiary standards, expert versus fact witness considerations, report preparation, courtroom terminology, and strategies for explaining complex technical concepts to judges and juries. Emphasis is placed on credibility, clarity, and maintaining professional integrity during direct and cross examination.
QUESTIONS? Contact Heather Bridges at 501-570-8060 or [email protected].