Rural Digital Forensics Initiative

About the Project

Rural Digital Forensics Initiative (RDFI) 

Supported by the U.S. Department of Justice, the RDFI is actively developing a training lab solution for digital forensics that is applicable to rural communities across the United States. This ongoing initiative includes the establishment of a working digital forensics laboratory and digital content production studio on the University of Southern Mississippi campus. Together, these facilities are being used to create training content for law enforcement to better understand digital forensics processes and capabilities, supporting rural law enforcement efforts nationally. 

Our Curriculum

The RDFI curriculum covers a multitude of topics related to digital forensics: 

• Purpose and importance of digital forensics for law enforcement
• Digital forensics technologies and current technical systems
• Digital forensics laboratory capabilities
• Chain of custody and warrants for digital forensics
• Ethical considerations for collecting and processing digital evidence
• Device collection protocols: identification and collection
• Storage and management of digital devices
• Device processing for minor and major evidence extraction
• Reading and processing digital forensics reports
• Courtroom testimony related to digital evidence
  
  

Accessing RDFI Training

Long-form RDFI training content is designed to provide law enforcement with a strong understanding of digital forensics, beginning with a basic 10-hour certification course and building into a module-based 30-hour advanced certification course. Law enforcement personnel are encouraged to investigate whether RDFI courses satisfy continuing education credits in their particular state. The RDFI is also pleased to have our content distributed by Virtual Academy, a nationally-recognized training platform serving law enforcement.

 

Our Facilities

Mobile devices and forensic examination documentation in the RDFI Lab for the digital evidence analysis process

A look inside the Rural Digital Forensics Initiative (RDFI) Studio, which promotes digital forensic literacy.

 

RDFI Leadership Team

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RDFI Staff Team

Vivek Paudel 

Studio Graduate Assistant

Major: Communications (PhD)

Responsibilities: Vivek serves as the assistant producer for the RDFI Studio, coordinating efforts between team members, negotiating production timelines, and providing years of production expertise to studio operations. 

William Wroten

Laboratory Graduate Assistant

Major: Computer Science (MS)

Responsibilities: Will assists in the daily operations of the RDFI Digital Forensics Laboratory, supporting ongoing police investigations by managing lab resources, while also coordinating lab and studio functions. 

Parker Andrews

Audio Specialist 

Major: Media and Entertainment Arts (Sound & Recording Arts) 

Responsibilities: Parker provides audio specialization to the RDFI Studio Team, alongside supporting preproduction and postproduction activities, ensuring high-quality standards for RDFI training materials. 

Rochak Basnet

Video Specialist 

Major: Media and Entertainment Arts (Video Arts)

Responsibilities: Rochak provides video specialization to the RDFI Studio Team, informing all phases of production (pre-production, production, post-production) activities and ensuring high-quality standards for RDFI training materials.

Blake Brooks 

Video Specialist

Major: Media and Entertainment Arts (Video Arts) Graduate

Responsibilities: Blake provides video specialization to the RDFI Studio Team, informing all phases of production (pre-production, production, post-production) activities and ensuring high-quality standards for RDFI training materials.

Danielle Duffield

Content Strategist

Major: Communication Studies

Responsibilities: Danielle develops and manages the content distribution strategy for RDFI materials, including a social media pipeline for short-form content and a publishing framework for a long-form training resources. 

Luke Hale

Video Specialist

Major: Media and Entertainment Arts (Video Arts)

Responsibilities: Luke provides video specialization to the RDFI Studio Team, informing all phases of production (pre-production, production, post-production) activities and ensuring high-quality standards for RDFI training materials.

William Rawls

Social Media Creator

Major: Media and Entertainment Arts (Management)

Responsibilities: William assists with social media content development and on-location production within the RDFI Studio. He helps manage the imaging equipment, electronics, and other technologies used in the field for recording.

 

Former Staff

Alexander Bradley

Year: 2024-2025

Ashley Lewis 

Year: 2025-2026

Elisha Williams

Year: 2025-2026