Harding University’s Digital Forensics Lab in Searcy has received 2 special awards from Jefferson County, honoring both an individual staff member and the laboratory for outstanding service, technical excellence, and dedication to supporting law enforcement investigations.
Sage Kingsriter, the lab’s quality control manager, received an individual award recognizing her hard work, professionalism, and important contributions to the laboratory’s growth and success.
The Harding University Digital Forensics Lab also received a separate award from Jefferson County recognizing its outstanding digital forensic support, technical expertise, and willingness to assist the county agency with investigative needs.
The Harding University Digital Forensics Lab awards come as the lab continues expanding its services and strengthening partnerships with law enforcement agencies throughout Arkansas.
Sage Kingsriter Honored for Dedication and Professional Excellence
Kingsriter received special recognition for her dedication to Harding University’s Digital Forensics Lab and her contributions to its continued development.
As quality control manager, Kingsriter helps support the laboratory’s commitment to maintaining high professional standards in digital evidence processing and analysis.
Quality control is an important part of digital forensic investigations because law enforcement agencies must be able to rely on accurate, properly documented, and scientifically sound findings.
The recognition from Jefferson County highlights Kingsriter’s contributions to the laboratory’s operations and its mission of providing dependable forensic support.
Her work has played an important role in the lab’s growth and success as the facility continues serving law enforcement agencies throughout Arkansas.
Harding Digital Forensics Lab Receives Separate Award
In addition to Kingsriter’s individual recognition, Jefferson County presented a separate award to the Harding University Digital Forensics Lab.
The award recognized the laboratory for outstanding digital forensic support, technical excellence, and its willingness to assist the agency.
The recognition reflects the laboratory’s role in helping investigators examine digital evidence that may be important in criminal investigations.
Digital forensic examinations can provide investigators with information from electronic devices, including communications, photographs, records, and other electronically stored evidence.
The laboratory’s services help law enforcement agencies access specialized technology and expertise that may not be available within their own departments.
The Jefferson County recognition highlights the importance of cooperation between Harding University and public safety agencies across Arkansas.
What Does Harding’s Digital Forensics Lab Do?
Located on the campus of Harding University in Searcy, the Digital Forensics Lab provides specialized services involving the recovery, preservation, examination, and analysis of digital evidence.
The laboratory works with Arkansas law enforcement agencies to assist with investigations involving mobile phones and other digital evidence.
Services include:
- Digital evidence extraction — Recovering information from mobile devices using specialized forensic technology.
- Digital forensic analysis — Examining extracted data for information potentially relevant to investigations.
- Communication records — Analyzing available text messages, call records, emails, and application information.
- Digital images and files — Examining photographs, videos, documents, and other digital materials.
- Investigative timelines — Helping investigators reconstruct sequences of events using available digital information.
- Evidence preservation — Following strict procedures designed to protect evidence integrity and maintain a documented chain of custody.
- Technical support — Assisting law enforcement agencies with specialized digital forensic questions and investigative needs.
- Law enforcement training — Helping investigators improve their understanding of digital evidence collection, examination, and preservation.
The laboratory’s mission is to provide timely, accurate digital forensic services while helping law enforcement agencies reduce evidence processing backlogs.
Services are especially valuable to smaller departments and agencies with limited access to specialized forensic equipment and personnel.
Lab Received National Accreditation in 2025
Harding University’s Digital Forensics Lab reached an important milestone in October 2025 when it received ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for forensic services from the ANSI National Accreditation Board.
The accreditation recognizes the laboratory’s technical competence and adherence to established standards for forensic testing.
Accreditation involves an evaluation of laboratory procedures, technical practices, documentation, quality assurance, and evidence handling.
For law enforcement agencies, the recognition provides additional assurance that the laboratory operates under recognized forensic testing standards.
Quality management is an important part of maintaining accreditation and ensuring reliable forensic examination results.
The recent recognition of Kingsriter and the laboratory from Jefferson County adds to the facility’s growing list of professional accomplishments.
$1.5 Million State Grant Helped Expand Laboratory
Harding University announced in November 2024 that its Digital Forensics Lab had received a $1.5 million state grant to expand the facility.
The funding was part of Arkansas’ Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development initiative.
The grant supported additional personnel, advanced forensic equipment, and expanded educational opportunities.
The investment was designed to strengthen the laboratory’s ability to assist law enforcement while preparing students for careers in cybersecurity and digital forensic investigations.
The laboratory has continued expanding its capabilities as demand for digital evidence processing increases.
Students Receive Hands-On Forensic Training
One of the distinctive features of Harding University’s Digital Forensics Lab is its combination of public safety services and student education.
The facility provides students with opportunities to develop practical skills in digital forensic technology, cybersecurity, and criminal justice.
Students can gain experience working with specialized equipment and learning the procedures used in professional forensic laboratories.
Training opportunities include evidence preservation, digital investigation methods, forensic software, and the legal requirements associated with handling electronic evidence.
The educational component helps prepare students for careers in law enforcement, cybersecurity, forensic science, and related technology fields.
Through its partnerships with law enforcement agencies, the laboratory connects classroom learning with professional investigative practices.
Lab Recently Hosted Community Open House
Harding University’s Digital Forensics Lab also recently welcomed visitors during an open house held as part of Harding’s 2026 Homecoming activities.
The event took place Friday, November 6, at the Mabee Business Building on the Harding University campus in Searcy.
Visitors had an opportunity to learn more about the laboratory, meet team members, and discover how its services support law enforcement agencies across Arkansas.
The open house was held from 10 AM until 3:30 PM, with an award presentation scheduled for noon in the Mabee Building lobby.
The event provided an opportunity to showcase the laboratory’s facilities, explain digital forensic services, and highlight the work being done to prepare future forensic professionals.
The open house also helped raise community awareness about how digital evidence can assist modern law enforcement investigations.
Harding Lab Supports Law Enforcement Throughout Arkansas
Harding University’s Digital Forensics Lab provides services designed to support agencies throughout Arkansas, including departments serving smaller communities and rural areas.
Digital evidence has become an increasingly important component of criminal investigations.
Mobile phones and other electronic devices may contain information that helps investigators establish timelines, identify communications, and examine potential connections between individuals and events.
Specialized forensic services can help investigators obtain and analyze relevant information while following established evidence-handling procedures.
By making these resources available to law enforcement agencies, Harding University’s laboratory helps expand access to technical capabilities that may otherwise be difficult or costly to obtain.
The lab also partners with Arkansas organizations to provide additional training opportunities for law enforcement officers.
Recognition Highlights Searcy’s Role in Digital Forensics
The Jefferson County awards are another example of the growing impact of Harding University’s Digital Forensics Lab beyond White County.
The laboratory has developed into a resource for law enforcement agencies across Arkansas while providing specialized training and career preparation for Harding students.
The recognition of Sage Kingsriter highlights the contributions of the professionals responsible for maintaining the laboratory’s quality and reliability.
The separate laboratory award recognizes the combined efforts of the team and its commitment to supporting criminal investigations.
Together, the awards underscore the importance of cooperation between higher education, technology professionals, and law enforcement agencies.
The recognition also brings additional attention to Searcy and Harding University’s expanding role in digital forensic education and public safety support.
Harding University Digital Forensics Lab Information
Location: Harding University, Mabee Business Building, Searcy, Arkansas
Phone: 501-279-5423
Email: HUDFL@harding.edu
Website: hudfl.org
Source: Harding University Digital Forensics Lab; Harding University; Jefferson County recognition information; Harding University Homecoming 2026
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