Katelyn Rogers is a Digital Forensics Analyst with experience in public safety and digital technology, whose work spans device evidence examination, law enforcement liaison, forensic software testing, and digital lab maintenance. She is also interested in AI software development, open-source tools, and supporting early-career practitioners and women in digital forensics.
Could you start by telling us a little about your current role and what your day-to-day work in digital forensics involves?
As a Digital Forensics Analyst for Mississippi State University (MSU) at the Mississippi Cyber Initiative’s (MCI) Digital Forensics Lab (DFL), I help agencies throughout the state of Mississippi. These agencies may be local, or federal or military organizations. The assistance we provide includes subject matter expertise, preserving and extracting devices, providing access to technology, and analyzing data on a case-by-case basis.
Our goal has always been to provide resources that may not be accessible within an agency’s own department and to offer information on available training opportunities, along with in-house assistance while personnel are learning. We also research digital forensics technology. Our lab consists of 12 workstations equipped with various tools for imaging and parsing evidence from mobile phones, storage drives, computers, gaming consoles, smartwatches, drones, skimmers, vehicles, and DVRs.
My responsibilities include administrative duties such as case management, evidence room management and tracking, and auditing our facility’s equipment. I also have the opportunity to work hands-on with incoming cases and, at times, serve as the assigned analyst conducting examinations. We handle a wide variety of cases, ranging from homicides and CSAM investigations to terroristic threats.
Your route into digital forensics has been somewhat non-traditional. How has your academic background shaped your work with law enforcement, and what have you learned from seeing both sides of the field?
Coming from the civilian side rather than a law enforcement background, there was certainly a learning curve as I worked to better understand the needs of law enforcement officers and investigators. I graduated in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology with a concentration in criminology. Prior to accepting my current position, my digital forensics experience consisted of a six-month internship at the Gulf Coast Technology Center in Mobile, Alabama, during which I became familiar with tools from vendors such as Cellebrite and Magnet Forensics. I then accepted my position with MCI.
I have been fortunate to learn from both the academic and law enforcement sides of the digital forensics field. Because many practitioners come from law enforcement backgrounds, I have noticed that academia and law enforcement sometimes approach problems from different perspectives. In my experience, this isn’t because either side is wrong. They simply work in different environments and face different challenges.
Those in academia may not always have direct exposure to the investigations, casework, and day-to-day pressures that agents and investigators encounter. At the same time, academics are often focused on advancing knowledge and developing methodologies that help strengthen the field. As a result, they may have fewer opportunities to see how technologies are applied in real-world investigations or to understand the practical considerations that influence how and when certain technologies are used.
I once heard effectiveness and efficiency described as similar concepts with different meanings, and that comparison has stayed with me. Academia often focuses on making sure processes are thorough, reliable, and defensible. Law enforcement often must balance those goals with the realities of limited time, resources, and active investigations. A good example is the triage of evidence, where investigators must quickly assess what information is most relevant and prioritize their efforts accordingly.
What has been encouraging to see is these two worlds coming together more often. Initiatives such as the MCI Lab are helping bridge the gap by creating collaborative spaces between educators and practitioners. Working for MSU has opened many doors for me, including becoming a Cyber Fraud Task Force member for the Mississippi Office of the Attorney General. Through that opportunity, I have been able to attend training courses such as those offered by NW3C and NCFI. MSU also partnered with OUR Rescue, which helped secure a grant that allowed me to obtain my Cellebrite certifications.
I have had the privilege of working alongside members of both communities, which has given me valuable insight into their shared goals and complementary strengths. In many ways, my position allows me to serve as a liaison between the two, helping translate the needs, challenges, and perspectives of each group in a way that is meaningful to the other.
A future opportunity I am excited to explore is continuing my education through a master’s program, and I have observed a growing number of partnerships between digital forensic training academies and institutions of higher learning, including those developed by NW3C. We are fortunate to be one of NW3C’s key partners, and I am excited to see how these collaborations continue to strengthen the field as a whole.
You create open-source tools in your free time. What inspires those projects, and are there any tools or ideas you’re particularly excited about at the moment?
Real-world experiences are my primary motivation for creating open-source tools. So far, I have created Chip ID Framework, which was inspired by a challenge I encountered while identifying a memory chip on a skimmer, and SpecTacular, which was developed because our lab was seeing increased involvement of Meta Glasses in criminal investigations involving both victims and suspects. I wanted to create tools that would not only assist with my own examinations but also benefit others in the field.
I am also motivated by a desire to provide resources where they may not otherwise exist or where available resources are limited. While researching the memory chip from the skimmer, I searched for an all-in-one solution that would allow users to identify a chip’s manufacturer and model using observable characteristics. When I was unable to find one, I decided to begin developing a solution myself, hoping it would inspire others to pursue their own projects as well.
The same was true for SpecTacular. At the time, there were no readily available parsers for the mobile application associated with the glasses. Analysis was performed manually by reviewing databases and plist files, so Frank Mazzola and I saw an opportunity to create a tool that would streamline that process.
I have several unfinished projects that I am particularly excited about. One is mapping software that ingests media such as photos and videos and plots them on a map. The software can also ingest KML files and spreadsheet formats containing fields such as longitude and latitude. Some of my favorite features include the ability to search for a location and receive summary cards displaying nearby plotted data, create custom pins with icons such as houses, vehicles, or phones, add custom notes describing the significance of a location, and save sessions for future review. The inspiration for this project came from working with drone data and overlaying maps generated from drone images alongside EXIF data extracted from media stored on SD cards.
Another project I am looking forward to is a storage solution that allows agents to access their worksheets from any workstation connected to the network. Our lab’s unique layout and standard operating procedures inspired this project. We require agency personnel who use our resources to complete a worksheet and submit it at the conclusion of their examination. I also complete these worksheets for my own examinations. Once submitted, I manually enter the information into our case management system for documentation purposes. Over time, I found myself repeatedly thinking that a digital solution would simplify the process. Handwriting can be difficult to read, and digital forms would make it easier to transfer information directly into case management. However, because examiners frequently move between workstations while using different forensic tools, implementing such a solution presents unique challenges.
My goal is to create software that allows users to create worksheets, move freely between workstations while maintaining access to their work, and submit completed worksheets to a centralized storage location. Administrative users would then be able to review and process submissions. Additional features would include final submission controls that prevent modifications after the worksheet has been entered into case management, while still allowing users to request access if additional processing becomes necessary.
What role do you think open-source tools play in making digital forensics more accessible, especially for students and early-career practitioners?
Open-source tools are not only a solution for agencies that may lack funding for commercial software, but they are also valuable resources for individuals seeking to grow their knowledge and skills in the field. The only reason I was able to create SpecTacular was because I used Alexis Brignoni’s LEAPP tools as a foundation and reference for structuring a digital forensic tool. One open-source project helped enable the creation of another.
This creates a chain of collaboration that encourages creativity and draws upon the strengths of the broader community. Open-source tools are not about limiting recognition to a single individual; rather, they provide opportunities for people to build upon each other’s work and contribute to a collective body of knowledge.
I wish there had been more opportunities to learn about digital forensics during my time in college. Free and open-source tools create tremendous opportunities for academic institutions to teach the fundamentals of digital forensics. There are acquisition tools such as UFADE, ALEX, Arsenic, Magnet Forensics Acquire, and FTK Imager. There are also parsing tools such as LEAPP/LAVA, Autopsy, and many others.
While these tools may be more limited than their commercial counterparts, they are excellent resources for teaching foundational concepts. This was a vision that my previous supervisor, Frank Mazzola, and I had in common, and he developed a course using these tools to teach law enforcement personnel throughout Mississippi as a state-certified instructor. I believe these concepts could be expanded into educational systems to encourage younger generations to explore careers that intersect with technology and law enforcement.
As a woman in digital forensics, how have you experienced the industry so far, and what changes would you like to see to better support women entering and progressing in the field?
As a young woman in the field, I have experienced a wide range of situations. One challenge that has affected my confidence at times is when people automatically assume that I am an intern or an administrative assistant. The individuals asking these questions are not trying to be offensive; they are often simply making conversation or satisfying their curiosity. However, I believe there is room for improvement in how those assumptions are made.
It can be difficult to determine whether those assumptions stem from my age, my gender, or a combination of both. Regardless, I believe we should avoid limiting or underestimating someone’s potential and instead remain open-minded to the possibility that individuals may bring more experience and expertise than first impressions suggest. Ultimately, it comes down to not judging a book by its cover.
I believe I can serve as a source of support and representation through my current role working at the intersection of technology and law enforcement. My organization has hosted events such as two Girl Scout visits, one of which included a discussion panel that I had the opportunity to participate in. Experiences like these allow me to connect with others who may be exploring careers in technology or public safety.
Outside of my role, I have also been exploring opportunities that support women throughout their careers. Through that effort, I came across Influential Women and was honored to be recognized by the organization. Participating in opportunities like this has been incredibly rewarding, and I encourage other women to explore organizations and communities that provide support, networking, and professional development opportunities. I am also a member of Women in Technology and would encourage others to explore their programs and offerings as well.
At the same time, I recognize that my perspective differs from that of women serving directly in law enforcement. While I work closely with that community, I do not experience every challenge they may face. Technology-related and law enforcement-related professions both tend to be male-dominated, which can create additional obstacles for women entering these spaces.
Our team at MCI has never exceeded five employees, including myself. While I am currently the only woman on the team, I have been fortunate not to encounter some of the workplace challenges that others may experience. In many ways, I feel like an observer looking in, but I hope that my presence and contributions can have a positive impact on those considering a similar path.
What advice would you give to someone at the beginning of their digital forensics career who is unsure whether they belong in the field?
I previously had the opportunity to mentor an intern who was interested in learning about digital forensics. One piece of advice I emphasized repeatedly was to take advantage of every opportunity available to you.
During college, I was not entirely sure what career path I wanted to pursue, although I knew I wanted to work within the broader law enforcement field. To help guide my decision, I explored as many opportunities as possible. I worked in Municipal Court, interned in Circuit Court, and completed my final internship at the digital forensics lab in my hometown. Before those experiences, I also interned in a psychology-related role focused on promoting awareness of child development and the importance of developmental skills.
I did not even know what digital forensics was until the final semester of my senior year, and now it has become both my career and my passion. If I had not explored different opportunities and remained open to new experiences, I might still be uncertain about where I belonged professionally.
I think another piece of advice I would offer is not to let digital forensics intimidate you or discourage you from exploring the field. At first glance, digital forensics can seem overwhelming and unapproachable, which may lead young professionals and law enforcement personnel to believe it is not worth trying. I have seen this firsthand with law enforcement officers who have come to our lab for assistance. We strongly encourage them to take advantage of available training opportunities and to conduct their own device examinations with our support and guidance. Once they gain hands-on experience, many realize that digital forensics is not nearly as intimidating as they originally thought. That intimidation can create yet another communication gap between analysts and law enforcement. Everyone has to start somewhere.
And finally, what do you enjoy in your spare time?
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family. Whether we are traveling to new places, participating in outdoor activities such as visiting the beach or playing pickleball, or simply enjoying a movie night together, those moments help me recharge.
One of the best mental resets for me is spending time outdoors with the people I care about. The nature of my work often requires long hours in rooms without natural sunlight, so I have to make a conscious effort to step away, get outside, and maintain balance.
I also recently opened an Etsy shop called TheForensicDept that focuses on digital forensics-themed apparel. Our lab can get quite cold, and I wanted to create apparel that was both practical and distinctive. So far, I have added t-shirts, sweatshirts, and a tote bag to the shop. More importantly, I hope to use it as an opportunity to help people express their passion for digital forensics and build a sense of community, particularly among women and young professionals entering the field.
