Magnet Forensics honors 2026 Agency Impact and Scholarship Award recipients
Awards announced at Magnet User Summit 2026 recognize agency leadership, prosecutorial excellence, and the next generation of digital investigators
NASHVILLE, TN — April 21, 2026 — Magnet Forensics, a global leader in investigative intelligence solutions, announced today the recipients of its 2026 Agency Impact Awards and Scholarship Awards during the opening keynote of Magnet User Summit 2026, in Nashville, TN. The awards recognize agencies, officers, examiners, prosecutors, and emerging professionals who are advancing justice through innovation, leadership, and dedication to protecting the innocent.
This year, Magnet Forensics also introduced two new honors — the International Agency Impact Award and the Caitlyn Kaufman Award — underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to recognizing global and prosecutorial excellence.
“We are inspired every day by the dedication of professionals across the digital forensics community and it’s an honor to recognize their work and support their continued efforts,” said David Miles, President, Magnet Forensics. “From local and international law enforcement agencies to prosecutors and the next generation of investigators, this year’s recipients exemplify a commitment to justice, innovation, and public safety.”
2026 Magnet Forensics Agency Impact Award
Rochester Police Department is the recipient of the 2026 Magnet Forensics Agency Impact Award. The award recognizes law enforcement agencies that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to protecting their communities, advancing digital forensic capabilities, and deploying innovative solutions to deliver justice.
Rochester Police Department was honored for its dedication to investigative excellence in service of the community, extending its impact beyond its jurisdiction by supporting state, county, and regional agencies with forensic expertise, evidence processing, and training.
“We are honored to receive the 2026 Agency Impact Award,” said Jim Franklin, Chief of Police, Rochester Police Department. “It recognizes the care we put into protecting our community, and the critical role partnerships play in every aspect of fighting crime. We rely on collaboration to ensure our lab is equipped to address modern challenges, and we are proud to support our neighboring agencies.”
As part of the award, Magnet Forensics will provide the Rochester Police Department with one year of free, unlimited training, team-building activities, and a charitable donation on the agency’s behalf.
New for 2026: International Agency Impact Award
New this year, Magnet Forensics introduced the International Agency Impact Award to recognize outstanding contributions to digital investigations by agencies outside North America. The inaugural award was presented to South Wales Police in recognition of the agency’s leadership in modern investigative practices. By adopting SaaS-based solutions, the agency enabled faster arrests in major cases, reduced delays in evidence sharing, and improved outcomes for the public.
“Winning this award is a significant recognition for South Wales Police and a credit to the people behind our digital investigation work, who are committed to innovation, improving investigative outcomes, and uncovering the truth with confidence, even in the most complex cases,” said Scot Anderson-Tyso, Detective Chief Inspector, South Wales Police.
2026 Magnet Forensics Scholarship Program recipients
Now in its ninth year, the Magnet Forensics Scholarship Program continues to support the next generation of digital investigators through education and professional development.
This year’s recipients represent a wide range of backgrounds and experience — from professionals new to the field to seasoned investigators seeking to expand their expertise. Recipients were selected from across the globe based on their dedication to public safety, passion for digital investigations, and commitment to professional growth.
New to Digital Forensics
- Peyton Marrone — Digital Forensic Practitioner, Denver District Attorney’s Office and master’s candidate in Cybersecurity at Johns Hopkins University (U.S.)
- Lewis Richardson — Digital Forensic Practitioner, Derbyshire Constabulary (U.K.)
- Alice Bull — Digital Quality and Research Officer, West Midlands Police (U.K.)
- Valentin Hirsch — Government Administrative Trainee, Austrian Criminal Intelligence Service (Austria)
- Kate Armstrong — Senior Constable, Tasmania Police (Australia)
Advanced in Digital Forensics
- Emiline Stewart — Digital Forensic Examiner, U.S. Attorneys Office & FBI (U.S.)
The Caitlyn Kaufman Award
The Caitlyn Kaufman Award honors a prosecutor who transforms digital evidence into meaningful outcomes for victims and communities, while setting a high standard for integrity, compassion, and excellence in the pursuit of justice.
The inaugural Caitlyn Kaufman Award was presented to Sarah Davis, Assistant District Attorney General, 16th Judicial District, Rutherford and Cannon counties, for her outstanding leadership in violent crime investigations and unwavering commitment to victim advocacy.
The award is named in honor of a Nashville citizen who was the victim of a violent crime. Her legacy and spirit of service in the nursing profession continue to inspire her community.
A commitment to justice
Through initiatives such as the Agency Impact Awards and the Magnet Forensics Scholarship Program, Magnet Forensics reaffirms its commitment to supporting those who work tirelessly to seek justice and strengthen public safety efforts worldwide.
Application details for the 2027 Agency Impact and Scholarship Awards will be shared later this year.
To learn more about Magnet Forensics’ awards and scholarship programs, visit www.magnetforensics.com.
About Magnet Forensics
Founded in 2010, Magnet Forensics is a developer of digital investigation solutions that acquire, analyze, report on, and manage evidence from digital sources, including mobile devices, computers, IoT devices and cloud services. Magnet Forensics products are used by more than 6,000 public and private sector customers in over 100 countries and help investigators fight crime, protect assets, and guard national security. Learn more at www.magnetforensics.com.