Aims and Scope

The Journal of Forensic Science and Research (JFSR) aims to publish cutting-edge research and authoritative reviews that advance knowledge, innovation, and practice across the diverse domains of forensic science. Our scope spans traditional and emerging areas of forensic inquiry, providing a comprehensive platform for scholarly communication, professional advancement, and societal impact. JFSR actively welcomes contributions that integrate science, technology, and law to support justice, safety, and human rights worldwide.

Aims of the Journal

  • Advance Forensic Science: To disseminate high-quality research that contributes to scientific rigor, innovation, and evidence-based practice in forensic disciplines.
  • Bridge Science and Justice: To foster collaboration between researchers, practitioners, law enforcement agencies, and the legal community in the application of forensic knowledge.
  • Promote Open Access: To ensure equitable global access to forensic research under open licensing, enhancing the visibility and impact of scholarly work.
  • Support Education and Training: To serve as an educational resource for students, academics, and professionals through accessible content and case-based discussions.
  • Encourage Interdisciplinary Research: To highlight the intersections between forensic science and fields such as medicine, data science, public health, engineering, and psychology.

Scope of the Journal

JFSR’s scope encompasses the full breadth of forensic sciences, welcoming original research, reviews, case reports, methodological advancements, policy discussions, and technical notes in the following areas:

  • Forensic pathology, clinical forensic medicine, and medicolegal investigations
  • Forensic toxicology, chemistry, and controlled substance analysis
  • DNA profiling, genetic forensics, and next-generation sequencing
  • Forensic anthropology, human identification, and odontology
  • Digital forensics, cybersecurity, and e-discovery
  • Forensic psychology, psychiatry, and behavioral sciences
  • Crime scene investigation, reconstruction, and evidence analysis
  • Forensic engineering, accident reconstruction, and material forensics
  • Environmental forensics and forensic geoscience
  • Legal medicine, jurisprudence, and ethics in forensic practice

Special Thematic Areas

In addition to its core scope, JFSR dedicates space to thematic issues that address contemporary challenges such as:

  • Application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in forensic investigation
  • Forensic implications of emerging technologies such as blockchain and IoT
  • Public health forensics and global health crises (e.g., pandemics, disasters)
  • Cross-border forensic collaboration and international criminal justice
  • Ethical, privacy, and human rights considerations in forensic data use

Target Audience

The journal is designed for forensic scientists, academicians, medical examiners, law enforcement agencies, attorneys, judges, policymakers, and interdisciplinary professionals whose work intersects with forensic applications. Graduate and postgraduate students pursuing careers in forensic science are also an integral part of our readership.

Article Types Accepted

  • Original Research Articles presenting novel scientific findings.
  • Review Articles summarizing current knowledge and trends.
  • Case Reports illustrating unique or challenging forensic cases.
  • Technical Notes describing new methodologies, tools, or practices.
  • Policy Papers exploring legal, ethical, and societal dimensions of forensic practice.
  • Commentaries and Editorials providing expert perspectives on emerging debates.

Global Relevance

Forensic science is a global discipline, and JFSR reflects this by publishing work relevant to diverse contexts, including high-resource and resource-limited settings. We emphasize inclusivity by welcoming contributions from researchers across all regions, thereby ensuring that global perspectives shape the evolution of forensic practices.

Examples of Topics Recently Highlighted

  • Advances in forensic DNA sequencing technologies
  • Challenges of digital evidence in international cybercrime cases
  • Innovations in toxicology for detecting novel psychoactive substances
  • Applications of forensic anthropology in humanitarian crises
  • Forensic approaches to climate-related disasters and environmental law

FAQs about Aims and Scope

Does the journal consider interdisciplinary submissions?

Yes. We actively encourage interdisciplinary submissions that connect forensic sciences with other fields, provided they are relevant to justice and legal systems.

Are region-specific forensic studies accepted?

Yes. We welcome studies focusing on local or regional forensic challenges as they enrich the global body of forensic knowledge.

How broad is the scope for digital forensics?

The scope includes all aspects of digital evidence, from mobile devices and social media to emerging technologies like cloud computing, IoT, and blockchain applications in law enforcement.

Future Scope

Looking ahead, JFSR aims to expand its focus on integrating forensic science with data-driven and AI-based tools, strengthening cross-border collaborations, and addressing the growing demand for transparency and reproducibility in forensic research.