Editorial Policies

The Journal of Forensic Science and Research (JFSR) upholds the highest editorial standards to ensure integrity, transparency, and accountability in scholarly publishing. Our editorial policies are designed to safeguard academic independence, protect author rights, and foster confidence among readers, researchers, and the wider forensic community.

Editorial Independence

JFSR guarantees full editorial independence. Decisions regarding acceptance or rejection of manuscripts are based exclusively on scientific merit, originality, and relevance to the journal’s scope. Editorial decisions are not influenced by funding sources, institutional affiliations, or political considerations.

Peer Review Policy

The journal follows a rigorous double-blind peer review process. Manuscripts are evaluated by at least two independent reviewers with expertise in the relevant field. The identities of both authors and reviewers remain confidential. Peer review feedback is constructive, aiming to enhance clarity, scientific rigor, and contribution to forensic science.

Editorial Board Responsibilities

• Ensure fair, unbiased, and timely editorial decisions.
• Maintain confidentiality of submitted manuscripts.
• Identify and address potential conflicts of interest.
• Promote diversity in authorship and reviewing practices.
• Uphold international standards set by COPE, ICMJE, and WAME.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Data Availability and Transparency

Authors are encouraged to share supporting datasets, protocols, and supplementary material to promote transparency and reproducibility. Data availability statements must be included in submissions, and links to repositories (e.g., Zenodo, Dryad, or institutional archives) are encouraged.

Ethical Oversight

The journal requires all research involving human participants, animals, or sensitive data to include documentation of ethical approval from recognized institutional review boards. Studies must comply with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and relevant national or international standards.

Plagiarism and Research Misconduct

Manuscripts undergo plagiarism screening using reliable detection software. Submissions with significant duplication, fabrication, or falsification are rejected outright. Allegations of research misconduct are investigated following COPE flowcharts and corrective measures such as retractions, corrections, or expressions of concern are applied when necessary.

Corrections, Retractions, and Withdrawals

JFSR follows a transparent correction and retraction policy. Errata and corrigenda are issued for minor errors, while retractions are reserved for significant issues of validity, ethics, or misconduct. Authors may request manuscript withdrawal prior to final publication with editorial approval.

Open Access Commitment

All articles in JFSR are published under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. This ensures broad dissemination, allowing unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Authorship and Contribution Policy

Authorship should reflect substantial intellectual contribution to the research. JFSR follows ICMJE authorship criteria:

• Conception or design of the work; or acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data.
• Drafting or revising the work critically for intellectual content.
• Final approval of the version to be published.
• Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Appeals and Complaints

Authors may appeal editorial decisions by submitting a reasoned request to the Editor-in-Chief. Complaints regarding editorial conduct, peer review, or publication ethics are addressed transparently and in accordance with COPE guidelines.

FAQs on Editorial Policies

Are reviewer reports shared with authors?

Yes, anonymized reviewer reports are shared in full to provide constructive guidance to authors.

Can authors suggest reviewers?

Yes, authors may suggest qualified reviewers, but the editorial office reserves the right to make the final selection.

How does JFSR handle duplicate submissions?

Duplicate submissions are strictly prohibited. If detected, the manuscript will be rejected and appropriate action taken.

Future Directions

JFSR is committed to advancing editorial transparency through open peer review options, reviewer recognition programs, and integration with global editorial platforms such as Publons and ORCID to support responsible research assessment.