Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Journal of Forensic Science and Research (JFSR) is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and preventing malpractice. This statement is based on the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines, the ICMJE Recommendations, and other internationally recognized standards. All parties involved in publishing—authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher—are expected to commit to ethical behavior and integrity.

Responsibilities of Authors

  • Ensure originality of submitted manuscripts and avoid plagiarism, duplication, or redundant publication.
  • Provide accurate and complete data, with sufficient detail for replication.
  • Acknowledge all sources of funding, institutional support, and significant contributions.
  • Disclose any conflicts of interest that may bias research or interpretation.
  • Comply with ethical guidelines for research involving humans, animals, and sensitive materials, including providing documentation of IRB or ethics committee approval.

Responsibilities of Editors

  • Make fair and impartial editorial decisions based solely on scholarly merit and relevance.
  • Maintain confidentiality of all manuscripts and reviewer identities.
  • Disclose conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where conflicts exist.
  • Ensure timely communication and transparent processes for authors and reviewers.
  • Take action to correct, retract, or issue expressions of concern in cases of ethical breaches.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

  • Provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback to improve manuscript quality.
  • Respect confidentiality of manuscripts and avoid sharing content without permission.
  • Identify potential ethical issues such as plagiarism, data fabrication, or conflicts of interest.
  • Decline review assignments outside their expertise or where conflicts of interest exist.

Publisher’s Responsibilities

The publisher of JFSR safeguards editorial independence and ensures that all content is free from commercial, institutional, or political influence. The publisher provides technical support for ethical publication practices, including plagiarism detection, DOI assignment, and archiving.

Research Integrity and Misconduct

Research misconduct—including plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification, image manipulation, and improper authorship practices—will not be tolerated. Allegations are investigated in line with COPE flowcharts, and corrective measures (e.g., corrections, retractions, or bans on future submissions) are implemented as appropriate.

Plagiarism Policy

All manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software. Manuscripts exceeding acceptable similarity thresholds are rejected prior to peer review. Authors may be asked to provide explanations for flagged content or resubmit revised work.

Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern

JFSR is committed to correcting the scientific record when errors, ethical violations, or misconduct are identified. Minor errors are corrected with errata, while serious issues may require retractions or expressions of concern. All corrections follow COPE and ICMJE best practices.

Confidentiality

All parties involved in the publishing process are required to maintain confidentiality regarding submitted manuscripts, reviewer identities, and editorial discussions. Data and information are not shared beyond what is necessary for peer review and publication.

Conflict of Interest

Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose all potential conflicts of interest, including financial, institutional, or personal relationships that could bias judgment. Disclosures are published alongside articles where relevant.

Appeals and Complaints

Authors may appeal editorial decisions with a reasoned explanation. Complaints regarding ethical misconduct, editorial conduct, or peer review are handled transparently and in accordance with COPE procedures.

FAQs

What happens if plagiarism is detected?

Manuscripts with significant plagiarism are rejected. If detected post-publication, the article may be retracted, and notices issued.

Who investigates ethical breaches?

Investigations are conducted by the editorial office, in collaboration with the publisher and guided by COPE recommendations.

What is the role of COPE in malpractice handling?

COPE provides flowcharts and frameworks for addressing ethical issues consistently and transparently.

Commitment to Best Practices

By enforcing this Ethics and Malpractice Statement, JFSR ensures that published research maintains integrity, contributes to forensic science responsibly, and supports the credibility of the scientific record. All stakeholders are expected to uphold these principles as a condition of engagement with the journal.