Publication Ethics Statement

The Journal of Forensic Science and Research (JFSR) is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing. Our Publication Ethics Statement provides clear guidance for authors, reviewers, editors, and the publisher to promote fairness, integrity, and transparency in the publication process. This statement is grounded in the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), ICMJE recommendations, and WAME best practices.

General Ethical Principles

• All parties involved in the publishing process must act responsibly and ethically.
• Integrity of the scientific record must be maintained through transparency, accuracy, and accountability.
• Errors or misconduct must be corrected promptly with errata, corrections, or retractions.
• Confidentiality must be upheld throughout submission and review processes.

Responsibilities of Authors

Authors are expected to:

• Submit only original and unpublished work.
• Acknowledge all sources appropriately to avoid plagiarism.
• Disclose all funding sources, potential conflicts of interest, and ethical approvals.
• Ensure accurate authorship attribution based on substantial contribution.
• Cooperate fully with the peer review process and respond to reviewer comments with professionalism.

Responsibilities of Editors

Editors at JFSR are tasked with ensuring editorial independence, fairness, and accountability:

• Decisions are based solely on manuscript quality and relevance.
• Conflicts of interest are disclosed and managed transparently.
• Peer review is conducted in accordance with journal policies and ethical guidelines.
• Complaints or ethical concerns are handled promptly, often with reference to COPE flowcharts.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

Reviewers must:

• Evaluate manuscripts objectively and provide constructive feedback.
• Maintain confidentiality of the peer review process.
• Identify potential plagiarism, duplication, or ethical misconduct.
• Declare conflicts of interest before accepting review invitations.

Publisher’s Responsibilities

Research Misconduct

Research misconduct—including fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and inappropriate authorship practices—undermines trust in science. Allegations are taken seriously and investigated in accordance with COPE guidelines. Proven misconduct results in rejection, correction, or retraction, depending on severity.

Corrections and Retractions

JFSR corrects errors and retracts papers when necessary to protect the accuracy of the academic record. Retraction notices are clearly labeled and linked to the retracted article.

Data Integrity and Sharing

Authors must provide accurate data and, where possible, deposit datasets in accessible repositories. Transparency in research data enhances reproducibility and accountability.

Conflict of Interest

All parties (authors, reviewers, editors) must disclose conflicts of interest that could bias judgment. Disclosure statements are published with articles to ensure transparency.

FAQs

What if misconduct is detected after publication?

Depending on severity, the journal may issue corrections, expressions of concern, or retract the article.

Can authors appeal editorial decisions?

Yes. Authors may appeal with detailed reasoning. Appeals are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or independent experts.

How does JFSR prevent plagiarism?

All manuscripts are checked using plagiarism detection tools before peer review. High similarity manuscripts are rejected or returned to authors for correction.

Commitment to Ethical Publishing

JFSR reaffirms its commitment to fostering an ethical and trustworthy publishing environment. By adhering to COPE, ICMJE, and WAME standards, the journal ensures that all stakeholders contribute to the credibility and advancement of forensic science.