Repository Policy

The Journal of Forensic Science and Research (JFSR) supports self-archiving and repository deposition as part of its commitment to open science and global access. This Repository Policy provides authors with clear guidance on how their work may be shared in institutional, disciplinary, and public repositories without restrictions.

Author Rights for Repository Deposit

Authors publishing in JFSR retain copyright of their work and are encouraged to deposit the following versions in repositories:

  • Preprint: The version submitted to the journal, before peer review.
  • Postprint: The peer-reviewed, accepted manuscript (Author Accepted Manuscript, AAM).
  • Published Version: The final PDF version provided by JFSR after publication, with DOI and license information.

Repository Options

Authors may deposit their manuscripts in:

  • Institutional repositories: University libraries, departmental archives, and institutional knowledge banks.
  • Disciplinary repositories: Forensic and scientific archives such as OSF, Zenodo, or domain-specific repositories.
  • Public repositories: General repositories like ResearchGate, Academia.edu, and Figshare.
  • Funding agency repositories: Complying with mandates from NIH, Horizon Europe, ERC, and other funders.

Licensing Terms

All deposited versions must clearly state that the work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license, include the full citation, and link to the final published version with a DOI.

OAI-PMH Compliance

JFSR is fully compliant with the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH). This ensures metadata can be harvested by aggregators, repositories, and indexing services worldwide, maximizing the discoverability of published research.

Version Control

To maintain clarity and avoid confusion, deposited manuscripts should specify the version type (preprint, postprint, or published version) and include the DOI link of the published article when available.

Benefits of Repository Deposit

  • Visibility: Depositing manuscripts enhances global reach and readership.
  • Compliance: Supports compliance with funder and institutional mandates.
  • Preservation: Ensures long-term archiving of research outputs.
  • Collaboration: Facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration by providing easy access to research.

FAQs

Can I deposit my article before publication?

Yes. Preprints may be deposited anytime, provided disclosure is made during submission.

Do repositories require embargo periods?

No. JFSR allows immediate deposit without embargo, in line with open access principles.

What citation format should I use in repositories?

The citation must include full bibliographic details, DOI, and license information for the final version.

Commitment to Open Access

By enabling repository deposition, JFSR promotes open access, global discoverability, and compliance with funder requirements. This policy strengthens the visibility and impact of forensic science research while ensuring long-term preservation.