Editor Guidelines
Standards for editorial excellence in forensic science.
Editorial Board Responsibilities
JAFS editors ensure published research meets rigorous scientific standards and advances forensic investigation. These guidelines support consistent, fair, and timely manuscript evaluation.
Manuscript Evaluation
Assess submissions within specialty for scope fit, scientific rigor, and forensic applicability. Identify appropriate expert reviewers.
Reviewer Selection
Recruit qualified reviewers with relevant expertise. Ensure diverse perspectives and avoid conflicts of interest.
Decision Making
Evaluate reviewer feedback and render fair decisions based on scientific merit. Provide constructive guidance.
Timeline Management
Meet target timelines for reviewer invitations and editorial decisions. Communicate delays promptly.
- Confidentiality: Maintain submission confidentiality throughout review process
- Impartiality: Evaluate manuscripts objectively regardless of author identity or institution
- Conflicts: Recuse from handling submissions with potential conflicts of interest
- Integrity: Report suspected misconduct to Editor-in-Chief following COPE guidelines
Decision Categories: Accept, Minor Revision, Major Revision, Reject. Provide clear rationale and constructive feedback supporting author improvement.
Questions about editorial procedures? Contact the Editor-in-Chief at [email protected].
