Journal of Advanced Forensic Sciences

Journal of Advanced Forensic Sciences

Journal of Advanced Forensic Sciences – About

Open Access & Peer-Reviewed

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About the Journal of Advanced Forensic Sciences

Advancing scientific rigor in forensic analysis through peer-reviewed research on analytical methods, trace evidence characterization, and forensic validation protocols.

Mission-Driven Forensic Science Research

The Journal of Advanced Forensic Sciences (JAFS) (ISSN 2692-5915) is an open access, peer-reviewed publication dedicated to advancing the scientific foundation of forensic analysis. We publish original research and comprehensive reviews that explore analytical methodologies, trace evidence characterization, forensic chemistry, and rigorous validation protocols essential to modern forensic practice.

JAFS serves as a bridge between laboratory innovation and operational forensic science, providing researchers, forensic scientists, and analytical chemists with evidence-based findings that strengthen the reliability and precision of forensic investigations. Our editorial commitment prioritizes scientific rigor, methodological transparency, and reproducibility — ensuring that published research meets the highest standards of forensic validation.

As a COPE-aligned journal published by Open Access Pub, JAFS maintains strict ethical oversight, plagiarism screening, and expert peer review to uphold the integrity of forensic science scholarship. Our community spans criminalistics laboratories, academic research centers, governmental agencies, and private forensic consultancies across more than 70 countries.

15 Days Average First Decision Time
35 Days Submission to Acceptance
48 Hours Acceptance to Publication
100% Open Access Visibility
Why Publish in JAFS?

Forensic science demands precision, reproducibility, and methodological transparency. JAFS provides a publication platform specifically designed for researchers who develop and validate analytical techniques that underpin forensic investigations. Whether you investigate trace evidence characterization, develop novel detection methods, or validate existing forensic protocols, JAFS offers rapid peer review and global dissemination through open access publishing.

Our editorial board comprises forensic chemists, analytical scientists, trace evidence specialists, and quality assurance professionals who evaluate manuscripts for scientific rigor, methodological soundness, and practical applicability. Every submission undergoes plagiarism screening, methodological review, and ethical compliance verification before entering the peer review process.

Scientific Focus: JAFS publishes research that advances analytical methods and forensic validation protocols. We prioritize manuscripts that demonstrate methodological innovation, rigorous validation, and reproducible findings applicable to forensic laboratory operations.
Research Scope & Topic Areas

JAFS welcomes original research articles, comprehensive reviews, method validation studies, and short communications that advance the scientific basis of forensic analysis. Our scope encompasses analytical techniques applicable to physical evidence examination, trace material characterization, and forensic chemistry.

Trace Evidence Analysis

Microscopic examination, fiber analysis, glass characterization, paint comparisons, soil analysis, and gunshot residue detection methodologies.

Forensic Chemistry

Drug analysis, toxicology methods, fire debris examination, explosive residue detection, chemical identification, and spectroscopic techniques.

Method Validation

Accuracy studies, precision testing, sensitivity assessments, specificity evaluations, quality control protocols, and interlaboratory comparisons.

Analytical Instrumentation

Chromatographic techniques (GC, HPLC), mass spectrometry applications, spectroscopic methods (IR, Raman, XRF), microscopy innovations.

Forensic Biology Methods

DNA extraction protocols, molecular analysis techniques, body fluid identification, biological evidence characterization.

Digital & Multimedia Forensics

Digital evidence acquisition, data recovery methods, image analysis techniques, audio forensics, metadata examination.

Impression Evidence

Fingerprint analysis methods, footwear pattern examination, tire track analysis, toolmark identification protocols.

Quality Assurance

Laboratory accreditation standards, proficiency testing, measurement uncertainty, standard operating procedures, error rate studies.

Scope Boundaries: JAFS focuses on scientific methods and analytical techniques. Manuscripts centered on legal opinions, case interpretations, expert testimony guidelines, or courtroom procedures fall outside our scope. Clinical forensics (forensic psychiatry, forensic medicine focused on clinical practice) should be directed to appropriate medical journals. Our emphasis is on laboratory science, analytical validation, and method development.
Publication Advantages
  • Rigorous Peer Review: Expert evaluation by forensic scientists and analytical chemists ensures methodological soundness and scientific validity.
  • Rapid Publication: Streamlined editorial workflows deliver first decisions within 15 days and publish accepted manuscripts within 48 hours.
  • Open Access Visibility: CC BY 4.0 licensing ensures unrestricted access for forensic laboratories, researchers, and practitioners worldwide.
  • Quality Standards: Plagiarism screening, ethical compliance verification, and adherence to COPE guidelines protect research integrity.
  • Indexing & Discoverability: Articles are indexed in forensic science databases, Google Scholar, and subject-specific repositories.
  • No Geographic Barriers: Authors from all countries receive equitable editorial treatment, with fee waivers available for researchers from low-income nations.
Submission Guidelines

JAFS invites high-quality manuscripts that advance forensic analytical methods. All submissions undergo plagiarism screening and expert peer review to ensure scientific rigor. Authors should prepare manuscripts according to our Instructions for Authors, following APA style formatting and ICMJE ethical guidelines.

Submission Process:
  1. Review the Aims & Scope to confirm topic alignment with JAFS focus areas.
  2. Prepare your manuscript following APA formatting, including structured abstract, keywords, methodology, results, and discussion sections.
  3. Include an ethics compliance statement documenting approvals, informed consent, and adherence to relevant research standards.
  4. Submit via our electronic submission portal or email to [email protected].
  5. Respond promptly to reviewer feedback with a point-by-point rebuttal letter addressing all methodological concerns.
  6. Upon acceptance, collaborate with production editors for final proofing and metadata verification before publication.
Manuscript Types: JAFS publishes original research articles, comprehensive review articles, method validation studies, short technical reports, and letters to the editor. Case studies must focus on methodological aspects rather than investigative narratives. All submissions must be original, unpublished work not under consideration elsewhere.
Editorial Governance

The JAFS Editorial Board comprises internationally recognized forensic scientists, analytical chemists, and quality assurance specialists. Board members guide topic selection, evaluate manuscript quality, and ensure adherence to the highest scientific and ethical standards. Our editorial policies align with COPE guidelines, emphasizing transparency, fairness, and scientific integrity throughout the publication process.

Editorial Leadership

Editor-in-Chief & Associate Editors

Our editorial leadership team brings diverse expertise spanning trace evidence analysis, forensic chemistry, digital forensics, and quality assurance. Editors work collaboratively to maintain rigorous peer review standards while ensuring efficient manuscript processing. Each submission receives tailored editorial guidance that strengthens methodological clarity and enhances the scientific contribution to forensic practice.

Visit our Editorial Board page to review the full list of board members and their areas of expertise.

Open Access & Publishing Ethics

JAFS operates under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license, allowing readers to freely access, download, share, and build upon published research with appropriate attribution. Authors retain copyright to their work, facilitating widespread dissemination and unrestricted use in educational, research, and professional contexts.

Article Processing Charges (APCs) support peer review operations, editorial management, plagiarism screening, copyediting, and publication infrastructure. Fee waivers and discounts are available for authors from low- and middle-income countries, early-career researchers, and unfunded studies. Contact our editorial office to discuss eligibility.

Ethical Standards: JAFS adheres to strict editorial policies governing informed consent, research ethics approvals, conflicts of interest disclosure, and transparent reporting. We follow COPE guidelines for handling allegations of misconduct, including plagiarism, data fabrication, and duplicate publication. Retractions or corrections are issued promptly when scientific integrity is compromised.
Indexing & Global Reach

JAFS articles are discoverable through multiple indexing services, academic databases, and library catalogs to maximize visibility among forensic scientists, researchers, and practitioners worldwide. Our commitment to open access ensures that findings reach diverse audiences including governmental laboratories, private forensic consultancies, academic institutions, and quality assurance organizations.

  • Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, and other academic search engines
  • Forensic science-specific databases and repositories
  • University library discovery systems and institutional catalogs
  • Crossref DOI registration for permanent citation linking
  • Social media dissemination through ResearchGate, Academia.edu, and professional networks

Advance Forensic Science Through Rigorous Research

Publish your forensic analytical methods, validation studies, and method development research with a journal committed to scientific excellence and global accessibility. Join our community of forensic scientists advancing the reliability and precision of forensic analysis worldwide.

Contact JAFS: For inquiries regarding manuscript suitability, editorial policies, peer review processes, or article processing charges, contact the editorial office at [email protected]. Our team provides responsive support to authors throughout the submission and publication process.