Editorial Policies

Focus and Scope

The Journal of Forensic Document Examination (JFDE) is an official publication of the Association of Forensic Document Examiners.  JFDE publishes articles that include the following types:

1.  Research Papers -  Original paper covering the author's scientific research of a topic related to document examination.  Research papers will be submitted to the Scientific Advisory Board and must contain an abstract and full bibliography.

2. Pilot Studies - Papers by FDE practitioners or others whose research will be of interest to FDEs.  The Scientific Advisory Board will determine if a paper is a research paper of a pilot study.

3. Case Reports - Brief reports of unusual cases.  No paper dealing with a case still in litigation will be considered.  Indicate in your introduction what was unusual about the case you are reporting and summarize your findings. Include illustrations and exhibits.

4.  Technically Speaking - Report of varying lengths on techniques, materials, processes, or instruments related to document examination.  Unless these are brief notes, papers must have an abastract and bibliography.

5. Commentaries/Book Reviews - We welcome reader's suggestions of relevant new books for review, as well as relevant topics that will be of interest to our readers.  Commentaries should include an abstract.

Preference is given to members of the Association of Forensid Document Examiners (AFDE) and the International Graphonomics Society (IGS) in the reading and acceptance of manuscripts, but original material submitted by nonmembers, who are employed as professional document examiners, or by recognized experts in related forensic fields, will also be considered.  Publication will depend upon space available and suitability for inclusion in the JFDE, as determined by the Editorial Board.  JFDE editors reserve the right to clarify and/or condense any material submitted for publication, but request that authors submit only work they believe to be in finished form and suitable for our format.  Papers selected for publication are peer reviewed with the exception of book reviews and guest papers.

Previously published materials will be considered but must be accompanies by release from all previous publishers;  such release remains the responsibility of the author.  All material appearing in the JFDE is copyrighted by AFDE.

The Editorial Board will acknowledge receipt of submissions.  

Decisions to send a paper for peer review are made by the Editor and Scientific Advisory Board.  Submission does not guarantee peer review or publication.  Authors can track the progress of their submissions through the Open Journal System.

 

Section Policies

Research Papers

These are original papers covering the author(s)' scientific research of a topic related to document examination.  Research papers will be submitted to the Scientific Advisory Board and must contain an abstract and full bibliography.

Editors
  • Patricia Fisher
Checked Open Submissions Checked Indexed Checked Peer Reviewed

Commentaries/Book Reviews

We welcome readers' suggestions of relevant new books for review, as well as relevant topics that will be of interest to our readers.  Commentaries and book reviews should include an abstract.

Editors
  • Emily Will
Checked Open Submissions Checked Indexed Unchecked Peer Reviewed

Pilot Studies

Papers by FDE practitioners or others whose research will be of interest to FDEs.  The Scientific Advisory Board will determine if a paper is a research paper or a pilot study.

Editors
  • Patricia Fisher
Checked Open Submissions Checked Indexed Checked Peer Reviewed

Case Reports

Brief reports of unusual cases.  No paper dealing with a case still in litigation will be considered.  Indicate in your introduction what was unusual about the case you are reporting and summarize your findings.  Include illustrations and Exhibits.

Editors
  • Patricia Fisher
Checked Open Submissions Checked Indexed Checked Peer Reviewed

Technically Speaking

Reporst of varying lengths on techniques, materials, processes or instruments related to document examination.  Unless these are brief notes, papers must have an abstract and bibliography.

Editors
  • Patricia Fisher
Checked Open Submissions Checked Indexed Checked Peer Reviewed
 

Peer Review Process

All articles submitted to Journal of Forensic Document Examination are subjected to an anonymous peer review by two reviewers. In this process the identities of authors and reviewers are not revealed to each other. The reviewers' recommendations are taken into consideration by the editor handling the submission in arriving at publication and revision decisions. See Section Policies in About the Journal for policies pertaining to the different sections of the journal. (IF THERE ARE ANY DIFFERENCES.....)

 

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.  The Journal of Forensic Document Examination is an official publication of The Association of Forensic Document Examiners, whos motto is, "Professionals who share knowledge increase their own skills."

 

Advisory Board

List of names of advisory board members.