Submissions

Author Guidelines

Description of the Journal

The Journal of Forensic Document Examination (JFDE) is the official publication of the Association of Forensic Document Examiners (AFDE).  It is an annual double-blind, peer-reviewed journal that publishes research papers, case studies, technical articles and book reviews pertinent to the field of document examination.  Papers written world-wide (in English) are accepted. AFDE is not responsible as a body, nor are the editors of the JFDE individually or as a group, for the statements and opinions advanced in this publication.  

 JFDE Authors

Members of the Association of Forensic Document Examiners (AFDE) and the International Graphonomics Society (IGS) typically submit manuscripts to the JFDE (ISSN 0895-0849). Also, original material submitted by nonmembers, who are employed as professional document examiners, or by experts in related forensic fields, will also be considered. Papers written world-wide (in English) are accepted. 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 accompanied 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 Editor 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.

Types of Papers Accepted

1. Research Papers - Original papers covering the author's scientific research of a topic related to document examination.  Research papers much contain an abstract and full bibliography.

2.  Pilot Studies - Papers by FDE practitioners or others whose research will be on interest to FDEs.  The Scientific Advisory Board will determine if a paper is a research paper or 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 and summmarize your findings.  Include illustrations and exhibits.

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

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

Peer Review 

All articles submitted are peer reviewed using the online Open Journal System process.  Peer reviews are double blinded with neither the author or the reviewers knowing the identity of others.  The JFDE Editor communicates with everyone and works to ensure that each article has the maximum potential to be published and that each article will reflect well on the author and the Journal.

Sections of a Paper and Formatting 

With rare exceptions each submission should contain:

1.  Title

2.  Keywords 

3.  Abstract

4.  Illustrations/figures/tables in either TIF or PNG format.

5.  Font should be 12 pt. Times New Roman, single spaced

6.  References should use the Vancouver (numeric) citation style.

 Interested in submitting to this journal?

We recommend that you review the About the Journal page for the journal's section policies, as well as the Author Guidelines. Authors need to register with the journal prior to submitting or, if already registered, can simply log in and begin the five-step process.

Disclaimer

Facts and opinions published in Journal of Forensic Document Examination (JFDE) express solely the opinions of the respective authors. Authors are responsible for their citing of sources and the accuracy of their references and bibliographies. The editor cannot be held responsible for any lack or possible violation of third parties’ rights. The Journal and editor specifically disclaim any liability of violations of other parties’ rights, or any damage incurred as a consequence of the use or application of any of the contents. Material submitted to Journal must be original and not published or submitted for publication elsewhere. Author is responsible to get permission from previous publisher or copyright holder if an author is re-using any part of paper (i.e. figure or figures) published elsewhere, or that is copyrighted. The editor consider all such material in good faith that their journals have given full permission to publish every part of the submitted material including illustrations.