International Journal of Forensic, Legal, and Health Sciences

Article Type Specification

The International Journal of Forensic, Legal, and Health Sciences accepts a wide variety of article types to suit different kinds of research and academic contributions. 

1. Original Research Articles are intended for studies that present new findings, experiments, or technological developments in medical imaging. These manuscripts should be between 2,000 and 4,500 words (excluding abstract and references) and must include a structured abstract of 250–300 words with headings such as Background, Objectives, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. The main text should follow the standard IMRaD format (Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion). Authors can include 10–50 references. 8 tables and 6 figures in the manuscript. 
2. Review Articles (Narrative and Mini review) provide a detailed and critical overview of existing research on a specific topic in medical imaging. These articles should be 1200–5,000 words long and include an abstract of around 250- 300 words, which can be structured or unstructured. The format is flexible but should clearly present current knowledge, critical analysis, and future directions. A total of 15–70 references is expected, along with up to 8 tables and 8 figures.
3. Systematic Reviews and meta-analyses involve a structured and methodical approach to collecting and analysing all relevant studies on a specific research question. These papers should be 2500–7,000 words in length and must include a structured abstract of about 250- 300 words. Authors must follow PRISMA guidelines for reporting. These articles typically include 25–100 references and up to 10 tables and figures, including a PRISMA flow diagram.
4. Case Reports describe unique, rare, or educational cases that provide valuable clinical insights. These should be between 1,000 and 2,500 words, with an unstructured abstract of 150–200 words. The manuscript should include sections such as Introduction, Case Presentation, Discussion, and Conclusion. Written patient consent for publication is mandatory and must be clearly mentioned. Authors can include 8–20 references and up to 5 tables or figures.
5. Case Series present multiple related cases to highlight patterns, new techniques, or emerging findings. These manuscripts should be 1,500–3,500 words long and include a structured abstract of 200–250 words. The typical structure includes Introduction, Case Descriptions, Discussion or Comparative Analysis, and Conclusion. Authors should include 15–30 references and up to 8 tables or figures.
6. Technical Notes/Short Communications are short articles that focus on new techniques, protocol improvements, or preliminary findings. These should be concise, with a word limit of 600–1,500 words. An abstract is optional but, if included, should not exceed 150 words. The structure generally includes an Introduction, a description of the technique or method, and a brief discussion of its applications. Authors can include 10–15 references and up to 2 tables or figures.
7. Editorial: Expert opinions or perspectives,

Authorship Criteria

International Journal of Forensic, Legal, and Health Sciences follows the authorship guidelines recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) to ensure that credit is given fairly and responsibly. Authorship is granted only to those who have made meaningful contributions to both the research and the manuscript, and who are willing to take responsibility for the work. All authors must be actively involved in the study and must approve the final version before publication. The corresponding author ensures that all contributors meet these requirements and that the author list is accurate. According to ICMJE, authorship should be based on all of the following criteria:

• Significant contribution to the conception or design of the study, or to the collection, analysis, or interpretation of data
• Involvement in drafting the manuscript or critically reviewing it for important intellectual content
• Final approval of the version to be published
• Agreement to take full responsibility for all aspects of the work, ensuring that any issues related to accuracy or integrity are properly addressed

Formal Appeals Procedure

Authors can request an appeal if they believe a decision on their manuscript was not fair or accurate. Appeals are considered only in specific situations, such as when there is a clear error in the review, a misunderstanding of the study methods or results, or a problem in the review process itself. To submit an appeal, authors must send a written request to the Editorial Office clearly explaining the reason for the appeal. The request should include strong supporting evidence and directly respond to the points mentioned in the decision letter. Appeals must be submitted within 14 days of receiving the decision. Once received, the appeal is reviewed independently by a senior editorial team, and a decision is usually made within 1–2 weeks. The final decision is made by the Editor-in-Chief and is considered final. For appeals, contact: info@ijflhsjournal.com

Publication Ethics and Originality Policy

The International Journal of Forensic, Legal, and Health Sciences is committed to publishing original and ethically conducted research. All manuscripts are screened for originality before peer review, and authors are expected to submit their own work with proper citation of all sources. Manuscripts found to contain unethical or unoriginal content may be rejected or withdrawn if identified after publication. Concerns related to publication ethics may be reported confidentially to the Editor-in-Chief at  info@ijflhsjournal.com, and all cases will be handled fairly and confidentially.

Conflict of Interest

To uphold the integrity and impartiality of the peer review process, the journal has established specialised conflict-of-interest protocols for submissions involving members of the journal's editorial personnel. If a manuscript is submitted by a member of the Editorial Board, the review process will be managed directly by the Editor-in-Chief, who will exercise full editorial discretion. In the case of a submission authored by the Editor-in-Chief, the process is handled independently by a designated Associate Editor, under the oversight of a senior editorial figure. Furthermore, should any potential conflict arise between an author and an assigned reviewer (e.g., prior collaboration or a direct personal relationship), the editorial office will exercise its discretion to replace and reassign the reviewer to prevent any bias. These measures ensure that every manuscript receives an objective and fair evaluation.

Formal Appeals Procedure

Authors may formally appeal an editorial decision under specific, substantiated circumstances. Valid grounds for an appeal include: a perceived substantive error in the manuscript evaluation; a demonstrable misunderstanding of the research methodology or findings; or evidence of a procedural irregularity within the review process. To initiate an appeal, a formal written request must be submitted to the Editorial Office. This submission must meticulously outline the grounds for appeal, supported by clear evidence, and directly address the specific reasons stated in the original decision letter. Appeals must be lodged within 14 days of the initial decision notification. The resolution process targets a timeframe of 1-2 weeks, during which the appeal undergoes an independent evaluation by a senior editorial committee. The final, binding determination is rendered by the Editor-in-Chief: info@ijflhsjournal.com 

Data Sharing and Availability

A Data Availability Statement is required for every manuscript submitted to IJFLHS. This statement must clearly explain how other researchers can access the data from your study. You may state that your data is publicly available in an online repository (please include the link or accession number), that it is included in the supplementary files of your submission, that it is available from you upon a reasonable request, or that it cannot be shared due to specific ethical, legal, or commercial restrictions (which you must justify).

ast Updated on: 19/02/2026