Thank you for agreeing to review manuscripts for the Journal of Forensic Science & Innovation (JOFI). Your expertise, professional judgment, and constructive feedback are invaluable in maintaining the quality, scientific rigor, and integrity of our publication. Please consider the following guidelines when reviewing manuscripts:

1. Promptness: Please respond to the review invitation promptly and indicate whether you are able to complete the review within the specified timeframe. Timely responses help maintain an efficient peer-review process.

2. Confidentiality: Treat all manuscripts, supplementary materials, and review-related information as strictly confidential. Do not share, discuss, reproduce, or disclose any information from the manuscript or your review with others without permission from the editorial office.

3. Objectivity: Evaluate the manuscript objectively and constructively, focusing on its scientific quality, originality, significance, methodology, validity of findings, clarity, relevance to forensic science, and adherence to ethical standards.

4. Ethical Considerations: Consider whether the manuscript appropriately addresses ethical requirements, particularly for research involving human participants, animals, biological materials, sensitive forensic information, or potentially sensitive technologies. Report any ethical concerns to the editorial office.

5. Constructive Feedback: Provide clear, specific, and constructive comments that can help authors improve their manuscript. Highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of the work and provide practical suggestions for improvement. Avoid personal, offensive, or derogatory comments.

6. Transparency: Disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest that could affect your ability to provide an impartial review. If you believe you cannot provide an independent and unbiased assessment, please decline the review invitation and inform the editorial office.

7. Timeliness: Complete and submit your review within the specified deadline. If additional time is required, please contact the editorial office as early as possible to request an extension.

8. Recommendations: Based on your overall evaluation of the manuscript, recommend one of the following decisions:

• Accept as it is
• Minor revisions required
• Major revisions required
• Reject

9. Respectful Communication: Maintain professional, objective, and respectful communication throughout the review process. Comments should focus on the manuscript and its scientific contribution rather than the authors personally.

10. Follow-Up: After submitting your review, be prepared to provide clarification or additional comments if requested by the Editor-in-Chief or editorial office. Reviewers may also be asked to assess a revised manuscript to determine whether the authors have adequately addressed the reviewers' concerns.

Your commitment to maintaining high standards of scientific quality, ethical research, forensic innovation, and peer-review integrity is greatly appreciated. Thank you for contributing your expertise to the Journal of Forensic Science & Innovation (JOFI) and supporting the advancement of forensic science and evidence-based research.

Sincerely,

Editor-in-Chief
Journal of Forensic Science & Innovation (JOFI)