Peer Review Process:

Journal of Police Medicine operates double-blind peer review (both the reviewer and the author are anonymous to each other) which requires authors to submit an anonymous version of their manuscript, with a separate cover page, as two files.  

Peer review helps editors select suitable manuscripts, however, the editor makes the final decision regarding all the content. Decisions may be made by issues unrelated to the quality of a manuscript, such as suitability for the journal. The editor can reject any article at any time before publication, including after acceptance if concerns arise about the integrity of the work.

Manuscripts selected for peer review will be refereed by three reviewers during four weeks according to specific research reporting guidelines for different study designs; including CONSORT for randomized trials, STROBE for observational studies, PRISMA for systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and STARD for studies of diagnostic accuracy. Authors better send their revised manuscripts within 2 weeks and if the revised version is not uploaded within 2 months, the submission will be archived. Authors are requested to upload the revised copy of the manuscript showing the changes, deletions, and/or additions. Along with the revised copy, responses to the editor's and reviewers' comments are also requested.

- Reviewers' and authors' identities are kept confidential.

- The existence of a submitted manuscript is not revealed to anyone other than the reviewers and editorial staff.

- Reviewers are required to keep manuscripts and their information confidential.

- They must not use knowledge of the manuscript before its publication for their personal interests.

- The reviewers' comments should be constructive, honest, and polite.

- Reviewers should declare their conflicts of interest and decline review if a conflict exists. Knowing the author(s) must not affect their comments and decision.