SubMission of Manuscripts
Welcome to the Authors
The JOURNAL OF FORENSIC MEDICINE AND TOXICOLOGY EXPERTS (JFMTE) welcomes the submission of high-quality, original, and ethically conducted scholarly work in the fields of Forensic Medicine, Toxicology, Clinical Forensic Medicine, Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Pathology, Medico-Legal Sciences, and allied forensic disciplines.
JFMTE is committed to publishing scientifically rigorous, evidence-based, and clinically relevant research that contributes to academic advancement, medico-legal practice, forensic investigation, and public health jurisprudence. All submitted manuscripts are evaluated through a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure scientific integrity, originality, and relevance. The journal accepts submissions from academicians, clinicians, forensic experts, toxicologists, researchers, legal medicine professionals, and postgraduate scholars.
At present, manuscripts are accepted through email submission only.
Types of Manuscripts Accepted
JFMTE accepts the following categories of manuscripts:
| Article Type | Word Limit |
|---|---|
| Original Research Articles | 3000–5000 words |
| Review Articles | 4000–6000 words |
| Case Reports / Case Series | 1500–2500 words |
| Short Communications | 1000–2000 words |
| Letters to the Editor | ≤1000 words |
| Editorials | By invitation only |
Note: Word limits exclude abstract, references, tables, and figures.
Before You Submit: Author Checklist
Before submitting your manuscript, please ensure the following:
- The manuscript falls within the journal’s scope.
- The work is original and not submitted elsewhere.
- All authors meet ICMJE authorship criteria
- Ethical approval has been obtained (if applicable).
- Patient consent has been obtained where required.
- Similarity index is preferably below 15%.
- References are formatted in Vancouver style.
- Manuscript formatting complies with journal guidelines.
- All required supporting documents are attached.
- The manuscript file does not contain author identifiers for double-blind review.
Failure to comply with submission requirements may result in delays or rejection.
Manuscript Preparation Guidelines
General Formatting Requirements
Authors must prepare manuscripts according to the following specifications:
- Language: English (UK or US spelling acceptable; consistency required throughout manuscript)
- Font: Times New Roman
- Font Size: 12 points
- Line Spacing: Single-spaced
- Margins: 1 inch on all sides
- Page Numbering: Bottom middle.
- File Format: Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx only)
Manuscripts not adhering to formatting requirements may be returned for correction before review.
Structure of Manuscript
1. Title Page (Separate File)
The title page must be submitted separately and include:
- Full title of manuscript (concise and informative)
- Full names of all authors
- Institutional affiliations of all authors
- Corresponding author details:
- Full address
- Email address
- Mobile number
- ORCID ID (recommended)
- Running title (short title)
The sample Word file ( Word file Link) is attached herewith. You can download, fill, get it signed and send it back in PDF format
Important:
To maintain double-blind peer review, author information must appear only on the separate title page and not within the manuscript file.
2. Abstract and Keywords
Original Research Articles
- Background
- Methods
- Results
- Conclusion
Keywords
Provide 3–6 keywords, preferably using MeSH terminology where applicable.
3. Main Manuscript Structure
Original Research Articles
- Introduction
- Materials and Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
Review Articles
- Introduction
- Methods (if applicable)
- Background Concepts
- Core/Thematic Review Sections
- Critical Analysis
- Discussion
- Conclusion
Case Reports / Case Series
- Introduction
- Case Description
- Discussion
- Conclusion
Tables, Figures, and Images
Authors should ensure:
- Tables and figures are numbered consecutively using Arabic numerals
- Appropriate titles and legends are provided
- Images are high resolution (minimum 300 dpi)
- Data duplication between text and tables is avoided
- Figures are submitted separately in JPEG, PNG, or TIFF format.
References
JFMTE follows the Vancouver referencing style.
Authors must:
- Number references in order of citation
- Use superscript numerals within text
- Prefer recent and indexed literature
- Include DOI (Digital Object Identifier) wherever available
Example:
- Saukko P, Knight B. Knight’s Forensic Pathology. 4th ed. CRC Press; 2015.
Ethical Requirements
Ethics Committee Approval
Research involving human participants, medico-legal specimens, postmortem samples, or identifiable patient information must:
- Comply with the Declaration of Helsinki
- Obtain Institutional Ethics Committee approval
- Mention approval number within manuscript.
Patient Consent
Written bilingual informed consent is mandatory for:
- Case reports
- Case series
- Identifiable patient information/images
Consent may be waived if patient identification is completely concealed.
Plagiarism Policy
All submissions undergo plagiarism screening.
- Similarity index should preferably be <15%
- Plagiarism, duplicate publication, and fabricated data are strictly prohibited
Violation may result in rejection or retraction.
Authorship and Conflict of Interest
JFMTE follows ICMJE authorship recommendations.
All listed authors must have made substantial contributions to:
- Study conception/design or data acquisition
- Drafting or revising manuscript
- Final manuscript approval
- Accountability for scientific integrity.
All authors must disclose any:
- Financial conflict of interest
- Academic conflict
- Institutional relationship influencing findings
If none exist, state:
“The authors declare no conflict of interest.”
Required Documents for Submission
Authors must submit the following documents:
Any disclosed conflicts shall be evaluated by the Editorial Board and may be published where deemed necessary in the interest of transparency.
Mandatory Documents
- Blinded Manuscript File
(without author names/identifiers) - Separate Title Page (Attach Word file)
- Cover Letter (Attach Word file)
- Author Contribution Form (Attach Word file)
The sample Word files are attached herewith. You can download, fill, get it signed and send it back in PDF format.
Additional Documents (If Applicable)
- Ethics Committee Approval Certificate
- Patient Consent Form
- Funding Disclosure Statement
Step-by-Step Submission Process
Step 1: Prepare Your Manuscript
Ensure your manuscript complies with all formatting, ethical, and referencing requirements.
Step 2: Prepare Supporting Documents
Compile all required documents:
- Manuscript file
- Title page
- Cover letter
- Author contribution form
- Ethics approval (if applicable)
- Patient consent (if applicable)
Step 3: Name Your Files Properly
Recommended file naming format:
Manuscript_Title_Short.docx
TitlePage_AuthorName.pdf
CoverLetter_AuthorName.pdf
Example:
- docx
Step 4: Submit by Email
Send all documents to:
Editorial Office
Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Experts (JFMTE)
Email: editorjfmte@gmail.com
Suggested Email Subject Line:
“Manuscript Submission – [Article Type] – [Short Title]”
Example:
Manuscript Submission – Original Article – Defence Injuries Study
Step 5: Initial Editorial Screening
The editorial office will screen submissions for:
- Scope suitability
- Formatting compliance
- Ethical documentation
- Plagiarism check
- Completeness of files
Incomplete submissions may be returned for correction.
Step 6: Double-Blind Peer Review
Eligible manuscripts undergo double-blind peer review by expert reviewers.
Approximate review period: 4–8 weeks.
Step 7: Editorial Decision
Authors will receive one of the following decisions:
- Accept
- Minor Revision
- Major Revision
- Reject
Step 8: Revision Submission
Authors must:
- Respond to reviewer comments point-by-point
- Highlight all changes in the revised manuscript
- Submit revised files within the specified timelines.
Step 9: Acceptance and Proofreading
Accepted manuscripts undergo copyediting and galley proof preparation.
Corresponding authors will receive proofs for final corrections.
Only minor corrections are permitted at this stage.
Step 10: Publication
The manuscript will be scheduled for publication in an upcoming issue of JFMTE.
Publication Charges
Current Policy:
- No publication charges for manuscripts submitted before journal indexation
- For Life Members – After indexation, manuscript handling charges of ₹1000 + applicable GST may apply.
- For Non – Life Members – After indexation, manuscript handling charges of ₹2000 + applicable GST may apply.
Contact the Editorial Office
For all manuscript-related queries, contact:
Any disclosed conflicts shall be evaluated by the Editorial Board and may be published where deemed necessary in the interest of transparency.
Editorial Office
Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Experts (JFMTE)
Email: editorjfmte@gmail.com
Important Note:
The Editorial Board reserves the right to make minor editorial or stylistic modifications. Non-compliance with journal guidelines may result in rejection or delayed processing. Final publication decisions rest with the Editorial Board.