Journal profile · MEDICINE, LEGAL-PATHOLOGY
Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology
ISSN 1547-769X · eISSN 1556-2891 · Springer US · UNITED STATES · Quarterly · Founded 2005
Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology: CAS Zone 4 · Medicine (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 1.51; hybrid open access; APC about USD 2,790; median 110 days to acceptance (56 articles, last 24 months); community-reported acceptance: fairly easy; 223 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology is published by Springer US and is in Zone 4 of Medicine in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes, Restraint-Related Deaths and Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies, together about 37% of its articles. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology explores all aspects of modern day forensics, applying equally to children or adults, either living or the deceased. The range of topics covered includes forensic science, medicine, nursing, and pathology, as well as toxicology, human identification, mass disasters/mass war graves, profiling, imaging, policing, wound assessment, sexual assault, anthropology, archeology, forensic search, entomology, botany, biology, veterinary pathology, and DNA. Mors auxilium vitae, and looking beyond the horizon is crucial in modern forensic medicine. Thus, we also welcome “outside-the-box” papers, i. e. scientific research from the interface of forensic medicine and other medical disciplines. This also applies to the interface of forensic medicine and jurisdiction. i. e. legal assessment of forensic findings. Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology presents a balance of forensic research and reviews from around the world to reflect modern advances through peer-reviewed papers, short communications, meeting proceedings and case reports.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): MEDICINE, LEGAL-PATHOLOGY
Editor-in-chief Claas T. BuschmannPublisher website
Editorial board by country: none in mainland China; most named Australia 12, United States 11, Germany 9, Japan 2, Italy 2 (54 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Autopsy Techniques and OutcomesMedicine15%
- Restraint-Related DeathsMedicine11.9%
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology StudiesArts and Humanities10.1%
- Traumatic Ocular and Foreign Body InjuriesMedicine7%
- Forensic Entomology and Diptera StudiesAgricultural and Biological Sciences6.8%
- Forensic and Genetic ResearchBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology6%
- Child Abuse and Related TraumaMedicine4.5%
- Neuroscience of respiration and sleepNeuroscience4.3%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Medicine Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Medicine | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Medicine, Legal | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Pathology | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Medicine Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Medicine | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Medicine, Legal | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Pathology | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Medicine Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Medicine | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Medicine, Legal | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Pathology | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Indexing the journal's website claims
MEDLINECASPublisher website
Other: Google Scholar, EBSCO, ProQuest, Dimensions, CNKI, Baidu, Naver, OCLC, Portico, CLOCKSS, Semantic Scholar
As the journal's website lists them, not checked against each database; for Web of Science editions the records above apply.
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 1.51LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 1.6Publisher website ·
- 5-year impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 1.7Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 2.6LetPub ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.45LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 1.09LetPub ·
- h-index
- 30LetPub ·
- h-index
- 60OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 789OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 1.49OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 18.8%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 44.04%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 170LetPub ·
- Downloads per year (publisher) 2025
- 852,800Publisher website ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 2,500 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 206 | 64 | 68 |
| 2025 | 223 | 90 | 363 |
| 2024 | 163 | 79 | 452 |
| 2023 | 195 | 87 | 922 |
| 2022 | 125 | 61 | 827 |
| 2021 | 101 | 42 | 981 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Review time from article dates manuscript dates registered with Crossref · to
110 daysMedian, submission to acceptance · P25–P75 60 days – 158 days
- Acceptance to online
- median 13 days (108 articles)
- Submission to online
- median 118 days
- Sample
- 56 articles with submission and acceptance dates (458 in the window); the latest was accepted on
Only articles that were accepted and published are counted, not the time spent on rejected manuscripts, so this usually runs longer than a publisher's "time to first decision".
Other sources
- Average review time (community reports)
- 6–12 weeksLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- Fairly easyLetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 1 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Double anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 2,790 / EUR 4,390 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
What to prepare4 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- 150–250 words
- Keywords
- ≥ 4
- Reference style
- Numbered, in order of citation
- Suggested reviewers
- Optional
Article types accepted19, with length limits
- book reviewPlease provide a word count for your article on the title page. Original papers, Reviews, Case Reports, Commentaries, Technical Reports, Differential Diagnosis,…Length not stated
- book reviewsBook Reviews are invited and short description of selected texts.Length not stated
- case reportPlease provide a word count for your article on the title page. Original papers, Reviews, Case Reports, Commentaries, Technical Reports, Differential Diagnosis,…main text ≤ 2,000 words
- case reportsCase Reports should be approximately 1000-2000 words in length and describe a unique feature of a known disorder or an unusual or rare condition.Length not stated
- commentariesCommentaries by one to several authors may be invited or submitted on a range of topical subjects and should be approximately 1000-2000 words in length.Length not stated
- commentaryPlease provide a word count for your article on the title page. Original papers, Reviews, Case Reports, Commentaries, Technical Reports, Differential Diagnosis,…Length not stated
- differential diagnosisDifferential Diagnosis should include an abstract and key words and be no longer than 1200 words.Length not stated
- editorialDouble-blind peer review This journal follows a double-blind reviewing procedure. This means that the author will remain anonymous to the reviewers throughout p…Length not stated
- forensic forumForensic Forum is designed to provide a way for readers to examine difficult and/or contentious issues in forensic practice.Length not stated
- images in forensicsImages in Forensics should include an abstract and key words and a brief description, no longer than 1200 words, of a particular finding in a “Case Report” form…Length not stated
- lessons from the museumLessons from the Museum should include an abstract and key words and include a brief description, no longer than 1200 word, of a particular finding or condition…Length not stated
- letters to the editorPlease provide a word count for your article on the title page. Original papers, Reviews, Case Reports, Commentaries, Technical Reports, Differential Diagnosis,…Length not stated
- original paperPlease provide a word count for your article on the title page. Original papers, Reviews, Case Reports, Commentaries, Technical Reports, Differential Diagnosis,…main text ≤ 4,000 words
- original papersOriginal papers should be limited to no more than 4,000 words and describe new and original research that has not been previously published.Length not stated
- original researchPlease provide a word count for your article on the title page. Original papers, Reviews, Case Reports, Commentaries, Technical Reports, Differential Diagnosis,…Length not stated
- reviewPlease provide a word count for your article on the title page. Original papers, Reviews, Case Reports, Commentaries, Technical Reports, Differential Diagnosis,…Length not stated
- reviewsReviews should provide a concise synthesis of a particular condition or disorder and be no longer than 4000-6000 words in length.Length not stated
- technical reportsTechnical Reports should be short papers (1000-1200 words maximum) describing a new or modified forensic technique.Length not stated
- updates from the laboratoryUpdates from the Laboratory should include an abstract and key words and include a brief description, no longer than 1200 words, of a particular finding or cond…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Data availability, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Trial registration / reporting guidelines
- AI use Generative AI Images
Please check Springer’s policy on generative AI images and make sure your work adheres to the principles described therein. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Authorship principles
These guidelines describe authorship principles and good authorship practices to which prospective authors should adhere to. Authorship clarified The Journal and Publisher assume all authors agreed with the content and that all gave explicit consent to submit and that they obtained consent from the responsible authorities at the institute/organization where the work has been carried out, before th…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Disclosures and declarations
All authors are requested to include information regarding sources of funding, financial or non-financial interests, study-specific approval by the appropriate ethics committee for research involving humans and/or animals, informed consent if the research involved human participants, and a statement on welfare of animals if the research involved animals (as appropriate). The decision whether such …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Data availability
Data transparency policy. Model summary
All authors are requested to make sure that all data and materials as well as software application or custom code support their published claims and comply with field standards.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics Compliance with Ethical Standards
To ensure objectivity and transparency in research and to ensure that accepted principles of ethical and professional conduct have been followed, authors should include information regarding sources of funding, potential conflicts of interest (financial or non-financial), informed consent if the research involved human participants, and a statement on welfare of animals if the research involved an…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright Copyright
Open Choice articles do not require transfer of copyright as the copyright remains with the author. In opting for open access, the author(s) agree to publish the article under a Creative Commons license. Details of the OA licences offered to authors can be found on the individual journal website, in the journal's How to publish with us guide. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access publishing
To find out more about publishing your work Open Access in Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology, including information on fees, funding and licences, visit our Open access publishing page. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Double-blind peer review
All submissions must undergo peer-review. Model summary
This journal follows a double-blind reviewing procedure. This means that the author will remain anonymous to the reviewers throughout peer review. It is the responsibility of the author to anonymize the manuscript and any associated materials. Author names, affiliations and any other potentially identifying information should be removed from the manuscript text and any accompanying files (such as …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Trial registration / reporting guidelines Clinical Trial Registration
The World Health Organization (WHO) definition of a clinical trial is "any research study that prospectively assigns human participants or groups of humans to one or more health-related interventions to evaluate the effects on health outcomes". The WHO defines health interventions as “A health intervention is an act performed for, with or on behalf of a person or population whose purpose is to ass…
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Springer US
- Country or region
- UNITED STATES
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Quarterly
- Founded
- 2005
- ISSN
- 1547-769X
- Electronic ISSN
- 1556-2891
- Latest issue on the website
- Volume 22, Issue 2 (June 2026)
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗LetPub
- Author guidelines ↗LetPub
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology
What CAS zone is Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology is in Zone 4 of Medicine, and in Zone 4 of the minor category Medicine, Legal / Pathology. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 4 of Medicine. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 1.51; CiteScore 2.6, h-index 60.
How long does peer review take at Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology?
Based on the dates recorded on 56 articles published between October 2024 and October 2026 (the last 24 months), the median time from submission to acceptance is 110 days (interquartile range 60–158 days); authors report an average review time of 6–12 weeks; the community-reported acceptance is “Fairly easy”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: 150–250 words; Keywords: ≥ 4; Reference style: Numbered, in order of citation; Suggested reviewers: Optional. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology based?
Of the 54 board members whose country the journal's board page names, none are in mainland China; the countries named most often are Australia (12), United States (11) and Germany (9). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology is indexed in SCIE and Scopus. The journal's website also lists MEDLINE and CAS; that list has not been checked against each database.
Is Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology open access, and what is the APC?
Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 2,790.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, OpenAlex, Publisher website; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-26). Last updated: .