Archives of Criminology and Forensic Sciences

If the research involves human subjects, the use of their biological materials, or confidential data, authors are required to provide approval (a favorable review) from the local ethics committee or another authorized body of the institution where the research was conducted.

• The body of the article (typically within the "Materials and Methods" section or a dedicated "Ethical Considerations" section) must state: the name of the committee that approved the research, the date of approval, and the document registration number (if available).
• Research involving human subjects must comply with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association.

For all research involving human subjects, authors must obtain written informed consent from all adult participants or their legal representatives (in the case of minors or legally incapacitated individuals).

• If the publication contains identifiable information (e.g., photographs, detailed descriptions of clinical or legal cases), authors must obtain separate written consent for publication from the study participant. Masking the eyes in photographs does not provide a sufficient guarantee of anonymity.
• The Editorial Board reserves the right to request copies of the documents confirming that consent was obtained (while strictly maintaining participant confidentiality). The article must include a statement affirming that informed consent was obtained.

Any personal or medical data that reveal or enable the identification of participants must be altered or concealed to ensure complete anonymity, unless the subject has given explicit written consent to disclose their identity. Authors must comply with the provisions of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and relevant national data protection legislation.

Given the specific focus of the journal, research may be based on materials from pre-trial investigations, court hearings, criminal proceedings, or forensic examinations.

• Investigative confidentiality and privacy: Authors bear personal responsibility for upholding the principles of investigative confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, and the requirements of the current criminal procedural legislation of Ukraine.
• Anonymization of parties to the proceedings: The names of suspects, defendants, victims, and witnesses, as well as any other details that could lead to their identification, must be replaced with pseudonyms or initials, provided this data is not in the public domain (e.g., not contained in open court registries).

The Editorial Board supports the principles of the humane treatment of animals, based on the 3Rs concept.

• Authors are required to provide approval from the institutional animal care and use committee (or an equivalent body) where the experiment was conducted.
• Research must comply with national legislation and Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
• The Editorial Board recommends that authors adhere to the ARRIVE guidelines (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) when reporting on animal studies. The article must explicitly state that all procedures were performed in compliance with the principles of the humane treatment of animals.

As the journal's scope entails in-depth legal, medical, or forensic analysis of complex phenomena, articles may contain descriptions of violence, crimes, the consequences of trauma, or other socially sensitive content. In such cases, the Editorial Board will accompany the publication with an appropriate disclaimer: