Novel Forensic Research (NOFOR) recognizes the increasing use of artificial
intelligence (AI) tools, including large language models (LLMs) and other
AI-assisted technologies, in manuscript preparation, peer review, and editorial
processes.
The journal supports the responsible and transparent use of AI technologies
while maintaining scientific integrity, human accountability, confidentiality,
and ethical publishing standards in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
and the International
Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).
For Authors
Disclosure Requirements
Authors must clearly disclose the use of AI tools in manuscript preparation,
language editing, data analysis, image generation, or other relevant processes
when applicable.
The name, version, and specific purpose of the AI tool must be stated in the
manuscript, preferably in the Methods or Acknowledgments section, as
appropriate.
Authorship and Accountability
Artificial intelligence tools cannot be listed as authors or co-authors
because they cannot assume responsibility for scientific content, in accordance
with ICMJE
recommendations.
Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity,
and validity of all submitted material, including AI-assisted content.
All AI-generated text, analyses, interpretations, and other outputs must be
carefully reviewed, verified, and approved by the authors before submission.
Data Accuracy and Validation
Authors are responsible for verifying the accuracy and reliability of
AI-assisted analyses, references, interpretations, and scientific findings.
Fabricated references, misleading information, manipulated data, or
inaccurate AI-generated content may constitute scientific misconduct.
AI-generated or AI-manipulated images must not be presented as authentic
clinical, forensic, or experimental evidence.
Ethical and Confidential Considerations
The use of AI tools must comply with applicable ethical guidelines,
confidentiality requirements, privacy regulations, data protection standards,
and institutional policies.
Confidential patient records, forensic case files, autopsy images,
postmortem biological data, and information obtained from criminal
investigations must not be uploaded to AI platforms unless appropriate
authorization and adequate data protection safeguards are established.
For Reviewers
Accountability and Validation
Reviewers remain fully responsible for the content, scientific accuracy, and
recommendations of their peer review reports.
Generative AI tools, including large language models, must not be used to
generate peer review reports or replace independent scientific evaluation.
Confidentiality
Reviewers must not upload unpublished manuscripts, confidential data,
images, forensic records, or reviewer reports to publicly accessible AI
platforms or third-party systems that may compromise confidentiality or data
security.
Reviewers must comply with the journal's COPE
Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers.
For Editors
Accountability and Validation
Editors may use AI-supported tools in limited editorial processes while
maintaining full human oversight and editorial responsibility.
Editors remain fully responsible for manuscript evaluation, editorial
communications, and publication decisions.
AI-generated assessments or recommendations must not replace independent
editorial judgment. All AI-assisted editorial outputs must be appropriately verified.
Ethical and Confidential Considerations
Editorial use of AI tools must comply with relevant COPE guidance, confidentiality
requirements, privacy regulations, and data protection principles.
Editorial workflows incorporating AI-assisted technologies must protect the
confidentiality and security of manuscripts, authors, reviewers, and sensitive
forensic information.
Final editorial decisions must always be made by authorized human editors.