Ethics reporting in forensic science research publications - A review

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Bioethics
• Scientific Publishing

Background:

• Ethical approval and informed consent are crucial for scientific research integrity.
• Previous studies have not comprehensively assessed ethical reporting in forensic science publications.
• This study addresses the gap in understanding ethical declaration practices in forensic science journals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the reporting rates of ethical approval and informed consent in forensic science research.
• To identify factors influencing the declaration of ethical standards in publications.
• To advocate for improved ethical reporting practices in the field.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of original research articles published in six forensic science journals between 2010 and 2019.
• Inclusion criteria focused on studies utilizing human or animal subjects or tissues.
• Data extraction included declarations of ethical approval, committee names, approval codes, and informed consent procedures.

Main Results:

• Out of 3010 included articles, only 35.8% declared ethical approval.
• Of those with approval, 85.9% named the committee, but only 36% provided an approval code.
• Informed consent was reported in 17.5% of studies, with details on the consent process lacking in most cases.
• Reporting rates varied based on research type, funding, and author affiliation.

Conclusions:

• Forensic science publications exhibit a low standard of ethical approval and informed consent reporting.
• There is a critical need for enhanced transparency and consistency in ethical declarations.
• Adoption of standardized reporting models, like that from Forensic Science International: Genetics, is recommended.