The International Association of Forensic Toxicology Consultants (IAFTC) is excited to announce the launch of our professional newsletter and invites members to submit their work for publication.

This is an exceptional opportunity to gain publication credit in a peer-reviewed professional organization newsletter and share your expertise with colleagues across the field.

Publication Timeline

Articles will be published on a rolling basis as soon as they complete peer review and are ready for press. Your work will appear on our website immediately upon acceptance rather than waiting for a traditional issue release date.

Types of Submissions We're Seeking

We welcome diverse contributions including:

• Case Studies - Real-world applications, challenges, or outcomes from your practice
• Emerging Trends - Analysis of new developments in forensic toxicology
• Scientific Reports - Research findings, validation studies, or technical investigations
• Survey Data and Findings - Presentation and analysis of survey results
• Original Articles - In-depth exploration of relevant topics
• Perspectives and Commentary - Thought leadership and opinion pieces on current issues
• News Items - Timely updates and announcements of professional interest
• Happenings from the Field - Professional events, achievements, or noteworthy developments

Free Format Submission Guidelines

What is Free Format?

We accept submissions in free format, which means you have flexibility in how you structure and present your work. You're not required to follow a rigid template or specific journal style—write in the format that best suits your content and focus on clear communication.

• No rigid templates required - Structure your article in the way that best serves your content
• Author's choice of organization - Use the format appropriate for your submission type
• Focus on content quality - Professional writing and clear communication matter more than strict formatting rules
• Standard citation styles accepted - APA, AMA, MLA, or any consistent academic format

Required Elements

All submissions should include:

• Title - Clear and descriptive
• Author name(s) and credentials - Include your professional identification
• Abstract or summary - For research articles, case studies, and scientific reports (150-250 words)
• Introduction - Context for why your topic matters
• Main content - Well-organized sections with appropriate headers
• Conclusion - Key takeaways or implications for practice
• References - Any standard academic citation style is acceptable (APA, AMA, MLA, etc.)
• Conflicts of Interest Statement - Disclosure of any financial or personal interests (see below)
• Acknowledgements - Recognition of contributors, funding sources, or support (if applicable)
• AI Use Disclosure - Statement regarding use of artificial intelligence tools (see below)

Transparency and Disclosure Requirements

Conflicts of Interest Statement

All authors must disclose any financial or personal interests that could be perceived as influencing their work. This promotes transparency and maintains the integrity of published research.

What to disclose:

• Employment relationships (including government laboratory employment)
• Consulting arrangements or expert witness work
• Research funding sources
• Financial interests in companies or products discussed
• Personal relationships that might present conflicts
• Any other circumstances that could be perceived as influencing objectivity

Example disclosure: "Dr. Smith serves as an expert witness in DUI cases and is employed by [Laboratory Name]. This work was partially funded by [Grant Source]."

Acknowledgements

Authors should acknowledge individuals or organizations that contributed to the work but do not meet authorship criteria.

What to include:

• Technical assistance or data collection support
• Funding sources or grants
• Institutional support
• Colleagues who provided feedback or review
• Any other substantive contributions

Example: "The authors thank [Name] for technical assistance with laboratory analysis and [Institution] for providing access to case files. This work was supported by [Funding Source]."

AI Use Disclosure

As artificial intelligence tools become increasingly prevalent in scientific writing, IAFTC requires transparency regarding their use.

Authors must disclose:

• Use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Grammarly AI, etc.) for any aspect of manuscript preparation
• Specific ways AI was used (literature search, writing assistance, data analysis, editing, etc.)
• Which AI tools were used

Important: Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy and integrity of all content, regardless of AI assistance. AI-generated content must be verified for accuracy and properly cited where applicable.

Example disclosure: "The authors used [AI Tool Name] to assist with grammar checking and initial literature organization. All content was verified and substantially revised by the authors. No AI-generated content appears without author review and validation."

File Format

Submit your work in any of the following formats:

• Microsoft Word (.docx)
• Google Doc (share link with edit/comment access)
• Plain text (.txt)
• PDF

Use standard fonts (Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri) in 11 or 12-point size.

Peer Review Process

All submissions undergo peer review to ensure quality and accuracy while maintaining the high professional standards expected of IAFTC publications. Our editorial team will work collaboratively with you on any necessary revisions.

General announcements will not be peer reviewed.

Why Submit?

✓ Publication credit in a professional organization newsletter
✓ Be among the first authors featured in our inaugural volume
✓ Share your expertise with colleagues across the field
✓ Build your professional portfolio with peer-reviewed publication
✓ Contribute to the community by advancing knowledge in forensic toxicology
✓ Immediate visibility through rolling publication on our website

Ready to Submit?

Whether you're an established practitioner, researcher, or emerging professional, we encourage you to share your knowledge and experience. Your contributions will help establish this important platform for professional development and knowledge sharing within our field.

Submit your article or questions to:
editor@iaftc.org

Questions about topics or submission process?
Contact editor@iaftc.org - We're happy to discuss ideas before you submit!

Tips for Success

• Choose a topic you're knowledgeable about and passionate about
• Write clearly for a professional audience
• Support your points with data, examples, or case details
• Organize logically with headers and clear sections
• Cite your sources using any consistent academic format
• Don't worry about perfection - Our editorial team is here to help

Examples of Potential Topics

Not sure what to write about? Here are some ideas to spark your thinking:

• Challenges you've encountered in case work and how you addressed them
• New technologies or methods you've implemented in your laboratory
• Analysis of trends you're seeing in drug testing or toxicology results
• Quality assurance issues and solutions
• Interpretation challenges in complex cases
• Updates on regulatory changes or standards
• Conference highlights or continuing education insights
• Validation studies or method comparisons
• Expert witness experiences and lessons learned

Join Us in Creating Something Special

The IAFTC Newsletter represents a new platform for our professional community to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and advance the field of forensic toxicology and related disciplines. Your contribution will help establish the tone and quality of this important resource.

We look forward to featuring your work!