Call for Abstracts
Abstract Submission – Instructions for Authors
The Scientific Program Committee invites the opportunity for accepted authors to modify their abstract to update critical results and will consider late breaking abstracts recognising the dynamic nature of our forensic science community’s research.
Key dates
| Abstract Submission Re-open | Monday 2 November 2020 |
| Abstract Submission Close | Monday 7 December 2020 |
| Authors Notified of Acceptance | Friday 29 January 2021 |
| Author Registration & Early Bird Deadline | Wednesday 17 February 2021 |
| IAFS 2020 Meeting Dates | 17 – 21 May 2021 |
Abstract modification guidelines
Accepted authors for oral and digital poster presentations may modify and resubmit their abstract if corrections to spelling, grammar or co-author information are required as well as if new research impacts the results of the abstract.
Please note that any significant change to an abstract will be subject to another round of review with no guarantee that the presentation will remain in the Scientific Program. The new review may result in a change to the presentation type (i.e. if the abstract was originally accepted as an oral presentation, it may be changed to a digital poster presentation). There is limited capacity within the Scientific Program, therefore there is no guarantee that accepted abstracts for digital poster presentations will be awarded an oral presentation.
The below fields may be modified:
1. Paper title (must be in sentence case).
2. Co-author information, including adding or removing a co-author.
3. Change in presenter. The presenting author must submit the abstract.
4. Slight update to the content based on new research/results that alters the original abstract. Please see abstract format and layout guidelines on how to present the updated abstract.
Abstract format and layout – modification and resubmission
• Abstracts must not exceed a 400-word limit. The word limit relates only to the text of the abstract and does not include title, authors and institutions.
• If the abstract content is being updated, authors must submit two sections, original and new abstract (see point 4). In this case, the word limit is 800-words.
• You will be asked to notify the Meeting Managers of any abstract changes. A mandatory text field will be available for you to advise why you modified the abstract.
• Use single line spacing.
• No tables, figures or images are allowed.
• Abstracts must be free of typographical and grammatical errors.
• Standard abbreviations may be used for common terms only. Otherwise, any abbreviation should be given in brackets after the first full use of the word. Abbreviations may be used in the title, provided the name in full is outlined in the body of the abstract.
• You will be asked to provide a short biography (up to 150 words) with your submission.
• Please include degrees or professional titles (e.g. Dr, Prof., etc).
• It is the author’s responsibility to ensure the title, author and affiliation details entered in the paper submission site are correct and exactly as they should be published on the abstract and all Meeting materials.
Late breaking abstract guidelines
The Scientific Program Committee will consider submissions for late breaking abstracts that are based on new research and recent findings only (e.g. COVID-19 related). Late breaking abstracts should present ground-breaking and innovative content. We expect that most of our late breaking abstracts will end up as digital poster contributions unless program space permits.
The following presentation types will be available for selection upon submission of a late breaking abstract:
Oral Presentation: 15-minute presentation, comprising a 12-minute platform + 3 minutes for questions.
Digital Poster Presentation: Available to view on smartphones, tablets and interactive kiosks provided in the exhibition hall throughout the duration of the Meeting. For further information, please click here.
Abstract format and layout – late breaking abstracts
• Abstracts must not exceed a 400-word limit. The word limit relates only to the text of the abstract and does not include title, authors and institutions.
• Use single line spacing.
• No tables, figures or images are allowed.
• Abstracts must be free of typographical and grammatical errors.
• Standard abbreviations may be used for common terms only. Otherwise, any abbreviation should be given in brackets after the first full use of the word. Abbreviations may be used in the title, provided the name in full is outlined in the body of the abstract.
• You will be asked to provide a short biography (up to 150 words) with your submission.
• You will be asked to nominate your preference for digital poster or oral presentation.
• Please include degrees or professional titles (e.g. Dr, Prof., etc).
• It is the author’s responsibility to ensure the title, author and affiliation details entered in the paper submission site are correct and exactly as they should be published on the abstract and all Meeting materials
General policies and requirements
• The presenting author will be required to register for the Meeting in order to ensure their abstract(s) is included in the final program. Deadline for presenting author registration is Wednesday 17 February 2021.
• All submissions must be completed electronically via the online submission facility. If you are unable to submit in this manner, please contact the Meeting Managers at iafs2020@arinex.com.au or phone: +61 2 9265 0700 for further information.
• All abstracts must be prepared according to the guidelines provided. Abstracts will only be accepted if submitted within the format and layout guidelines.
• There is no limit to the number of abstracts that may be submitted by an individual. However, splitting of a body of work into multiple abstracts is discouraged and consolidation into one abstract is preferred. In addition, a maximum of two abstracts may be accepted into the scientific program.
• Authors are required to acknowledge that by submitting an abstract, permission is automatically given for the abstract (if approved) to be made available on the website and via the app, and possibly published more broadly.
• Abstracts will be reviewed according to the evaluation criteria (see below) by the respective Scientific Program Committee. The Committee may reject or accept the abstract and their decision is final. The Committee will allocate accepted abstracts into a presentation type. The Committee will consider the authors’ preferences in relation to presentation type, and these preferences will be balanced against number of oral presentations an individual is making, and the overall balance of content in a Discipline.
Evaluation criteria
• Offers new data/knowledge or demonstrates innovation or has the potential to challenge/change current practice or foster professional debate
• Scientific merit of the underlying study
• Contribution to the Discipline
• Relevance to the Meeting and likelihood of being of interest to delegates within the Discipline
• Clearly states the aims
• Describes appropriate methods/methodology
• Describes relevant results/ findings
• Draws valid conclusions from results/findings
Notification of acceptance
The Scientific Program Committee and Discipline Convenors will review all submitted abstracts and asses them in relation to quality and relevance to the Meeting disciplines. Notifications of acceptance will be sent via email to the submitting author on Friday 29 January 2021. Abstracts submitted for oral presentations that cannot be accommodated within the program will be considered and reviewed for a place in the digital poster.
Where an abstract for a paper is accepted, revisions or changes of emphasis to match the Meeting Discipline may be requested as there will be an opportunity to submit an extended abstract or full paper to relevant journals directly.
All presentations will be required to provide a recommended action under the theme ‘where to from here’ for IAFS or the forensic science profession in response to the concerns or issues discussed in their abstract and presentation.
The Meeting Managers will not be held responsible for abstract submissions not received via the website or for submission errors caused by internet service outages, hardware or software delays, power outages or unforeseen events.
Submitting your modified abstract
1. Log in to the abstract submission portal via the Meeting website.
2. Once logged in, click ‘manage submissions’ to access your abstract/s.
3. Select the ‘edit’ icon on the abstract you wish to modify.
4. You may edit your abstract title and co-authors.
5. If you choose to edit the abstract content, upload your abstract in a .doc or .docx format, following the format used in the abstract submission template. Authors must submit two sections, original and new abstract
6. You will be asked to notify the Meeting Managers of any abstract changes via a tick box. A mandatory text field will appear for you to advise in a few words, why you modified the abstract.
7. Click ‘Preview and Submit’. You will be able to preview your abstract and make any changes if required.
8. While on the preview window, click ‘Submit’ to confirm your submission.
Submitting your late breaking abstract
1. Abstract submissions will only be accepted via the Meeting Website and in the format noted above.
2. You will be asked to create an account. Please remember your password in case you need to access it again to make any changes to your submission.
3. Once logged in, click ‘submit abstract’ to access the submission page.
4. Select your presentation type. Please note your abstract may be accepted into the Scientific Program as a different presentation type to your requested presentation type.
5. Enter your abstract title.
6. Upload your abstract in a .doc or .docx format, following the format used in the abstract submission template.
7. List all authors and their affiliations in the correct order, ensuring you indicate yourself as the presenting author for the abstract.
8. Select the Discipline applicable to your abstract.
9. Click ‘Preview and Submit’. You will be able to preview your abstract and make any changes if required.
10. While on the preview window, click ‘Submit’ to confirm your submission.
Disciplines
|
Anthropology & Archaeology |
Issues relevant to the recovery and examination of human remains (e.g., from clandestine burials), physical anthropology (including human osteology), and the application of archaeological methods to the collection and interpretation of traces. |
|
Biological Criminalistics |
All aspects of forensic biology, including the collection and analysis of biological materials (from presumptive tests through to DNA profiling), and the interpretation of associated results. |
|
Chemical Criminalistics |
Physical and chemical analysis of materials, including glass, paint, textile fibres, and miscellaneous substances not covered elsewhere, and the interpretation of the associated results. |
|
Clinical Forensic Medicine & Forensic Nursing |
All aspects of clinical forensic medicine (clinical practices to support potential legal proceedings) and forensic nursing (nursing processes associated with the treatment of patients in cases of abuse, violence, criminal activity, liability, and accidents). |
|
Crime Scene Investigation |
Issues related to crime scene examinations and the disciplines generally covered by field-based practitioners (e.g., scene of crime detection, scene recording, footwear impressions, bloodstain pattern analysis, etc.) |
|
Digital Forensic Science & Electronic Evidence |
Forensic exploitation of the various forms of digital/electronic information that may form part of an investigation (e.g., data from mobile phones, laptops, PCs, PDAs, GPS systems, etc.), including its collection, analysis and interpretation. |
|
Document Examination |
The examination of questioned documents, including the physical and chemical analysis of paper, inks, toners, etc., and the interpretation of associated results. |
|
Education & Training |
Issues related to education and training across the various fields of forensic science, including tertiary education, online programs, short courses and continuing professional education. |
|
Fingerprint Evidence & Biometrics |
Physical and chemical techniques used for fingermark detection and enhancement, together with issues related to fingerprint identification, including the interpretation of fingerprint evidence. Also includes biometric technologies for authentication and identification purposes (e.g., access control) that measure and analyse human body characteristics, such as fingerprints, eye retinas and irises, voice patterns, facial configurations and hand measurements. |
|
Firearms & Toolmarks |
Issues related to scene examination, and specimen collection, analysis and interpretation for incidents involving firearms and toolmarks. This includes the chemical analysis of firearm discharge residues. |
|
Fires & Explosions |
Issues related to scene examination, specimen collection, analysis and interpretation for incidents involving fire or explosion. This includes the chemical analysis of fire debris and explosive residues. |
|
Forensic Pathology |
Pathology that focuses on medicolegal investigations of sudden or unexpected death with a view to determining cause, manner and mode of death. |
|
Forensic Taphonomy & Entomology |
The interrelated studies of the post-mortem changes of human remains – focusing largely on environmental effects – and the identification and biological attributes of insects with application to forensic investigations (e.g., through estimation of the post-mortem interval). |
|
Humanitarian Forensic Science |
The application of the knowledge and skills of forensic medicine and science to humanitarian action, especially following conflicts or disasters. This includes the forensic response to mass graves and mass-casualty incidents where Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) protocols are required, and complex investigations and prosecutions of international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. |
|
Illicit Drugs & Clandestine Laboratories |
Issues related to scene examination, specimen collection and analysis for incidents involving illicit drugs, including clandestine laboratories involved in the manufacture of illicit materials. Specimen analysis includes the application of chemical profiling techniques, related databases, and data interpretation issues. |
|
Management & Quality Assurance |
Aspects related to the management of forensic services, including quality assurance requirements (e.g., ISO 17025 accreditation). |
|
Military Forensic Science & Counterterrorism |
The military application of forensic techniques (including battlefield forensics) and issues specifically related to counterterrorism. This includes specimen collection and analysis where CBRN agents may be involved. |
|
Odontology |
Application of dental science to legal investigations, primarily involving the identification of human remains based on dental records, or the identification of an offender by comparing dental records to a bite mark left on a victim or at the scene. |
|
Psychiatry & Behavioural Sciences |
Psychiatric consultation and the assessment of mental health applied to legal matters, including clinical work with both offenders and victims. Behavioural science covers the various disciplines that deal with human actions, with such fields including sociology, social and cultural anthropology, and psychology. |
|
Science, Justice & Legal Issues |
Issues related to the interface between the various forensic science disciplines, the forensic science system and the justice system in its broadest definition, including how forensic evidence is perceived and interpreted by the legal community, how forensic evidence is presented in court, and how we can make forensic science more effective and reliable. This includes cases of alleged or actual wrongful conviction. |
|
Toxicology & Pharmacology |
Aspects related to the use of toxicology and other disciplines – such as analytical chemistry, pharmacology and clinical chemistry – as part of the medicolegal investigation into incidents of death, poisoning, and drug use. This includes the topic of anti-doping in sports. |
|
Wildlife Forensics & Environmental Crime |
Issues related to the physical and biochemical analysis of animal- and plant-based material that may be encountered in wildlife crime investigations (e.g., illegal trafficking of native animals and plants), as well as specimen collection and analysis for broader environmental crime investigations, such as pollution incidents. |
Oral Presentation Guidelines
Poster Presentation Guidelines
Digital Poster Template
Program At A Glance
Online Registration Form
