The Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences (Academy), founded in 1967 by the late Dr Oscar R Schmalzbach OBE, aims to bring together learned individuals from the broad areas of the law, medicine and science who are interested in the forensic application of their disciplines.

The Objects of the Academy are:

• to encourage the study, improve the practice, and advance the knowledge of the forensic sciences;
• to establish and maintain an Education and Research Fund for the purposes of the Objects;
• to hold meetings;
• to publish such material as is calculated to further the Objects; and
• to generally do all things as may be calculated to widen, improve and develop the education and knowledge both of these actively concerned in the pursuit of the forensic sciences and the public.

The Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences (Journal) is the official publication of the Academy and helps the Academy meet its Objects.

The Academy invites submission of review articles, research papers, commentaries, book reviews and correspondence relevant to Objects of the Academy. The Editorial policy is to attempt to represent the law, medicine and science and to promote active discussions of the relevant issues of the time as they affect the professional practice of the forensic sciences. The Journal is not restricted to contributions only from Australian authors but it will attempt to represent issues of particular relevance to Australia and its region.

The meetings of the Academy normally include a plenary presentation and the Journal will seek to publish these presentations where appropriate. Plenaries, commentaries and review articles will normally be subject to a single review. Research papers will normally be subject to a double blind review.