Best Paper Awards

This award recognises authors who publish scientific studies that underpin forensic disciplines. Papers entered in this category should fill an empirical evidence gap for a current forensic technique or capability. 

Subject of the research is well-defined, and relates to a fundamental component of a discipline and an issue(s) of importance in the relevant discipline.

• Experimental design is effective in addressing the research aims. For example, the sample size is sufficient to draw general conclusions about the population being studied.
• Conclusions are appropriate given the aim of the research and the available experimental data.
• Research study assumptions and limitations are articulated.
• The paper effectively communicates the research and outcomes in a clear, logical flow.
• The international standing of the journal is sufficient to disseminate the information in the paper to a relevant audience.

Please refer to the Empirical Study Design in Forensic Science – A Guideline to Forensic Fundamentals for additional information on how the panel assess empirical study designs.

This award recognises authors who publish scientific studies that support the continuous improvement of the forensic sciences. Papers entered in this category should be empirical studies on a new or emerging forensic capability or innovation.

Assessment Criteria

• Subject of the research is well-defined, and relates to a new discipline capability and issue(s) of importance in the relevant discipline.
• Experimental design is effective in addressing the research aims. For example, the sample size is sufficient to draw general conclusions about the population being studied.
• Conclusions are appropriate given the aim of the research and the available experimental data.
• Research study assumptions and limitations are articulated.
• The paper effectively communicates the research and outcomes in a clear, logical flow.
• The international standing of the journal is sufficient to disseminate the information in the paper to a relevant audience.

Please refer to the Empirical Study Design in Forensic Science – A Guideline to Forensic Fundamentals for additional information on how the panel assess empirical study designs.

This award aims to encourage practitioners to circulate case or technical information within their discipline groups and to the wider community.

A technical note is a short article giving a brief description of a specific technique/procedure or an improvement to an existing technique/procedure. The technical note should be brief and have a technical focus.

The technique or procedure should have current or future operational impact.

A case study may discuss a single or a small group of cases.

Papers in this category should be published in a relevant journal, the ANZPAA NIFS Newsletter (The Forensic Exhibit), SAG newsletters or equivalent.

Assessment Criteria

• Subject of the research/study should have practical value, is well-defined and relates to issue(s) of importance in the relevant discipline.
• The issue or problem being addressed is well articulated.
• Experimental design is relevant and effective in addressing the aims of the research (where applicable).
• Methodology is rigorous and scientifically valid.
• Conclusions are appropriate to experimental data/case and issue being addressed. 
• Recommendations (if appropriate) consider the application of the technique in an operational context.
• Research study assumptions and limitations are articulated.
• The paper effectively communicates the research outcomes or case study in a clear, logical flow.
• Outcomes of the research/study contribute to the general knowledge in the field.
• Diagrams and/or pictures are used appropriately to aid effective communication.

This award recognises those who have prepared a literature review (collating information regarding a topic or discipline) or opinion article, including editorials.

Literature reviews should accurately reflect the current body of literature available on a topic of forensic significance. Opinion articles should present a novel view about 'big ideas', significant events, challenges, emerging issues or recommended directions in forensic science. The review or article should be published in a relevant journal, newsletter, as part of a thesis or equivalent. Assessment Criteria

• Subject of the research is well-defined and relates to issue(s) of importance in the relevant discipline.  
• Breadth of the literature review is reflective of the collective research on the subject.  
• The opinion article presents a logical and balanced discussion of the topic.
• The paper effectively communicates the research and outcomes in a clear, logical flow.

This award aims to encourage new researchers to publish research they have undertaken. The award focuses on first time publishers from police, government or crown research agencies, whether they are new practitioners, or have been in the industry for some time and are new to publishing. The submitted article should be the first paper the practitioner has published as a lead author.

Assessment Criteria

• Subject of the research is well-defined and relates to issue(s) of importance in the relevant discipline.
• Experimental design is relevant and effective in addressing the aims of the research. For example, the sample size is sufficient to allow results to be generalised to the population.
• Conclusions are appropriate to experimental data and issue being addressed.Research study assumptions and limitations are articulated.
• The paper effectively communicates the research and outcomes in a clear, logical flow.

Please refer to the Empirical Study Design in Forensic Science – A Guideline to Forensic Fundamentals for additional information on how the panel assess empirical study designs.