Suppression of FSI Genetics
Suppression of FSI Genetics from the 2019 Journal Citation Report
Please note that Forensic Science International-Genetics will not be included in the upcoming release of the Web of Science Journal Citation Reports (JCR) from Clarivate due to atypically high levels of journal self-citation. This would have resulted in an increased Journal Impact Factor (JIF) that would not give an accurate representation of the journal’s standing with respect to the surrounding scholarly literature.
Our analysis was performed using the 2019 citation data for this journal. We found:
– 45.0% of all 2019 outgoing citations from the journal to 2018 or 2017 scholarly literature were journal self-citations.
– These citations account for 44.5% of the JIF numerator.
Each of these values exceed the normal ranges for journals in the Genetics & Heredity and the Medicine, Legal categories.
In 2020, we have updated our methodology and parameters for identifying journal self-citation. The improved methodology makes comparisons within each journal’s category, rather than the entire JCR edition, to better account for discipline norms. (…) Clarivate does not assume or investigate motive on behalf of any party when making the decision to suppress a journal.
We realize this will be disappointing news for you. Suppression from JCR does not result in automatic removal from Web of Science but may result in an editorial re-evaluation. Assuming continued coverage in Web of Science, Forensic Science International-Genetics will be re-considered for inclusion in the 2021 JCR report, based on 2020 data.
Our analysis was performed using the 2019 citation data for this journal. We found:
– 45.0% of all 2019 outgoing citations from the journal to 2018 or 2017 scholarly literature were journal self-citations.
– These citations account for 44.5% of the JIF numerator.
Each of these values exceed the normal ranges for journals in the Genetics & Heredity and the Medicine, Legal categories.
In 2020, we have updated our methodology and parameters for identifying journal self-citation. The improved methodology makes comparisons within each journal’s category, rather than the entire JCR edition, to better account for discipline norms. (…) Clarivate does not assume or investigate motive on behalf of any party when making the decision to suppress a journal.
We realize this will be disappointing news for you. Suppression from JCR does not result in automatic removal from Web of Science but may result in an editorial re-evaluation. Assuming continued coverage in Web of Science, Forensic Science International-Genetics will be re-considered for inclusion in the 2021 JCR report, based on 2020 data.
Percentage of FSIGEN self cites 2014-2019- Letter of appeal by the Editors, sent to Clarivate on July 3, 2020
- Editorial published in FSI Genetics on July 28, 2020
- Letter of re-appeal by the Editors, sent to Clarivate on September 3, 2020
Reactions from the ISFG Working Parties
- https://retractionwatch.com/2020/08/28/major-indexing-service-rejects-appeals-by-two-suppressed-journals/
- GHEP-ISFG manifest, published August 26, 2020
- Letter from the Korean Speaking ISFG Working Group, published end of August, 2020
- Letter from the Polish Speaking ISFG Working Group, published August 25, 2020
- Letter from the German Speaking ISFG Working Group, published August 31, 2020
- Letter from the Italian Speaking ISFG Working Group (Ge.F.I.), published September 2, 2020
- Letter from the Spanish and Portuguese Speaking Working Group, published September 3, 2020
- Letter from the French Speaking Working Group, published September 9, 2020
Reactions from other scientific associations
- Letter from the German Society of Legal Medicine (DGRM), and the Working Group of University Forensic Genetics (UFG), published September 15, 2020
- Letter from the ENFSI DNA Working Group, published October 26, 2020