Journal of Criminal Psychology Cover Image for Volume 16, Issue 5
Current Issue
Volume 16,
Issue 5,
13 August 2026

About the Journal of Criminal Psychology

International and multidisciplinary, the Journal of Criminal Psychology publishes both scholarly and practitioner-based research on all aspects of the psychology of criminal behaviour.

Submission information

Accepted manuscript types and word counts

  • Research Paper — up to 8000 words
  • Brief Research Report — up to 4000 words
  • Viewpoint — up to 4000 words
  • Editorial — up to 3000 words
  • Book Review — up to 1200 words

Please see the article types and word counts section on the about this journal page for more information. The word count includes all text, figures and tables. When estimating your total, please allow 280 words for each figure or table. Read more about the article types for this journal.

Reference style

Use the Harvard reference style. Read more about the reference types for this journal.

Keywords

Please include up to 6 short, relevant keywords that describe the main topics of your paper.

Peer review type

Double anonymous peer review. All submissions are sent to at least 2 independent and anonymous reviewers.

Open access options

This is a hybrid journal. Hybrid journals are subscription journals but offer all authors the option to publish their work open access. If you choose to publish open access you will be required to pay an article processing charge (APC). Alternatively you can opt for the green open access route and self-archive your article (at no cost to the author). Read more about our open access options.

Accepted languages

This journal only accepts manuscripts written in UK or US English.

Accepted submission files

Article files should be provided in Microsoft Word format.

View author guidelines

Calls for papers

Closes: 30th September 2026

The contribution of behavioural and social science in directly supporting effective law enforcement investigative practice.

Guest editor(s): Lee Rainbow, Amy Burrell

Closes: 20th December 2027

This special issue examines restorative justice in sexual violence through perpetrator perspectives, integrating research and practice to explore accountability, risk, and diverse international approaches.​

Guest editor(s): Dr Masahiro Suzuki, ​​Dr Estelle Zinsstag