Behavioral Sciences and the Law

Aims & Scope

Behavioral Sciences & the Law is a peer reviewed journal which provides current and comprehensive information from throughout the world on topics at the interface of the law and the behavioral sciences.

The journal balances theoretical, mental health, legal, and research writings to provide a broad perspective on pertinent psycho-legal topics.

Most issues are devoted primarily to one special topic, often presented from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.

One special issue per year is specifically targeted toward "International Perspectives" on the selected topic.

In addition, one issue each year is devoted to miscellaneous research articles, special perspectives, book review/essays, adversarial forums, and articles of special concern to practitioners; such offerings are also published in other issues as space permits.

The journal also appeals to clinicians, academics, researchers, and policy makers.

Six issues are published per year, and articles are published in English.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	1.3
2024	1.00

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	0.459

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q1

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	12412

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	226

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science
• Medline

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Medicine, Psychology and Social Sciences, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Public trust and confidence in legal authorities: What do majority and minority group members want from the law and legal institutions?*

  Citation: 433

  Authors: Tom R.

• Corporate psychopathy: Talking the walk

  Citation: 432

  Authors: Paul, Craig S., Robert D.

• (Im)maturity of judgment in adolescence: why adolescents may be less culpable than adults*

  Citation: 415

  Authors: Elizabeth, Laurence

• Reduced prefrontal and increased subcortical brain functioning assessed using positron emission tomography in predatory and affective murderers

  Citation: 380

  Authors: Adrian, J. Reid, Susan, Jackie, Lori, Monte S.

• Psychopathy and the predictive validity of the PCL-R: an international perspective

  Citation: 367

  Authors: Robert D., Danny, Martin, David

• The 4 year stability of psychopathic traits in non‐referred youth

  Citation: 316

  Authors: Paul J., Eva R., Danielle M., Jamie M.

• Assessment of “juvenile psychopathy” and its association with violence: a critical review*

  Citation: 272

  Authors: John F., Jennifer L., Keith R., Elizabeth

• Impulsivity, aggression, and serotonin: a molecular psychobiological perspective

  Citation: 262

  Authors: Klaus Peter, Ursula

• Treating criminal psychopaths in a therapeutic community program

  Citation: 244

  Authors: James R. P., Stephen, Anthony

• Two scales for measuring patients' perceptions for coercion during mental hospital admission

  Citation: 229

  Authors: William, Steven K., Nancy, Loren H., Charles W., John, Edward P.

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