Hello PatentsViewers

I am very new on the patent field. Maybe it is a primitive question, so sorry for my lack of knowledge on the datasets. 

I am working with patents data, calculating patenting experience of the sample firms. My coauthors wanted me to include "forward citations" in our dataset. I am curious whether the variable forward citations include self-citation to the patent owner or not (If yes, I have to exclude) thank you

Melike