Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science

The National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science (formerly the ‘Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science’) came into existence on 4th January, 1972 on the recommendations of a Committee appointed by the UGC to look into the applied aspects of education, training and research in the fields of Criminology and Forensic Science to commensurate with the growing needs of the country in general and the Criminal Justice System in India in particular. In September, 1976, the Institute was constituted as a separate department under the Ministry of Home Affairs headed by a full time Director.

Over the years, the Institute has grown from strength to strength and has developed as a unique Institution, which trains, in one place, the higher level functionaries of the entire Criminal Justice System, i.e. the Judiciary, the Police, the Correctional Services, Directorate of Prosecution etc., not only from within the country but also from abroad. It was renamed as the National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science on 5th March, 1991.

The Institute earlier functioned in rented building at Vasant Vihar, Safdarjung Enclave and Jhandewalan Extension till December, 1990. The Institute was shifted to its own 5-acre campus at Sector-3, Rohini, Delhi in December, 1990.

NICFS stands out uniquely amongst the training Institutes in the country as it is the only Government Institute:

1. where joint training is conducted for all components of Criminal Justice System and not to only one;

2. where Criminology and Forensic Science are taught;

3. where Post Graduate Diplomas and Certificates are awarded to working Forensic Scientists; and

4. where Judicial officers are imparted training on the subjects of Criminology and Forensic Science regularly.

Special Features

It is the only Institution providing comprehensive facilities for training , teaching and research in both the Criminology and Forensic Science under one roof

It is the only Institution organizing training programmes for functionaries of all the segments of the criminal justice system, in composite groups, enabling useful inter-segment interaction on criminal justice issues.

It is the nodal and the only institution organizing formal training programmes for working forensic scientists in the country

It is the only Institution offering need-based professional education courses to working forensic scientists, leading to award of Diploma and Certificate to them.

The Institute is recognized as a research center for doctoral and post-doctoral researchers by many Universities in India

It maintains constant, symbiotic and purposeful interaction with academics and scientists of disciplines relevant to the criminal justice process

A new scheme of “NICFS Medals for Excellence in Criminology and Forensic Science” will also be launched on the occasion. The Police Officers on their appointment as D.S.P.s and Sub- Inspectors receive basic training in their respective states. The training curriculum includes study of criminology and Forensic Science.