The Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science was established by Government of India in 1972 within the Bureau of Police Research and Development following recomendations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) to setup a Central Institute for teaching Criminology and Forensic Science. The UGC had earlier set up an Expert Committee to suggest steps to bring 'Criminology' and 'Forensic Science' into the general stream of university education, pursuant to resolutions taken at UNESCO Symposium (London, 1955) that systematic understanding of Criminology and Forensic Science was necessary for Law Enforcement Officers and the Universities should be encouraged to include these disciplines in their curriculum.

The ICFS made humble beginning in 1972 by organizing 2 training courses for senior officers of the Central Justice System. In 1976 it became an independent Department directly under Ministry of Home Affairs with a wider mandate which included propmotion of Criminology and Forensic Science through a variety of means. Since 1972, the institute has made significant headway in training and research in applied aspects of these two subjects. over 34,000 officers from Police and Civil Administration, Prosecution, Judiciary, Correctional Administration, Customs, Defence Forces and Forensic Science Laboratories have attended various orientation and specialized courses at the institute. Officers from foreign countries, namely Afganistan, Bangladesh, Fiji, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia, Maldives, Sudan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Singapore, Thialand, Uganda and Zambia have also participated in some of these courses. The institute has undertaken sevaral research projects in Criminology and Forensic Science and it operates several schemes for promotion of Criminology and Forensic Science.

The institute was upgraded as National Institute in 1991 and in 2003 the institute was renamed after Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan. the institute also offers M.A. / M.Sc. Courses in Criminology and Forensic Science since 2004 in affiliation with Guru Gobin Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi.

Located in Rohini sub-city of the National Capital of Delhi, the institute has 8 acres campus housing administrative wing and teaching areas (About 9000 sq. mtrs.), Hostel space (2400 Sq. mtrs.), several lecture theaters, Seminar rooms, Auditorium besides residential facilities for faculty and staff. The institute has an Instrumentation wing and several laboratories having state-of the art equipment.

Functions

As per the Ministry of Home Affairs Resolution No. 4/20/70-F(P)II/ICFS/GPA.I dated 25th September, 1976, the functions of the institute are as follows,

• To conduct Master of Arts and Master of Science courses in Criminology and Forensic Science.
• To organize various in-service certificate and diploma courses as approved by Government of India from time to time.
• To confer Membership, Associateship and Fellowship to those engaged in the profession of Criminology and Forensic Science.
• To assist the Governmnet of India in formulating policies relating to all matters pertaining to the research and application of Criminology and Forensic Science.
• To collaborate with other institutions, organizations, associations and Societies in India and abroad for the promotion of study of Criminology and Forensic Science, and their application.
• To eatablish and maintain library and information service to disseminate information to different departments of the Government of India and the State Governments and other institutions in matter relating to Criminology and Forensic Science.
• To offer research fellowship, scholorship, prizes and stipends for fostering the study of Criminology and Forensic Science.
• To undertake aid, promote and co-ordinate research in Criminology and Forensic Science through its own or other agencies including Universities and other institutions of standing.
• To analyse specific problem encountered in the fields of Criminology and Forensic Science referred to the institute by State Governmnets or Government of India.
• To undertake all such research and studies either of its own or in collaboration with other organizations or persons on subjects which will serve the cause of Criminology and Forensic Science in the country.
• To publish news-letter, journals, literature on Criminology and Forensic Science which will advance the cause of Criminology and Forensic Science.