Institute of Criminal Justice and Forensic Psychology (ICJFP)
Advancing psychological science in law and justice in Aotearoa
The Institute of Criminal Justice and Forensic Psychology (ICJFP) was launched in 2004. Forensic psychology in Aotearoa applies psychological science and professional practice to law and justice across criminal, youth, family, civil, and administrative settings. Our members work with people who have offended or are at risk, victims/survivors and whānau, witnesses, and justice personnel, and provide independent advice and evidence to courts, tribunals, and agencies. We are committed to Te Tiriti-aligned, culturally responsive, evidence-informed practice.
The focus of the Institute includes:
- criminal justice psychology as a core aspect of forensic psychology, focusing on the assessment, treatment, and management of offending behaviour
- court and tribunal evaluations and expert evidence (e.g., fitness to plead/stand trial, insanity, criminal responsibility, parental evaluation, capacity, credibility/reliability of witnesses and confessions)
- consultation, training, supervision, research, and programme design/evaluation across police, courts, corrections, health, and community settings.
Mission of the ICJFP
To establish a clear professional identity in Aotearoa for criminal justice and forensic psychology, and to promote evidence-informed best practice for the benefit of clients, victims/survivors, whānau, communities, and the discipline of psychology, consistent with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Aims of the ICJFP
- To promote high standards of practice, research, and training across the full breadth of criminal justice and forensic psychology.
- To promote minimum training standards, supervision, cultural competence (including Te Tiriti-aligned practice), and ongoing competence requirements for forensic psychologists and organisations that employ them.
- To identify opportunities for professional development and provide guidance, resources, and relevant training for psychologists working at the intersections with legal proceedings and processes.
- To raise the profile of criminal justice and forensic psychology in the psychology community and more broadly.
- To support coordinated research, evaluation, and tertiary training initiatives, and to foster partnerships with iwi, Māori and Pacific providers, and justice sector organisations to improve outcomes and reduce harm.
2025–2026 Committee
- Nick Lascelles (Chair)
- Apriel Jolliffe-Simpson (Secretary)
- Cristina Fon (Treasurer)
- Jon Nuth
- Anja Isaacson
- Jonathan Derbyshire
- Meg Greer
- Linda Fatialofa (Student Representative)
- Doug Carroll (Student Representative)
- Zahra Rennie (Student Representative)
How to join the ICJFP
Only Full Members or Student subscribers of the NZPsS may apply for membership of the ICJFP.
click here for the online application form
Membership criteria
Membership criteria have been designed to be inclusive, but with an emphasis on providing full membership to those psychologists who are currently working in the criminal justice field and associate membership to those who are interested in the field and want to develop their professional knowledge and ability in the area. Note: Only Full members have voting rights.
Interim membership criteria covering these two classes of membership (Full and Associate) have been agreed. Both membership classes get reduced rates for attending ICJFP-sponsored or organised professional development training courses (excluding the NZPsS annual conference). Both Full and Associate members and Student subscribers get preferential places on professional development activities that have restricted numbers.
Membership is free (it's included in your annual NZPsS subscription).
NZPsS students
If you are an NZPsS Student subscriber and enrolled in a forensic programme, we add you as an ICJFP student automatically – there is no need to complete another application form. Please note that NZPsS Student subscribers can become Institute student subscribers only. To become a Full member of an Institute you need to be a Full member of NZPsS first.
ICJFP Student Grant
Each year the Institute offers Student Grants to attend conference, with preference being given to those intending to present as part of the ICJFP symposium. An application form for the next conference will be available in due course.
Professional development
We are interested in hearing what professional development opportunities would be of most interest to our members. Please let us know which topics and/or speakers (including local, national, or international) you would be most interested in attending a workshop for. To suggest or request a professional development workshop please email for forwarding to the ICJFP. Include as many suggestions as you like!
Contact
Contact the membership administrator Helen Weststrate on for more information on becoming an ICJFP member.
