Legal Reconstruction of DNA Screening Evidence of Schizophrenia in the Criminal Accountability System in Indonesia

The rapid advancement of genetic technologies, such as DNA screening for schizophrenia, presents both opportunities and challenges for the Indonesian criminal justice system. The paper investigates the necessity to restructure current norms to take into account scientific findings while respecting human rights, as well as the legislative framework controlling the use of schizophrenia DNA screening as evidence in criminal proceedings. This study combines an analysis of laws with a normative-empirical legal methodology, court decisions, and literature with insights from interviews with legal and health experts. The results show that the current Indonesian criminal procedure law, specifically Article 184 of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) and Article 44 of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHP), does not explicitly recognize DNA-based evidence, creating legal uncertainty and potential human rights violations for defendants with mental disorders. The gap between genetic data protection in health law and criminal procedure regulations exacerbates the risk of misuse and ethical violations. This study recommends a progressive legal reconstruction that integrates DNA screening into the evidentiary system, ensuring clear legal legitimacy, procedural safeguards, and alignment with bioethical principles and international human rights standards. By establishing comprehensive regulations, technical guidelines, and developing institutional capacity, Indonesia can create a scientifically based, transparent criminal justice system that protects the rights of the accused, thus advancing substantive justice in the era of forensic technology.