<![CDATA[Forensic evidence assists judges in explaining facts that require scientific examination and interpretation, but its scientific character does not automatically guarantee the accuracy of the findings or their probative value. This study analyzes the legal status and problems associated with judicial assessment of forensic evidence and formulates assessment standards that support the establishment of material truth in criminal cases. It employs normative legal research using statutory, conceptual, and case approaches. Primary and secondary legal materials were collected through library research and analyzed qualitatively and prescriptively. The study finds that forensic evidence is not an independent category of legal evidence but is presented through forms of evidence recognized under Law Number 20 of 2025. Legal admissibility alone does not establish scientific reliability or sufficient probative value. Judicial assessment is also constrained by limited scientific understanding, dependence on experts and forensic institutions, the integrity of evidence, and divergent interpretations of examination results. This study proposes three sequential and interconnected standards: a legal standard for assessing admissibility, a scientific standard for evaluating the reliability of methods and their application, and an evidentiary standard for determining relevance and probative value. The integrated application of these standards can strengthen judicial reasoning and produce decisions that are rational, transparent, and accountable in establishing material truth.]]>
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