individual characteristics of that person must be taken into account, including age, mental capacity, ethnicity and gender. There should never be any threat of reprisals against third persons, including relatives. Interrogations should be conducted having proper regard to the special characteristics of the person being interrogated and in a manner which does not impair the person’s judgment. It is especially important to have particular regard to the rights of children. Any person under the age of 18 should not be questioned without an adult of their choice present. As most people function less well at night than during the day, interrogations should not take place at night except in exceptional circumstances. The Principles for Persons under Detention41 provide as follows: Principle 21 1. It shall be prohibited to take undue advantage of the situation of a detained or imprisoned person for the purpose of compelling him to confess, to incriminate himself otherwise or to testify against any other person. 2. No detained person while being interrogated shall be subject to violence, threats or methods of interrogation which impair his capacity of decision or his judgement. 9. At the time of any arrest or detention (and before any interrogation) a person should be given the right to undergo a medical examination by a competent and impartial medical practitioner in order to provide a point of reference as to their condition before the commencement of any interrogation. The time and findings of the medical examination should be recorded. Commentary Principle 24 of the Principles for Persons under Detention states that:42 58