Preventing Torture An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions • people who were detained with the victim. They might provide information about who took the person for interrogation, when the person was interrogated, how long the interrogation lasted, the physical condition of the victim before and after interrogation and the account the victim gave to them at the time. • prison officials or law enforcement officers who may have been present during the torture and who object to its use. They may be willing to provide information on a confidential basis. Information found during visits to places of detention Image: APF / Michael Power NHRIs that have access to places of detention can gather corroborating information when they undertake visits in response to an allegation of torture. During these visits, NHRI representatives can verify the description of the building and rooms, check the registers and verify other information, such as the date and time of a person’s admission, removal from the cell and the names of guards on duty. There is medical evidence of torture There are four types of potential medical evidence that can be used to corroborate allegations of torture. They include: • a medical examination of the victim at the time, or shortly after, the torture is alleged to have taken place • a physical examination of the victim at the time s/he made the complaint • a psychological examination of the victim • a post-mortem examination (autopsy). 38 | Chapter 4: Investigating allegations of torture