Interpretation of findings The Istanbul Principles require clinicians to provide an “interpretation as to the probable relationship of the physical and psychological findings to possible torture or ill-treatment.”. In this sense, “physical and psychological findings” can include symptoms, signs, historical information, diagnostic test results, photographs, and prior medical evaluations. The clinician should correlate the following: a. To what extent is the history of acute and chronic physical symptoms and disabilities consistent with the allegations of torture and/or ill-treatment? b. To what extent are the findings of the physical examination consistent with the allegations of torture and/or ill-treatment? (Note: the absence of physical findings does not exclude the possibility that torture, or ill-treatment was inflicted.) c. To what extent are the findings of the examination consistent with known torture methods and their common after-effects used in a particular region? Conclusions and recommendations Clinicians should formulate a clinical opinion on the possibility of torture or ill-treatment based on all relevant clinical evidence, including physical and psychological findings, historical information, photographic findings, diagnostic test results, knowledge of regional practices of torture, consultation reports, etc. 21