32 Part I: Recognition and usage investigation, and therefore detainees must be enabled to submit allegations of torture to the relevant authorities through simple means and free from fear of retaliation. In this respect, international tribunals have noted that difficulties in obtaining evidence regarding the occurrence of torture must not impair the alleged victim’s access to justice and reparations. • Treating allegations with seriousness: state officers must consider any allegation of torture as a serious matter. Allegations are often discarded without even an interview with the complainant; even when an interview occurs, it is common that relevant examinations are not carried out in a timely fashion. Complainants must be interviewed and medical personnel must carry out complete examinations, including photographic records and examinations of internal lesions and documentation of psychological symptoms. Administrative and judicial sanctions must be applied to justice/state agents who are found to have ignored torture allegations or to have dealt with them negligently. • Prosecuting perpetrators at all levels: the investigation of those responsible for a violation has been permanently established as a natural consequence of all domestic and international obligations of the state in relation to torture, and is a necessary pre-requisite for the eradication of impunity (which is one of the most evident facilitating factors of torture). The obligation to prosecute includes pursuing action against material authors, intellectual authors, facilitators and anyone who covers up the violation. It is further essential that victims and their family members have full access and capacity to act in all stages of the investigation and prosecution. • Eliminating legal obstacles to prosecution: states cannot excuse slow or negligent investigations by pointing to the lack of activity of the interested parties and must refrain from implementing blanket amnesty in cases of torture. • Voiding/excluding all evidence obtained through torture: perpetration of torture in the context of a judicial process