CAT/C/42/2 page 9 23. Among its principal methods for fact-finding on visits, the SPT uses the triangulation of information gathered independently from a variety of sources, including direct observation, interviews, medical examination and perusal of documentation, in order to arrive at a view of the particular situation under scrutiny as regards the risk of torture or other cruel in human or degrading treatment or punishment and as regards the presence or absence, strength or weakness of safeguards. SPT delegations draw conclusions on the basis of its cross-checked findings made during visits. 24. During the year the SPT noted with satisfaction that some States parties plan to or are in the process of implementing the Istanbul Protocol as a tool to document torture, first of all in the fight against impunity. The SPT has analysed the usefulness of the Istanbul Protocol, not only in the fight against impunity, but also in the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and has identified some challenges. The analysis appears in annex VII. Considering the validity and usefulness of the Istanbul Protocol as a soft law instrument, the SPT is of the view that States should promote, disseminate and implement the Protocol as a legal instrument to document torture cases of people deprived of their liberty through medical and psychological reports drafted under adequate technical standards. These reports can not only constitute important evidence in torture cases but, most importantly, they can contribute to the prevention of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. The Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture notes that it is crucial that doctors and other health professionals be effectively independent from police and penitentiary institutions, both in their structure - human and financial resources - and function - appointment, promotion and remuneration. 25. At the end of each regular SPT visit, the delegation presented its preliminary observations to the authorities orally in a confidential final meeting. The SPT wishes to thank the authorities of Benin, Mexico and Paraguay for the spirit in which the initial observations of its delegations were received and the constructive discussions ensuing about ways forward. After each visit the SPT wrote to the authorities, reiterating key preliminary observations and requesting feedback and updated information on any steps taken or being planned since the visit to address the issues raised during the final meeting, in particular on certain issues which could be or were due to be addressed in the weeks following the visit. The SPT indicated that responses communicated by the authorities would be considered in the drafting of the visit report. 26. The authorities were also reminded, later in the period after the visit, that any responses received by the SPT before adoption of the draft visit report in plenary session would form part of the SPT’s deliberations when considering adoption. These communications form an important part of the ongoing preventive dialogue between the State party and the SPT. The SPT is gratified to report that on each of the visits carried out to date, it has received feedback from authorities concerning the preliminary observations and further information prior to the adoption of each visit report. This is an indication that the States parties initially visited have embraced the ongoing process of dialogue and incremental progress on prevention. 27. The authorities are asked to respond in writing to the recommendations and to the requests for further information in the SPT’s report on the visit to that State, as transmitted to them in confidence after adoption by the SPT. Thus far all the responses of the authorities concerned have arrived on time - a clear signal of the goodwill of States parties to cooperate with the SPT.