3 FOREWORD This guide is intended as an auxiliary instrument to the Istanbul Protocol and has been developed as a source of practical reference for medical doctors engaged in the investigation and documentation of cases of alleged torture. It is researched and written within a framework of partnership led by the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) in collaboration with the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT), Physicians for Human Rights USA (PHR USA), REDRESS, and World Medical Association. Similar guides have been developed for lawyers, “Action against torture: A practical guide to the Istanbul Protocol – for lawyers” (IRCT, 2009a) and for psychologists, “Psychological evaluation of torture allegations: A practical guide to the Istanbul Protocol – for psychologists” (IRCT 2009b). It is hoped that these materials offer insights and create synergy between the health and legal professions in a joint effort to combat torture. This guide does not replace the Istanbul Protocol. It gives additional information on the different physical consequences of torture with different degrees of elaboration. It should be used together with the Istanbul Protocol. As in the Istanbul Protocol, torture is defined in this guide according to the definition of torture in article 1 of the UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT). The Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, in popular terms the Istanbul Protocol, contains the first set of internationally recognised standards for the effective examination, investigation and reporting of allegations of torture and ill-treatment. It was drafted by more than 75 experts in law, health and human rights during three years of collective effort involving more than 40 different organisations including the IRCT. The extensive work was initiated and coordinated by the HRFT and the PHR USA. Since its inception in 1999 the Istanbul Protocol has been endorsed and promoted by the UN and other key human rights bodies. It exists in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. In spite of its international standing among legal, health, and human rights experts, awareness of the Istanbul Protocol is still relatively limited. In many cases, medical and legal university curricula do not provide instruction on the examination of torture victims, the treatment of torture victims, or the consequences of torture. As a result, many health and legal professionals have little or no training in the investigation and documentation of torture, which requires specific technical skills and knowledge on both medical and legal procedures to be conducted effectively.