PART B – International standards in the Istanbul Protocol or practice that may have brought about the torture.”123 The evidence will fall into three main categories; that obtained at the “scene of the crime”, medical evidence and witness testimony: i. Scene of the crime evidence The scene of the crime should be identified and secured as soon as possible in order to preserve any evidence located there. Once sealed off, the investigator should: Collect and record all material evidence in accordance with established procedures. This includes, according to the Istanbul Protocol, the taking, labelling and preserving of: • “[…]any samples found of body fluid (such as blood or semen), hair, fibres and threads[…] • […]any implements that could be used to inflict torture[…] • […]any fingerprints located[…] • […]a labelled sketch of the premises or place where torture has allegedly taken place must be made to scale, showing all relevant details[…] • […]colour photographs[…] • […]a record of the identity of all persons at the alleged scene[…] • […]an inventory of the clothing of the person alleging torture should be taken and tested at a laboratory[…] • […]determine whether [anyone present on the premises or in the area under investigation] were witness to the incidents of alleged torture • […][Save] any relevant papers, records or documents[…]for evidential use and 124 handwriting analysis.” ii. Medical evidence Medical evidence is important in the documentation of torture as it can add strong support to a victim’s statement and may even provide confirmatory evidence that a 29 person has been tortured. It is also critical to assess any treatment needs of the victim. It is therefore necessary for an investigator to arrange for a timely medical examination of the victim. This will often lead to the writing of a medical report containing the health professional’s findings, which may eventually be put before an administrative or judicial body. The health professional’s duty is to the court to provide an independent opinion on the allegations together with any corroborat125 ing medical evidence. They should not be employed by the detaining authority and should follow an established protocol when compiling their report. The report should include at least the following: • Circumstances of the interview: name of the subject and those present at the interview; exact time and date; location and nature of the institution where the examination is being conducted; any relevant factors at the time of the examination (e.g. nature of any restraints on arrival or during the examination, presence of security forces) • History: detailed record of the subject’s story as given during the interview, including alleged methods of torture or ill-treatment, times when torture or illtreatment is alleged to have occurred and all complaints of physical and psychological symptoms • Physical and psychological examination: record of all physical and psychological findings on clinical examination, including appropriate diagnostic tests and, where possible, colour photographs of all injuries • Opinion: interpretation as to the probable relationship of the physical and psychological findings to possible torture or ill-treatment. A recommendation for any necessary medical and psychological treatment and/or further examination shall be given • Authorship: the report should clearly