1 CONTENTS FOREWORD ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 3 4 PART A THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION IN THE MEDICAL INVESTIGATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF TORTURE ALLEGATIONS 5 I II 5 6 The central role of the psychological evaluation The psychosocial consequences of torture PART B INTERVIEW – ETHICAL AND CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS 9 I Privacy II Safety and security III Trust IV Confidentiality and informed consent V Some dilemmas encountered during the interview process VI Interview VII Potential transference and counter-transference reactions VIII Factors leading to inconsistencies and difficulties in recalling and recounting the story of torture 9 10 10 11 11 13 14 PART C PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS FOR THE INVESTIGATIONS OF TORTURE ALLEGATIONS 17 I II 17 18 The objectives of the psychological evaluations Components of the psychological evaluations 15