2 The Forensic Examination Team The team should consist of independent professionals with recognised competence in the investigation and documentation of torture. They should be experienced and trained in dealing with people who are seriously affected by traumatic events. Empathy is a paramount condition for anyone working with victims of torture7. When selecting the team members, the focus should placed first on the needs and well-being of the alleged torture victim and his/her family. The team should match as well as possible with the expertise required in the case, and normally would consist of a psychologist/psychiatrist and a medical doctor/forensic expert. Despite the fact that some experienced forensic experts have developed the competence to carry out both physical and psychological evaluations, having a separate and experienced psychologist or psychiatrist on forensic documentation of torture in the team should be a priority for the team composition. Other required specialists may be added (e.g. nutritionist, gynaecologist, lawyer, etc.). Furthermore, consideration should be given to the general profile of the team members to make sure that this is appropriate for the particular case (e.g. nationality, cultural background, religion, language skills). The gender of the team members should also be taken into account, especially 12 in the case of claims of sexual abuse. Females alleging torture should, if at all possible, be seen by female examiners and interpreters, at least in the first instance. In many cultures, women are unwilling to disclose details of illtreatment in front of a man, so the account will be incomplete8. If this is not possible, a third person of the same sex as the alleged victim should be present during the examination. Team members may come from different countries, work in different forensic settings, have different experiences, and have different mother tongues. It is important that they equally understand the purpose of the mission and have a shared understanding that they can communicate in one language. One member of the team should be appointed as the team leader and should be the focal point for communication Depending on circumstances the team may be complemented with local staff, including health professionals, who may hold crucial knowledge in relation to methods of torture, local norms, etc. However, care should be taken that the inclusion of local professionals in the team does not compromise their security (see 5e). In addition, the team may consider seeking consultations with local experts (see Chapter 6).