CAT/C/75 page 30 flagrante delicto, to the point that criminal proceedings have been brought on the planted evidence rather than for the offence that was supposed to be investigated. Although reports of torture have decreased, it continues to be used as a police investigation technique; obviously confessions obtained through such illegal means have no validity in the proceedings, in conformity with recent constitutional and legal reforms, but torture is used as a means of obtaining information.”23 140. In many cases the family is told that the person is not being detained or detainees are prevented from contacting their families to tell them they are being detained. Several interviewees said that, while they were detained in their homes, those responsible had ill-treated members of their families. Several also stated that their detention had been accompanied by the theft or destruction of their own or their families’ belongings. 141. The Committee members also learned of cases of persons who disappeared after being violently detained in the presence of witnesses and under circumstances which suggest that they might have been tortured. Among the cases on which information was received are those of Faustino Jiménez Alvarez, who disappeared after being detained by members of the Guerrero judicial police on 17 June 2001 in Tierra Colorada; and Jerónimo Gómez López, who was detained by members of the municipal police on 27 December 2000 in Simojovel de Allende, Chiapas. The members also learned of people who had died in detention and whose corpses bore signs of torture, such as the cases referred to in paragraphs 90 and 107. 142. Torture may be inflicted on police premises but it is not uncommon for detainees to be taken to deserted spots, to “houses” whose whereabouts alleged victims cannot identify because they were taken to them blindfolded, or to river banks where they are threatened with being thrown in. Many said that they had been beaten inside police vehicles. Torture methods 143. Detainees’ hands are frequently tied behind their back and their arms pulled backwards; their feet are also tied together and their eyes blindfolded. They are also frequently deprived of sleep, food and water and prevented from using the bathroom. Several interviewees said they had been taken to a river bank and threatened with drowning if they did not confess. Mention was also made of mock executions with firearms pointed at the head or fired near the ears, and of electric shocks, frequently after wetting the victim. 144. Threats, including threats of harm to family members, were mentioned in nearly all cases, as were blows to various parts of the body, including the ears, with fists, police weapons or truncheons, either at the time of detention or repeatedly over several hours or even days, which in many cases leave marks. There are also frequent reports of plastic bags being placed over the head and tightened around the neck to cause a sensation of asphyxiation, sometimes repeatedly, and of water, often containing irritants such as carbonic acid or chilli powder, being poured into the mouth and/or nose while pressure is applied to the victim’s stomach. The culprits also frequently jump on their victims when they are on the ground and throttle them to cause a feeling of asphyxiation.