PART C – Psychological evaluations for the investigations of torture ... The history of torture and ill treatment should include: Summary of detention and abuse Before obtaining a detailed account of events, elicit summary information, including dates, places, duration of detention, frequency and duration of torture sessions Circumstances of Apprehension What time, from where, by whom (with details, if possible); other persons around witnesses/bystanders; interaction with family members; violence/threats used during the apprehension; use of restraints or blindfold Place and conditions of detention What happened first, where, any identification process, transportation, distinctive features; other procedures; condition of the cell/ room; size/dimensions, ventilation, lighting, temperature, toilet facilities, food; contact with third persons (family members, lawyer, 2. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGICAL COMPLAINTS Assessment of current psychologial functioning constitues the core of the evaluation: • All affective, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms that appeared since the 19 health professionals); conditions of overcrowding or solitary confinement, etc. Methods of torture and ill-treatment • Assessment of background: Where, when, how long, by whom; special features of the environment, perpetrators, devices/instruments; usual “routine” sequences and other information • For each form of abuse; body position, restraint, nature of contact, duration, frequency, anatomical location, the area of the body affected and how and other information • Sexual assaults • Deprivations (sleep, food, toilet facilities, sensory stimulation, human contact, motor activities); threats, humiliations, violations of taboos, behavioural coercions and other methods • Previous medico-legal reporting process (if any). (For more information see chapter IV, sections E, F and G in the Istanbul Protocol.) torture should be described. For each symptom; first emergence, duration, intensity, frequency, content, fluctuation should be asked and recorded with examples and all details • Adaptative and maladaptive strategies and triggers such as anniversary reactions, specific stimuli or places, situations and topics causing avoidance