New Zealand: procedures to keep complainants informed The Corrections Act 2004 established the Office of the Inspectorate for prisons as a dedicated inspection and complaints resolution body. The Inspectorate is headed by a Chief Inspector and has a team of inspectors. According to the established procedure if an inspector carries out an investigation into a complaint they will keep the complainant informed along the way and inform them of the outcome. If the person who complained is in prison, they will usually be kept up to date by email and/or telephone contact through prison management. Gathering and using medical evidence Medical evidence can play an important role, together with other evidence, in documenting torture or other ill-treatment. The ‘Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (The Istanbul Protocol)’ provides guidance on gathering and the use of medical evidence. It is a practical tool containing detailed information and useful templates to help document any physical or psychological evidence of torture and other ill-treatment. Among States, specific training on using the Istanbul Protocol has been provided to law enforcement officers, healthcare professionals, judges and others. In some States such training is provided by or in cooperation with professional bodies or civil society organisations. Although access to specialised personnel and equipment for forensic examinations may be limited in many States, other more commonly available measures such as a clinical examination, X-rays, blood tests, oral evidence, and photographs remain invaluable tools which can provide important information. In some States due to the shortage of healthcare professionals trained in forensic examinations, civil society organisations assist in providing the necessary expertise and training to document violations and assist victims. Guatemala: procedures and handbook adopted based on the Istanbul Protocol In November 2018, the National Institute of Forensic Sciences has adopted a number of procedures relating to the handling of suspected cases of torture, as well as a handbook on specialised psychological evaluations, which incorporate provisions of the Istanbul Protocol. The National Institute has also developed guidelines for the examination of victims of sexual assault. The guidelines are supplemented by appendices containing forms on informed consent for examinations and related procedures, and to document evidence. Kyrgyz Republic: partnership with civil society to improve the documentation of torture by healthcare professionals In response to a visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture in 2011, the Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Health, working together with other state entities and civil society organisations, initiated a project to train healthcare professionals and develop national clinical guidance for doctors based on the Istanbul Protocol. As part of this process of reform new, standardised medical forms have been developed for healthcare professionals to complete during their examinations to be able to document possible cases of torture and other ill-treatment. TOOL: Complaints and investigations 11/17