Investigations of Torture Allegations by the Forensic Psychologist

Abstract

The problem of defining torture is raised and some of the reasons for its use enumerated. Torture may be committed at four levels of nil legality, relating to domestic and international law and the attitude of the legislature and law enforcement agencies. The work of the forensic psychologist as it relates to the investigation of allegations of torture is then described, with special reference to studies in post-war Germany and post-war Korea. In this work, the forensic psychologist follows a similar pattern and sequence of investigation to that adopted by the forensic pathologist and some examples, drawn from the personal experience of the author and his colleague, are provided. Mention is finally made of alternatives to torture which rely on non-noxious psychological processes.