Documentation of torture and ill-treatment in Mexico: A review of medical forensic investigations, 2000 to 2002

Torture and ill-treatment are reportedly widespread in Mexico. Little is known, however, about the quality of forensic investigations and documentation of evidence of these human rights violations. To determine the integrity of the documentation and the presence, quality, and frequency of both physical and psychological evaluations, analyses were conducted on 103 medical evaluations identified in 33 cases of alleged torture and/or ill-treatment that the Mexican National Commission for Human Rights (CNDH) investigated between January 2000 and July 2002. Findings suggest that forensic medical evaluations in CNDH cases have been conducted promptly after alleged occurrences of torture and/or ill-treatment, and the results of such evaluations have often been introduced as evidence in legal investigations. Inadequate documentation in most forensic medical evaluations reinforces the need for effective training, monitoring, and accountability strategies.