Human Torture: Description and Sequelae of 104 Cases

We examined 104 torture victims, 99 of whom were from Chile. Most of our patients were young men who had been arrested for political reasons. All the patients had been beaten; other common methods of torture included the application of electricity, cigaret burns, forced physical activity resulting in exhaustion, threats of death, sham execution and isolation. The only signs specific to torture were picana (electrical burn scars) and scars from cigaret burns. The most common psychological sequelae were anxiety, insomnia and recurrent nightmares. Psychological symptoms were similar to those documented in other populations who have suffered severe trauma.