Introduction. The use of threats remains prevalentin law enforcement practices in manyparts of the world. In studies with torture survivors,credible and immediate threats havebeen considered a distinctly harmful methodof torture. Notwithstanding this prevalence,there is a considerable degree of difficulty inlegally substantiating and establishing harmsproduced by threatening acts. It is also generallydifficult to clearly identify the harmsthat go beyond the fear and stress inherent(therefore not unlawful) in law enforcementpractices. We present a Protocol on Medico-Legal Documentation of Threats. The aimof the Protocol is to improve documentationand assessment of harms so that stronger legalclaims can be submitted to local and internationalcomplaints mechanisms.Methods. The Protocol has been developedbased on a methodology initiated by the PublicCommittee against Torture in Israel (PCATI),REDRESS and the DIGNITY - Danish Instituteagainst Torture (DIGNITY) involving:compilation and review of health and legalknowledge on threats; initial drafting by thelead author; discussion among the members ofthe International Expert Group on PsychologicalTorture; pilot-testing in Ukraine by localNGO Forpost; adjustments were made accordingto the results of the pilot study.Results. We present the final Protocol anda Quick Interviewing Guide. This Protocol iscognisant of the significance of the specificsocial, cultural, and political contexts in whichthreats are made and might be subjected to adaptationsto specific contexts. We hope that itwill improve the documentation of threats asa torture method or as part of a torturing environment,as well as inform efforts on theirprevention more broadly.

Introduction. This Protocol originates froma joint project regarding documentation ofpsychological torture initiated by the PublicCommittee against Torture in Israel (PCATI),REDRESS and DIGNITY - Danish InstituteAgainst Torture (DIGNITY) in 2015 afterthe Copenhagen Conference on PsychologicalTorture. The project is a vehicle to establisha common understanding between healthand legal professions as to how to best ensurethe most accurate documentation of torture.The aim of the Protocol is to improve documentationof solitary confinement and thereforeto clarify the facts of the case so thatstronger legal claims can subsequently be submittedto local and international complaintsmechanisms. The Protocol has been developedbased on a methodology involving a compilationand review of legal and health knowledgeon solitary confinement and discussionsamong the authors and in a group of internationalexperts.Methods and Results. This Protocol iscognisant of the significance of the specificsocial, cultural and political contexts in whichsolitary confinement is used. We hope that thisProtocol will assist in the discussions betweenthe various stakeholders and provide guidanceon what can be documented and how to documenttorture.