Torture in custody, a case series that highlight typical patterns of injuries and behaviors

Torture in custody is a widespread and underreported phenomenon. Victims often present patterned injuries and behaviors, making medico-legal evaluation crucial for documenting abuse and assessing consistency with the reported events. We report 4 cases of individuals who were victims of torture in custody. Injuries predominantly included blunt-force trauma, with additional methods such as suspension, suffocation, sexual humiliation, and deprivation of food and water, confirming a recurring typical pattern regarding the types of injuries, instruments used, and body areas involved. These cases reflect typical patterns of injuries and behaviors associated with custodial torture, highlighting the importance of identifying and documenting findings consistent with the victim’s account and physical examination.