Conference on the immorality and ineffectiveness of torture

The Newcastle University Forensic Psychology Research Group (FPRG) are delighted to announce that we are hosting a one-day conference entitled, The immorality and ineffectiveness of physical and psychological torture, scheduled to take place on Friday 13th October 2017, from 9am to 6pm, at the Discovery Museum, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. 

This one day conference will include specialist talks from world renowned experts and will explore the emerging research re-shaping investigative and intelligence interviewing in a world where many believe enhanced torture techniques should be more widely used. There are many ethical and philosophical reasons to reject all forms of torture, not least because they breach a person's human rights, but also emerging scientific literature questions the effectiveness of such techniques for consistently eliciting accurate and reliable information. The conference will close with a discussion on the way forward in terms of collaborative research.

Guest speakers include: Professor Gisli Gudjonsson OBE, Kings College London, UK (an expert on false confessions, interrogative suggestibility and psychological vulnerabilities); Mark Fallon from the USA (a former U.S. Dept. of Defence Counter-terrorism Official and Senior Executive in the Dept. of Homeland Security, USA); Michel de Smedt (Director of the Investigation Division, Office of the Prosecutor, International Criminal Court, The Hague, The Netherlands); and Sam Hawke (Advocacy and Policy Officer, Liberty, London, UK). We will also have speakers from the Centre for Research in Evidence and Security Threats (CREST), Northumbria Police, Newcastle University, and the Norwegian Police University College.

The event is aimed at police and law enforcement officers, legal professionals working in the area of human rights, academic researchers, human rights professionals, and post-graduate students with a keen interest in the area. Refreshments and lunch will be provided on the day for a nominal fee of £20. A flyer with further details of the event is attached to this e-mail.

We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Gavin