Editing Torture (section)

===Confession===
{{further|Forced confession}} 
Torture has been used throughout history to extract confessions from detainees. In 1764, Italian reformer [[Cesare Beccaria]] denounced torture as "a sure way to acquit robust scoundrels and to condemn weak but innocent people".{{sfn|Evans|2020|loc=History of Torture}}{{sfn|Wisnewski|2010|p=26}} Similar doubts about torture's effectiveness had been voiced for centuries previously, including by [[Aristotle]].{{sfn|Wisnewski|2010|pp=26–27}}{{sfn|Barnes|2017|p=40}} Despite the abolition of judicial torture, it sees continued use to elicit confessions, especially in judicial systems placing a high value on confessions in criminal matters.{{sfn|Hajjar|2013|p=22}}{{sfn|Einolf|2022|p=11}} The use of torture to force suspects to confess is facilitated by laws allowing extensive [[pre-trial detention]].{{sfn|Rejali|2009|pp=50–51}} Research has found that coercive interrogation is slightly more effective than [[cognitive interview]]ing for extracting a confession from a suspect, but presents a higher risk of false confession.{{sfn|Pérez-Sales|2016|p=327}} Many torture victims will say whatever the torturer wants to hear to end the torture.{{sfn|Hassner|2020|p=16}}{{sfn|Rejali|2009|pp=461–462}} Others who are guilty refuse to confess,{{sfn|Rejali|2009|p=362}} especially if they believe it would only bring more torture or punishment.{{sfn|Einolf|2022|p=11}} Medieval justice systems attempted to counteract the risk of false confession under torture by requiring confessors to provide [[Falsifiability|falsifiable]] details about the crime, and only allowing torture if there was already some evidence against the accused.{{sfn|Barnes|2017|p=28}}{{sfn|Beam|2020|p=394}} In some countries, political opponents are tortured to force them to confess publicly as a form of [[state propaganda]].{{sfn|Hajjar|2013|p=22}}