A method of criminal examination heretofore in use in some of the countries of coutineutal Europe, consisting of the application of torture to the supposed criminal, by means of the rack or other engines, in order to extort from him, as the condition of his release from the torture, a confession of his own guilt or the names of his accomplices. In evidence. An interrogation put to a witness, for the purpose of having him declare the truth of certain facts as far as he inows them. In practice. A point on which the parties are not agreed, and which is submitted to the decision of a judge and jury.
