Can police beat a confession out of a suspect?

The amount of force allowed by an officer during interrogation varies by country.

In the United States, interviewees are protected by the 8th amendment. The 8th states: "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."

There is an extended definition of what cruel and unusual punishments are. Beatings are covered by the section that states: The "essential predicate" is "that a punishment must not by its severity be degrading to human dignity," especially torture.