The article presents a review of empirical research conducted on the recognition of torture in the Federal District, from 2011 to 2020. In a first step, we present data from reports of international organizations and non-governmental organizations and consultations with the "Dial 100" service of the Secretariat of Human Rights of the Presidency of the Republic, which allow the identification of the profile of reports of torture in Brazil and, more specifically, in the Federal District. In the second stage, a profile of the cases of torture actually tried by the Court of Justice of the Federal District and Territories was prepared for the same period. Finally, the distance between the profile of torture reported to international organizations, non-governmental organizations and the "Dial 100" service and the profile of torture actually prosecuted, tried and convicted within the criminal justice system was highlighted, evidencing the institutional gaps between the news of torture, through the channels available to society, and the recognition of this conduct as a crime. The methodologies used are quantitative, especially flow research. In conclusion, the possibilities of reinforcement are raised in order to face the problem of torture in the Federal District as a matter of public security and as a deep democratic deficit.