Let's understand how interrogation works and what "torture" does.

Most people tell more for fear of what is going to happen to them than to stop what is occurring to them. Persons actually "tortured" will say anything, agree to anything, and thus are rarely credible. However, those in proximity of persons being "tortured" often get stressed out due to anticipation, and the goal is to get them to sing like canaries. It is an effective technique when targeted towards persons considered psychologically vulnerable and physically weak.

So, what we have is another situation where people unskilled in intelligence activities, and basing their knowledge on what they've "learned" via Christie and Fleming novels, condemn how the business of information gathering and corroboration is conducted.

The real world is a tough place, yet many still view it through rose-colored spectacles from their protected towers.