Chinese police have been banned from administering corporal punishment while collecting evidence in a revised regulation on the handling of administrative cases.

The revision, released on Friday by the Ministry of Public Security, aims to standardize investigation procedures of administrative cases.

The regulation features a provision that bans extorting confessions through illegal means, such as torture, violence or threats, saying evidence collected in these ways should be excluded from trials.

Police organs should use audio or video devices to record the evidence collection process or content if necessary, it stipulates.

Suspects' interrogation should be conducted in a venue with monitoring devices, and necessary food and time for rest should be ensured during the process, under the regulation.

Its revised form also standardizes the use of administrative compulsory measures by the police, such as property seizure or administrative detention.

It clarifies that family members of those whose personal freedom is restricted should be informed of the public security organ which imposes the penalty as well as the reason, location and duration of the forced measure.

The revised regulation took effect on Jan. 1, 2013.