Possible origins Third degree (interrogation)

^ darius m. rejali (2007). torture , democracy. princeton university press. isbn 0-691-11422-6. phrase coined major richard sylvester of washington ... 
^ cite error: named reference above invoked never defined (see page).
^ ken alder (2007). lie detectors. simon & schuster. isbn 0-7432-5988-2. thomas byrnes, new york s notorious cop, said have coined term third degree —perhaps pun on name—for violent interrogations… 
^ degrees of torture used spanish inquisition have been described julius glarus in following terms: know therefore there 5 degrees of torture, viz: first, being threatened tortured. secondly, being carried place of torture. thirdly, stripping , binding. fourthly, being hoisted on rack. fifthly, squassation. these degrees of torture famous third degree on there has been controversy in press recently.

john swain, pleasures of torture chamber, 1931

the third degree method of torturing prisoner or suspect confessing or answering questions or giving information based on method used spanish inquisition , is, generally, war of nerves on victim, followed many times brute force @ end of truncheon, deliberate starvation, deprivation of drink, exercise, sleep , amenities perform natural functions.

edwin j. henri, methods of torture , execution, 1966

^ odifreddi, piergiorgio (c. 2000). l intuizione al potere . logica matematica. episode 14. nettuno (rai).  translation of relevant passage (13:03-13:22): next problem, however, equations of third degree, complicated problem. , in fact, today people s giving me third degree , or when go police station , arrested, police give third degree . why expression third degree ? third degree derives right here, fact third-degree equation difficult solve.