Before authorizing any witness to enter the Witness Security Program, OEO will arrange for psychological testing and evaluation for each prospective witness and all adult (18 years of age and older) members of the witness's household that are also to be protected. This testing will, to the extent possible, determine if the individuals may present a danger to their relocation communities. Because the reports of the psychologists may contain information that is discoverable as potentially exculpatory Brady material in the criminal prosecution in which the witness is to testify, all materials submitted by the psychologists will be forwarded by OEO to the appropriate United States Attorney's Office (USAO) for review.

Before undergoing psychological evaluation, the witness must sign a release form authorizing the Department to use the results of the psychological evaluation to the extent necessary in connection with the witness's application for acceptance into the Program or for other lawful uses. The release form is available to Department attorneys. It is the responsibility of the sponsoring prosecutor or agent to have the witness sign the form prior to the evaluation.

[updated January 2020]