Forensic interviewing of witnesses in Portugal

In the past several years, many changes have occurred in Portuguese law and judicial proceedings concerning witnesses’ protection, particularly with regard to the way alleged victims’ statements are obtained. The Law no. 93/99 (Witness Protection Law (WPL)) addresses special measures to assure witnesses’ protection in cases where their involvement may endanger their life, emotional and physical integrity, and property. By approving this law, the legislator wanted to guarantee that witnesses would be less reticent to cooperate, and more likely to provide and maintain their statements in forthcoming judicial procedures. This law establishes and regulates measures such as identity secrecy, use of teleconferencing and digital recording, police protection, and special procedures for vulnerable witnesses (e.g. children).