Madeleine McCann

[Daggers]

Well as he spent his life investigating murders and such, he's probably got a bit more knowlegde on the subject than the rest of us!

No.

He has more experience than you of being a policeman - he has the same knowledge as you on the disappearance of the girl seeing as you both garner it from newspapers.

[Nationwider]

And to have a body lying about for 25 days in the heat of Portugal - it would smell pretty putrid. Difficult to hide that when the world's press are constantly around...

I would think the putrid stench of the British tabloid press would block out the smell of even the most decayed of bodies.

[l444ry]

And to have a body lying about for 25 days in the heat of Portugal - it would smell pretty putrid. Difficult to hide that when the world's press are constantly around...

Why assume 25 days? The body could have been moved even before the "kidnapping" was reported. Also, there were many days after the story broke when Robert Murat was the only official suspect. The worlds media were hounding him all day and night. It might have been moved then also.

[Zingari]

Why assume 25 days? The body could have been moved even before the "kidnapping" was reported. Also, there were many days after the story broke when Robert Murat was the only official suspect. The worlds media were hounding him all day and night. It might have been moved then also.

very true ; this story may become one of those "lord lucan" type mysteries , whereby the whole truth is never fully revealed

ps l444ry ; can you explain your username in the thread about them ( my guess is it is a vehicle registration number with one letter missing

[l444ry]

very true ; this story may become one of those "lord lucan" type mysteries , whereby the whole truth is never fully revealed

ps l444ry ; can you explain your username in the thread about them ( my guess is it is a vehicle registration number with one letter missing

Correct. You are Foxestalk's answer to Hercule Poirot. You have won a years supply of Belgian chocolates. Must put you right on Lord Lucan though. He was reliably spotted on Atlantis riding Shergar.

Edited 15 September 2007 by l444ry

[Yaxx]

Had a patient in today who was a former member of the C.I.D., our nurse asked him about the Maddie case. His personal opinion is that the parents are involved and if it was in Britain they'd "be in the clink" by now!!

Probably why he's a former member of the CID.

[Rincewind]

Are you a psychiatrist then?

I would guess that at the start of each casr he worked on he knew virtually noyhing. As a investigating police officer he would then be privilaged to information that the general public were not entitled to know about. As he was a former CID worker he would now be relegated to general public status.

General public status would comprise of;

Seeing, hearing and reading reports from the media.

Noticing the way the parents dress.

Noticing the way the parents speak.

Noticing the class status of the parents.

The religion of the parents.

The high quality of the Portugese police,

The low quality of the Portugese police

Gut feeling

From the above Joe Public can solve the case.

Edited 16 September 2007 by Nightguard

[Guest]

Am I the only person who is more than a little bored by all this?

Sorry if that offends anyone, but I'm suffering from media overexposure, and it does not stop me from hoping that the child is alive and well still.

[davieG]

Am I the only person who is more than a little bored by all this?

Sorry if that offends anyone, but I'm suffering from media overexposure, and it does not stop me from hoping that the child is alive and well still.

I've purposely ignore the media exposure from the beginning, in fact I think this thread is pretty much all I read, except for headlines which are unavoidable. I doubt there's been more than a line or two of actual facts printed/spoken in all of it.

I don't like the ribbon idea, I don't like the funding idea, unless it had been done for ALL missing children. Nothing would cheer me more than to see her safe return, if she is still alive I think the fact that she's still out there demonstrates that none of it has proved useful or fruitful even if well meant.

[DB11]

I've purposely ignore the media exposure from the beginning, in fact I think this thread is pretty much all I read, except for headlines which are unavoidable. I doubt there's been more than a line or two of actual facts printed/spoken in all of it.

The only fact everyone knows is that she is missing tbh...

I don't like the ribbon idea, I don't like the funding idea, unless it had been done for ALL missing children. Nothing would cheer me more than to see her safe return, if she is still alive I think the fact that she's still out there demonstrates that none of it has proved useful or fruitful even if well meant.

It should really. I mean Madeleine isn't the only missing child in the world at the minute

[Webbo]

I don't like the ribbon idea, I don't like the funding idea, unless it had been done for ALL missing children. Nothing would cheer me more than to see her safe return, if she is still alive I think the fact that she's still out there demonstrates that none of it has proved useful or fruitful even if well meant.

To me that was all about being seem to care rather than actually caring. Too many people in this country want to be seen crying their eyes out over a total stranger whilst at the same time treating their own children/family/neighbours with contempt or indifference.

Edited 16 September 2007 by futter

[Yaxx]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6693091.stm - shows British officers were there almost from the beginning.

Unless, of course, you want to shoot the messenger again, Yaxx.

Unfortunately you're rather misinformed again. Yes Leicestershire police were involved early on, and continue to be so, but primarily in a family liason capacity. Specialist scenes of crime officers did fly out and take samples, allegedly from the McCanns apartment, and yes a specialist dog team also helped out, as have the Forensic Science Service. However, to suggest that british police are, or have been, actively assisting in the investigation is plain wrong. Indeed, Portugese police recently turned down an offer by the Metropolitan Police to send out senior homicide detectives to review the case.

[Head Honcho]

I would think the putrid stench of the British tabloid press would block out the smell of even the most decayed of bodies.

[Yaxx]

You can't say "...comments reflect the ... general lack of understanding that has become such a big part of this case" without including yourself.

What gives you a greater insight into the machinations of the Portuguese police that has managed to fly by the rest of the observing world? This, of course, is rhetorical as neither you, me nor anyone else not involved in the process has any idea what went on.

Oh really? Perhaps I know rather more about this case than you think!

The 'general lack of understanding' to which I was referring was in relation to the alleged forensic evidence. For instance, DNA analysis is far more complex than people are being led to believe and, quite frankly, most of what's been written in the media is utter nonsense. But of course, it's wild speculation and sensationalism that sell newspapers, not the truth.

[Asha]

Oh really? Perhaps I know rather more about this case than you think!

The 'general lack of understanding' to which I was referring was in relation to the alleged forensic evidence. For instance, DNA analysis is far more complex than people are being led to believe and, quite frankly, most of what's been written in the media is utter nonsense. But of course, it's wild speculation and sensationalism that sell newspapers, not the truth.

Plus a memorable page three.

[l444ry]

Unfortunately you're rather misinformed again. Yes Leicestershire police were involved early on, and continue to be so, but primarily in a family liason capacity. Specialist scenes of crime officers did fly out and take samples, allegedly from the McCanns apartment, and yes a specialist dog team also helped out, as have the Forensic Science Service. However, to suggest that british police are, or have been, actively assisting in the investigation is plain wrong. Indeed, Portugese police recently turned down an offer by the Metropolitan Police to send out senior homicide detectives to review the case.

I stand corrected then, Yaxx. Silly old me! And there's me thinking that crime officers taking samples as well as dog and forensic teams helping out was being actively involved.

[Hullfox]

Oh really? Perhaps I know rather more about this case than you think!

Someone's stolen my bicycle.

Get me Inspector Yaxx of The Yard on the line.

[JoeyB]

Branson's fund for McCann lawyers

Tycoon Sir Richard Branson is giving £100,000 to a fund to assist Kate and Gerry McCann with their legal costs.

His spokeswoman said: "He wants to give them a chance to have a fair hearing."

The McCanns, from Leicestershire, have been named suspects in the inquiry into the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine in Portugal on 3 May.

They are being advised by Michael Caplan QC, who fought efforts to extradite General Pinochet. Sir Richard is asking other rich people to donate.

"Over the last few weeks Richard has been watching events as they have unfolded," said his spokeswoman.

"There is a whole family involved here. When the McCanns made it known that under no circumstances would they touch the Find Madeleine fund, and discussed selling their house, Richard felt something had to be done."

Sir Richard is a father himself and the most important thing for him is that a four-year-old girl is missing, the spokeswoman added.

"If he can help a little bit to take the burden off the family and extended family in this small way, then that's all to the good."

Obviously he thinks there innocent!

Link (on bbc)

[Head Honcho]

Obviously he thinks there innocent!

Link (on bbc)

I don't doubt his generosity but when can all the other families with missing children (you know the ones not in the media's eye) expect their cheques?

[Alexikokopops]

I don't doubt his generosity but when can all the other families with missing children (you know the ones not in the media's eye) expect their cheques?

Once again I'm agreeing with you.

To quote Meat Loaf two out of three ain't bad.

[Yaxx]

Someone's stolen my bicycle.

Get me Inspector Yaxx of The Yard on the line.

Ah you jest, but I can assure you that there's a lot more going on behind the scenes than you realise.

[Yaxx]

I stand corrected then, Yaxx. Silly old me! And there's me thinking that crime officers taking samples as well as dog and forensic teams helping out was being actively involved.

Ok, let me be more specific. Neither Leicestershire police, nor any other british police force, has been actively involved in the day to day running of the investigation.

[Nationwider]

Ok, let me be more specific. Neither Leicestershire police, nor any other british police force, has been actively involved in the day to day running of the investigation.

Out of curiosity, and apologies if you've already stated this, but are you:

1. a journo

2. a copper

3. a lawyer

4. an interested observer

5. a friend or relative of the McCanns, or other

6. Robert Murat

and are you

A. Party to inside information, or

B. Just having a punt at what's going on

Just so we know where to place you, as you're interesting, yet BartonFox-esque in your vagueness...

[Hullfox]

Ah you jest, but I can assure you that there's a lot more going on behind the scenes than you realise.

Yes you're right. For some unknown reason, the perpetrators left the right pedal standing upright inside a biscuit tin. How on earth did you know?

[syston_fox]

Ive just got back from Portugal and if anything, the media coverage was even bigger over there. The main stories on all the news stations was of the McCanns and it was in all the papers (second only to Scolari punching a serbia player on wednesday night). It's surreal hearing all the portugese and then the word "Rothley" thrown in every now and then!