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Kate and Gerry McCann were not told of possible breakthrough



Portuguese police have failed to tell the parents of missing Madeleine McCann about a possible forensic breakthrough that could end their agonising wait to learn what happened to their daughter.

Kate and Gerry McCann only heard about the apparent development after a newspaper report that tests at a British laboratory had produced "significant new information".

Experts at the Forensic Science Service (FSS) in Birmingham have spent the past month analysing samples taken from the McCanns' holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz.

The evidence recovered from the flat includes blood flecks found by British sniffer dogs on the wall in Madeleine's bedroom, where she vanished on May 3.

The London Evening Standard reported that the FSS tests had produced findings which were "likely to trigger action" - possibly including arrests - within days.

Portuguese Police would not officially confirm this, but a source said information from the laboratory had been "regularly fed back" to detectives.

A family friend said Portuguese police did not tell the McCanns that tests had been returned before the Evening Standard hit news stands.

It is understood that the news was "unexpected" for the couple, although they have been awaiting the test results for a long time.

Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa, spokesman for Portugal's Policia Judiciaria (PJ), who are leading the investigation, would not confirm the Evening Standard report.

Mr Sousa added that all lines of inquiry were still being pursued, but the theory that Madeleine is dead is now being given "special attention

http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hV9S1nkE8TyTSpRT-lOZWKgNpS8w

I thought I read that the blood wasnt connected to the Madeleine case. It gets more confusing.

I think Romany that was a few weeks ago and was a reporter jumping the gun.

This (above) is a UK press association release from what I can gather.

The Portugese police remain tight lipped. But it's appearing on Sky news as breaking news (not that they are that reliable) but it shows something is moving in this case.

I still hope for good news. Though I have hardened myself for the worst.xx

Thats awful. If it is true, then theres no hope of her being reunited with her family, poor little soul.

Just found this from the times online




Police gain samples from Madeleine apartment

Madeleine McCann, who went missing on May 3 from a holiday apartment in the Algarve

Steve Bird
Forensic test results on samples taken from the apartment where Madeleine McCann vanished have been returned to Portuguese police, it emerged today.

It is believed that the findings have produced significant new information in the investigation into the disappearance of the four-year-old girl.

The results, which have not been made public, could lead to a series of arrests and may help to establish what actually happened on the night she went missing.

Experts at the Forensic Science Service (FSS), in Birmingham, have spent the past month analysing samples taken from the McCanns’ holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz.

The evidence recovered from the flat includes blood flecks found by British sniffer dogs on the wall in Madeleine’s bedroom.

While scientific analysis of the samples is ongoing, it is understood that a number of initial findings have now been disclosed to the police.

The tests attempted to trace the presence of Madeleine’s blood, saliva and hair. But they have also tried to establish whether anyone else was present in the room on the night of May 3.

However, it is thought that the possibility of clear results would be a “difficult task” because the apartment may have become contaminated after it was let out following the girl’s disappearance.

The latest development has soured relations between the girl’s parents and the Portuguese police after it emerged they found out about the forensic development from a newspaper.

A friend of Gerry and Kate McCann, both 39, said: “If you were the parents of a missing child, you would expect that the police would let you know.

“They used to have a good working relationship with the police, but this is bound to affect it.”

A spokeswoman for the family, from Leicester, added: “If this takes the investigation a step closer to establishing exactly what happened on May 3, they would be relieved.

“They want to know what happened to their daughter and to be reunited with her.”

A police source said the UK laboratory had “regularly fed back” progress to the Portuguese detectives and Leicestershire Police.

Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa, spokesman for Portugal’s Policia Judiciaria (PJ) who are leading the investigation, refused to confirm reports about the results.

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He said: “The information is that the results haven’t arrived yet, but it might be they arrived during the day.”

Mr Sousa added that all lines of inquiry were still being pursued, but the theory that Madeleine is dead is now being given “special attention”.

“The lines are the same since the beginning - they are all open,” he said.

“We said the results are important for one of the lines, the one that considers the hypothesis of the little girl being dead.

“At this moment we are taking special attention on the hypothesis of death.”

A source linked to the investigation said any developments made by the FSS were immediately passed to police, who would then communicate it to PJ investigators.

“Information has been regularly fed back as to the progress and where the investigation is up to,” he said.

“Information is always being fed back which Leicestershire police then pass on to the Portuguese authorities.

“The Portuguese are leading on the investigation and they have to be the ones to act on any information.

“On any important case, as soon as any progress is made the information is passed on. On something so important, any information would not be sat on - it is always being fed back.

The couple have remained in the resort since their daughter’s disappearance.

It is understood that the news was “unexpected” for the couple, although they have been awaiting the test results for a long time.




Romany I agree not looking good ;0(

Simply awful Muffy usually the british forensics are pretty damn hot on stuff like this so the results must mean something-very weird though how the parent if the press are to be believed have not been informed.

catherine
xx

Catherine until I find out what became of that little girl I will still be woken up with night frights worrying about her. I think the fact that she's the same age as my youngest has really affected me.

It does all seem very odd. I hope there is an outcome soon. xx

yes I agree with you
catherine
xx

it's so frustrating though that you almost feel as if it's forgotten- the story. this child has to be somewhere surely-sweet jesus for me saying it either dead or alive. and I pray it's the latter.

I hope to god she's still alive Catherine. I think we all do. But it's not looking too good at the mo. Only thing to do is hope for a miracle. I know I am xx

Don't usually nudge me own threads. But this one is important to me at least. xx

This little girl is always in my thoughtsxx


**edited because my original choice of words weren't appropriate xx

The BBC news reported that the test results had been completed but had not yet reached the police in Portugal.

ITV are reporting the newspaper story, alleging the results have been given to the Portuguese police and the parents have not been notified.

How are we supposed tp know what is true and what is speculation/fiction?

The BBC referred to forensic evidence, which INCLUDED blood specks, rather than blood specks alone.

Jay

Jay

The way I read it (which may well be totally wrong lol) is that the blood specks and the DNA are two totally different aspects of the case.

I have never attached much significance to the blood. Could've come from anywhere. But the other forensics were sourced from numerous places.Here in I think lies the answers.

I don't have a bleedy clue what the answer is to be honest. I have few theories but none that hold any water due to lack of info - hence I keep them to myself.

The blood though I think is a bit of a red herring. I could be wrong though xx

I am very sorry but i think they are still clutching at straws.Muffy know how you feel.When James Bulger went missing and the Dunblane killings,they were all the same age as my daughter.I felt as if they belonged to me.I Wished they were still here. Annie

Annie any crime against children just feels so wrong I know what you are saying totally.

WHY do people do it?

I want them round up and suitably punished. Leave em in a room with mothers and let them choose the punishment. I'm not a violent person. But I could make an exception or two xx

I have always assumed that the forensic evidence would include not only DNA, but also hairs, fibres, dust etc taken from a range of places, including cars, rather than just blood.
However, press speculation seems to focus purely on blood.

It is a holiday apartment - blood specks could have come from anyone (including staff) who had a nose bleed, cut their finger, grazed their knee etc etc. I too think the blood could well turn out to be a red herring.

I sincerely hope for Maddie's sake that we do eventually find out just what happened.

I too have my own theories, but I keep those to myself. The only thing we do know for certain is that she was no longer in her bed in the apartment. The rest is speculation.

jay

BBC states that Kate is going to be interviewed today with her lawyer present as a witness.

Talk about conflicting reports!

Sue

it doesn't look very good does it ?

julia

I would love to think Maddie is still alive, but I dont think she is. I hate to say it, but I do believe she died that night. I wont add my theory on here, but I do hope there is a conclusion to this story soon and that the person or persons responsible are brought to justice.

Shirley

And what "news" might there be now ?

thanks muffy,my heart goes out to the little girl.but i think we all share one thing,we all want closure.xx

robin read above.:))