British police commence ground searches and digs in Praia da Luz.

[jassi]

Itn are now reporting that officers in forensic suits and masks have gone into the tent covering the hole

I'm starting to get a sense of dread here

Probably standard procedure these days.

[Victoria]

Itn are now reporting that officers in forensic suits and masks have gone into the tent covering the hole

I'm starting to get a sense of dread here

I wouldn't hold your breath. It's there so they have to check it thoroughly, that doesn't mean they will actually find anything.

[pegasus]

The photo of the corrugated sheet, wood, etc
That will be an old shed / small building fallen down long ago IMO.

[jassi]

The photo of the corrugated sheet, wood, etc
That will be an old shed / small building fallen down long ago IMO.

That might well be, but it doesn't mean that the materials couldn't have been used for concealment.

[pegasus]

IMO this area is mentioned in the files by two witnesses. But this analysis is based on what will appear to most to be nothing more than the mention of a hill and a sprinkle of faulty logic and so will probably be dismissed with an "oh that could be any hill, rubbish". I deduce it's likely to be the same hill. I doubt anyone will agree.
"...with a group searching ... on top of a hill"
(SOURCE: km statement 07 May)

[pegasus]

That might well be, but it doesn't mean that the materials couldn't have been used for concealment.

Precisely, where there was once a small building, there may be ready made depressions in the ground, and bits of wood and roofing sheets to place over disturbed ground.
There are many derelict or fallen buildings or old foundations on scrubland around the town.
It is unlikely to find anything at the current site IMO as I do not find a realistic theory of getting anything to there.

[pathfinder73]

[jassi]

Precisely, where there was once a small building, there may be ready made depressions in the ground, and bits of wood and roofing sheets to place over disturbed ground.
There are many derelict or fallen buildings or old foundations on scrubland around the town.
It is unlikely to find anything at the current site IMO as I do not find a realistic theory of getting anything to there.

I think we simply need to wait and see.
They found this site pretty quickly, so it's possible that they had pointers to it.
I see no point in rubbishing their efforts before they have completed this stage of the investigation, even though we may not hear details of anything they may find .

[John]

A British expat whose property overlooks the site was interviewed on Sky yesterday and he was well aware of the old tin.  Apparently it covered an old disused farmers well, the perfect place to hide remains.  As many posters have noted, the ground in Portugal is like concrete, very difficult to excavate even with the proper tools.  A deep ready made hole in the ground would seem to be the perfect solution for someone wishing to dispose of remains, it is unlikely that the police would ever investigate it properly due to the huge costs involved.  Many of these holes are also used to dispose of dead goats/sheep and just about every pet you can think of.

[pegasus]

A British expat whose property overlooks the site was interviewed on Sky yesterday and he was well aware of the old tin.  Apparently it covered an old disused farmers well, the perfect place to hide remains.  As many poster have noted the ground in Portugal is like concrete, very difficult to excavate even with the proper tools.  A ready made hole in the ground would seem to be the perfect solution.

Thanks, interesting. There are probably several old wells on the site (cabbages like a drink). And as you say, in hard ground, a ready made deep hole is an appealing prospect for anyone wishing to conceal anything. And luckily the team has two pieces of specialised equipment which are capable of checking a well, from the top.

[jassi]

Indeed. No need to be scrabbling around trying to dig a hole with bare hands.

[pegasus]

Indeed. No need to be scrabbling around trying to dig a hole with bare hands.

So searching a site like this, whether to hide something, or to find where someone has hidden something, is to some extent a search for pre-made holes. The other thing that is relevant IMO is vegetation density and height. A pre-existing hole which has dense tall vegetation growing over and all around it would be the best place because there a concealor is concealed while concealing.

[John]

So searching a site like this, whether to hide something, or to find where someone has hidden something, is to some extent a search for pre-made holes. The other thing that is relevant IMO is vegetation density and height. A pre-existing hole which has dense tall vegetation growing over and all around it would be the best place because there a concealor is concealed while concealing.

Yes and where do you find the tallest grasses?  Near a good underground water source.

[jassi]

It would have to have been findable in the first instance, so perhaps not such dense vegetation at the time of concealment - if there was any concealment, that is.

[patb]

Any idea what the grey pegs are that have been inserted inot the ground around the hole? In anticipation of a tent to cover the area?