Could an intruder have opened the shutter and climbed in the window?

[icabodcrane]

The five experts who considered all scenarios on Dispatches made no mention of  who's  fingerprints were on the shutters  ...  they merely pointed out that forensicly they were positioned in a way that suggested they were opened from the inside

With regard to the possible abductor scenario, they concluded that any abductor would have entered and exited through the unlocked patio doors,  and made their escape down the alleyway in front of the patio,  and from there,  cut back up another alleyway that would lead to a waiting car in the car park outside the McCann's apartment

In this simple and perfectly feasable scenario there would be no  eyewitnesses ...  and no  open window

Yet both elements were introduced

[Carana]

The five experts who considered all scenarios on Dispatches made no mention of  who's  fingerprints were on the shutters  ...  they merely pointed out that forensicly they were positioned in a way that suggested they were opened from the inside

With regard to the possible abductor scenario, they concluded that any abductor would have entered and exited through the unlocked patio doors,  and made their escape down the alleyway in front of the patio,  and from there,  cut back up another alleyway that would lead to a waiting car in the car park outside the McCann's apartment

In this simple and perfectly feasable scenario there would be no  eyewitnesses ...  and no  open window

Yet both elements were introduced

I've never understood where the idea came from that they were forensically in any particular position. The report below seems to be all that was said about them.

The report mentions 5 fingerprints, but the photo only shows 4.

I don't recall finding anything about testing for fingerprints on the outside of the window...





04-PROCESSO 4 - 884 to 885

WITH THANKS ALBYM / INES
04_VOLUME_IVa_Page_884
04_VOLUME_IVa_Page_884a

 

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

POLICIA JUDICIARIA

PORTIMAO CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT

 

Finger Print Inspection by Technical Police Team

 

 

 

Reg No 129/07

 

Assistant Specialist: Joao Barreiras

 

 

Policia Judiciaria

Portimao Criminal Investigation Department

Legal Identification Cabinet

 

 

At 01 time on 04-05-07, I , Joao Barreiras, Assistant Specialist, proceeded to inspect the location described below.

 

Signature

 

Crime: Disappearance of Child

 

Time:

Date: 03-04-2007 (sic)

Occurrence: About 22H00

 

Location:

Region: Lagos

Street or Place: Ocean Club Resort, Block 5, apartment 5A

Nature: Residence

 

NUIPC 201/07.0 OGALGS

 

Person Offended:

NAME MADELEINE MCCANN

 

VESTIGES COLLECTED

5….. Fingerprints….Inside interior window of the children’s bedroom…..DBT…..Suf

 

1. Methodology and means of operation:

2. Established number of supposed authors:

3. Abandoned objects:

4. Objects or values that were the target of the crime:

5. Importance of the damage incurred:
 
Observations: The fingerprint traces collected are identified as being the middle finger of the left hand (3x) and forefinger of the left hand (2x), of the missing girl’s mother,
The fingerprint inspection was only carried out on the inside of the window because it was night time, the location was sealed and preserved so that light conditions would permit the inspection of the residence to be finalised.
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(The mistake concerning the middle finger has now been corrected. Thank you to whoever did that).


On entry/exit via the patio doors...

Possible, but there was the risk of one of the group noticing. The other issue is whether an abductor bother to close the gates.

[John]

It is usually the simplest explanations which are in the end found to be the most reliable.  Kate claimed that she never opened the window but never denied closing it.

[AnneGuedes]

It is usually the simplest explanations which are in the end found to be the most reliable.  Kate claimed that she never opened the window but never denied closing it.

The forensic analysis of the finger prints positions suggests opening.

[Mrs. B]

Says who? The window opening expert? Normal people put their hand on the windows in exactly the same position whether you open or close them.

[AnneGuedes]

Says who? The window opening expert? Normal people put their hand on the windows in exactly the same position whether you open or close them.

Mocking again, Mrs B !
"Normal" people hold the handle or put their fingers in the cavity (sorry I don't know the word for it) to open or close a window. I do that, actually force me to do that, because I hate cleaning windows.
Yes, those who put their fingers on a window adopt the same position whether they intend to close or to open the window. I guess the expert can notice the slight gliding of the fingers due to the movement in a way or the other (I might be wrong).

[Carana]

The forensic analysis of the finger prints positions suggests opening.

Where is this stated in the files? I posted the only document that I'd found on the subject further up. Have you found anything more?

[Mrs. B]

os dedos medio da mao esquerda (3x) e dedo indicador da mao esquerda (2x).

The middle and indicator FINGERS of Kate's left hand; not her whole left hand.

Is that how people open windows, is it? With the use of only TWO fingers? The only thing that means is TOUCHING the window, not opening it OR closing it.

[AnneGuedes]

os dedos medio da mao esquerda (3x) e dedo indicador da mao esquerda (2x).

The middle and indicator FINGERS of Kate's left hand; not her whole left hand.

Is that how people open windows, is it? With the use of only TWO fingers? The only thing that means is TOUCHING the window, not opening it OR closing it.

Only touching implies no pressure, which I guess can be analysed.
The use we make of our fingers is a fascinating question. See the kathakali dance and also in India daily life.

[Redblossom]

I've never understood where the idea came from that they were forensically in any particular position. The report below seems to be all that was said about them.

The report mentions 5 fingerprints, but the photo only shows 4.

The bottom right box is actually of two

[Carana]

Says who? The window opening expert? Normal people put their hand on the windows in exactly the same position whether you open or close them.

What position? LOL

All I've found is that there were 3 prints of the middle finger of the left hand and 2 of the index finger of the same hand on the inside of the window.

Do most people use two fingers to open or close a sliding window, or do they grab the frame / handle?

Unless it was already open and very easy to slide, wouldn't opening it or closing it with two fingers have smudged the prints?

Why wouldn't it be compatible with simply touching the window to poke her head outside?

[Carana]

The bottom right box is actually of two

Ah. OK, might be.

[Redblossom]

Why wouldn't it be compatible with simply touching the window to poke her head outside?

This is what is shown in GAs documentary, and later said by KM in a couple interviews and in her book IIRC, that she looked through the window, though no right hand prints found, neither were GMs, though according to Silvia Baptista,the maintenance manager, he told her he had closed the window that night after the events.


Edited

[Mrs. B]

What position? LOL

All I've found is that there were 3 prints of the middle finger of the left hand and 2 of the index finger of the same hand on the inside of the window.

Do most people use two fingers to open or close a sliding window, or do they grab the frame / handle?

Unless it was already open and very easy to slide, wouldn't opening it or closing it with two fingers have smudged the prints?

Why wouldn't it be compatible with simply touching the window to poke her head outside?

Of course they don't, normal people use the handle, where the locking mechanism also is placed. I just tried open mine with two fingers, it doesn't even work, my fingers slid across the glass. It works if you put your whole hand on it though, AFTER you have unlocked it. They're actually quite heavy, which anyone who has had to clean them would know.

[Angelo222]

You cannot tell if someone opened or closed a window from one fingerprint so let's stop fooling ourselves.  Those windows at the club just slid along horizontal like a patio door so no real effort needed.