It's July. The hypothesis of death, including by the parents, is being seriously considered.
A few days later, we welcome Mark Harrison, a specialist in murder, and the search for missing persons and victims of natural disasters. National advisor to the British police, he is well known for his exceptional professional experience. He has already participated in dozens of international criminal investigations.
After a week of intense work, Harrison presents the results of his study to my coordinating group. Even if we were expecting it, his conclusions confirm our worst fears. The most plausible scenario is the following: there is no doubt that Madeleine is dead, and her body is hidden somewhere in the area around Praia da Luz.
Harrison also suggests that we use the skills of two totally remarkable dogs: the first an EVRD (Enhanced Victim Recovery Dog), achieves outstanding performance in the detection of human cadaver odour; the second, a CSI dog (Crime Scene Investigation) is capable of smelling the tiniest trace of blood, knowing how to recognise its human origin. (GA)
Commander Mark Harrison
Australian Federal Police
Mark joined the British Police Service in 1987 as a sworn officer where he initially performed uniform general duties. He progressed his career and focused in counter terrorism and the forensic aspects of search.
In 2002 Mark was appointed the British Police national coordinator for serial homicide, abduction and matters of national security where there were matters relating to forensic search. He fulfilled a senior detective leadership role as a consultant to fellow detectives and to government policy forums, consulting widely within the UK and other countries including, but not limiting to, the USA, Australia and New Zealand.
In 2004 Mark was awarded by HM The Queen the MBE for services to policing in relation to serial homicide and counter terrorist investigations.
In 2007 Mark was awarded a visiting professorship in earth and ocean sciences specializing in geoforensics in recognition to the contribution he has made in this emerging area of forensic science.
In 2010 Mark joined the Australian Federal Police as the coordinator of their crime scene sciences department and was promoted to Commander in February 2012 where he currently leads a large diverse team of operational forensic staff.
http://forensicacademy.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Efficient-Forensic-Science-2.pdf