If The GNR Search & Rescue Dogs Were Not Tracking MM Who Were They Tracking?

[The General]

We don't know if the motive was sexual.  As I understand it most paedophiles are not interested in children as young as MM.

Ok, so we're driving at my reservations now. As I've described before, what's the likelihood of an opportunist abductor being in the vicinity of an opportunity - only this one time.

[jassi]

We don't know if the motive was sexual.  As I understand it most paedophiles are not interested in children as young as MM.

That may be so, but some will be.  Even 1%  will be a significant number

[Angelo222]

Ok, so we're driving at my reservations now. As I've described before, what's the likelihood of an opportunist abductor being in the vicinity of an opportunity - only this one time.

Highly unlikely imo.  Only an idiot would attempt to abduct a toddler in such circumstances.

[The General]

Highly unlikely imo.  Only an idiot would attempt to abduct a toddler in such circumstances.

And if this was an abduction, then this particular abductor was no idiot. In fact, turns out, he's the best.

[Angelo222]

I'm sorry to say you are wrong on both accounts.
There are two videos of interviews with cleaning staff and restaurant staff and the locks in both videos are exactly the same as that in 5A.

The other one Alexandre Simas knocks on the door of 5A and GA opens the door from the inside.  We never see them use the key.
We are talking about a knob, but in fact it is only a type of knob.  In fact it was a type of hook that you can pull to "to disengage the snib from the inside".

To describe the parts of a lock is rather difficult for each component has its own technical term, that I'm not particularly familiar with.
But "snib" I think is termed the "latch bolt" but it might also be spring loaded bevelled latch bolt.

But what is also important is to understand the function of the latch bolt locking device.  Did they move together or were they moving separately?  Obviously pulling the latch bolt hook this withdrew both the latch bolt and the latch bolt locking device so the door can be opened or closed from the inside.

What has never been demonstrated is that the door would just shut without a key or without pulling on the hook.

Do you understand how the tapered snib works Rob?  It is tapered so that it engages in the latch plate the moment it is fully closed rendering it impossible to open from the outside without a key.

[Robittybob1]

Kate's concern about the wisdom of the decision to leave the door unlocked was reported by her friends, not alleged. Unless you are implying that the conversation didn't happen?

I think this point is more important than any idea there is someone hanging around.  Kate's friends felt uncomfortable about the unlocked patio door.  In my theory it is for this reason they tried to make a point.  But it all went wrong when Madeleine exited the front door and didn't close it behind her.  Someone else had to close it, therefore logic states there was someone else in the apartment.  But that person is not an abductor, for Madeleine leaves by herself.

[The General]

There is a round door knob and about 100 mm below that is the  keyhole.

So the door is only closeable by using the mortice lock key? Surely it also latches somehow, otherwise you would have to lock it to just keep it closed, never mind lock.

[Holly Goodhead]

No I'm sceptical of the whole premise actually. Knowing what transpired, it's a remarkably prescient comment. In fact it's pivotal, quite irrespective of the fact that it demonstrates a level of culpability Kate would rather us ignore.

As I said up thread you very rarely hear about the unlocked patio doors from anyone but there's no doubt in my mind they were unlocked.  I place a lot of reliance on Mrs Fenn's wit stat.  From KM's book page 212:

It was the following evening, Sunday 3rd June - exactly a month after Madeleine's abduction - that Gerry and I opened up a little more to each other and shared some of the thoughts and anxieties that had been quietly tormenting us both; thoughts and anxieties that perhaps we hadn't felt able or ready to voice up to now.

We'd been sitting alone at the table, working at our computers.  It was quiet and the lights were low.  Though I can't remember how the conversation started, I'm glad it did.  We'd talked through the guilt we felt about not having been in that apartment with the children; about having left the patio doors unlocked.  How we found it hard to comprehend that we could have been so naive.  We acknowledged the possibility that Madeleine might no longer be alive; the possibility that we might never find out what had happened to her.  Would we ever be able to return to our home, the home we had shared with her?  Maybe we should move elsewhere.  Where?  We discussed the need we felt to do our utmost to prevent this from happening to another child; to prevent another family going through what we going through.  We have to ensure that something positive for someone, even if it wasn't us, came out of this horrific experience.

For me, the honest exposure of this buried poison was like lancing a boil.  Admitting these secret fears and concerns, bringing them out into the open and sharing them with the only other person who was persecuted in the same way, made them suddenly a little easier to understand and to manage.  Strengthened and comforted, I fell asleep that night more peacefully than I had in many days.

[The General]

I think this point is more important than any idea there is someone hanging around.  Kate's friends felt uncomfortable about the the unlocked patio door.  In my theory it is for this reason they tried to make a point.  But it all went wrong when Madeleine exited the front door and didn't close it behind her.  Someone else had to close it, therefore logic states there was someone else in the apartment.  But that person is not an abductor, for Madeleine leaves by herself.

Hang on, how did she open the front door? Which mechanism? The mortice lock, or a Yale type tapered latch?

[Holly Goodhead]

And if this was an abduction, then this particular abductor was no idiot. In fact, turns out, he's the best.

And if this was an abduction how can we be sure it was a he?

[Holly Goodhead]

Highly unlikely imo.  Only an idiot would attempt to abduct a toddler in such circumstances.

You don't think MM was abducted from 5A?

[The General]

And if this was an abduction how can we be sure it was a he?

It was a convenient label, nothing more. 'Non-gender' specific, to give it it's neo-liberal, marxist leaning term.

[Holly Goodhead]

Ok, so we're driving at my reservations now. As I've described before, what's the likelihood of an opportunist abductor being in the vicinity of an opportunity - only this one time.

It's what makes the case unique imo; two unique sets of circumstances colliding to cause a freak occurrence. 

[Angelo222]

You don't think MM was abducted from 5A?

No

[Angelo222]

For Rob

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