Madeleine McCann - The locks to apartment 5a

[DCI]

Is it even certain that that was the type of key for 5A?

That photo of one came from NOTW.

I don't see a key in the files, just photos of the locking system.





ETA: Yes, it might be. See p. 13 - 1956 looks similar.

http://www.rodes.pt/images/stories/catalogs/catalogo_Rodes.pdf

Zoom in on this, looks like the same key on top of the passports.

[Carana]

I can't zoom in enough, but I had a look at the lock.

See p. 13 - 1956 looks similar.

http://www.rodes.pt/images/stories/catalogs/catalogo_Rodes.pdf

The keys are called "chaves 4 entradas".

Quite a few Mr Minit - type places seem to cut that type, although I haven't looked specifically for that make.

[VIXTE]

I remember a person who visited OC some time before Madeleine went missing said on a forum that these keys weren't easy to operate.
Visitors had to be shown how to use them i.e one turn right and two turns left or two turns right and one turn left.. something like that..

[Brietta]

I remember a person who visited OC some time before Madeleine went missing said on a forum that these keys weren't easy to operate.
Visitors had to be shown how to use them i.e one turn right and two turns left or two turns right and one turn left.. something like that..

That would appear to rule out entirely the notion that a diminutive three year old opened the front door and walked out.

[VIXTE]

That would appear to rule out entirely the notion that a diminutive three year old opened the front door and walked out.

The door could be opened easily from inside if it wasn't locked with a key but just pulled locked. Or it was just pulled but not closed properly. But I don't think she would go out without wearing her shoes. But that is a possibility I would think: that Gerry during the 9pm visit hasn't locked or pulled the door properly.

Another strange thing about this lock is a tourist saying they locked the door from inside and were inside when the cleaner came in unlocking the door even with the key in. I remember that.

[VIXTE]

Does anyone know if the valuables on the desk, like passports and stuff were checked for fingerprints by PJ?
And why there are only 4 passports on the desk?

[Brietta]

The door could be opened easily from inside if it wasn't locked with a key but just pulled locked. Or it was just pulled but not closed properly. But I don't think she would go out without wearing her shoes. But that is a possibility I would think: that Gerry during the 9pm visit hasn't locked or pulled the door properly.

Another strange thing about this lock is a tourist saying they locked the door from inside and were inside when the cleaner came in unlocking the door even with the key in. I remember that.

Over the years none of my doors have ever been able to be unlocked from the outside when the key has been left in the lock.  I remember the statement and that the tourists were shocked, I would have been too.
(LOL ... as an aside, I think they must have been late risers, it has been my experience that housekeeping doesn't arrive till well after breakfast.)

[pegasus]

I can't zoom in enough, but I had a look at the lock.

See p. 13 - 1956 looks similar.

http://www.rodes.pt/images/stories/catalogs/catalogo_Rodes.pdf

The keys are called "chaves 4 entradas".

Quite a few Mr Minit - type places seem to cut that type, although I haven't looked specifically for that make.

Good find.
But I think the keys in "Foto 18" above are the UK house keys?
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/P1/01_VOLUME_Ia_Page_22.jpg

[pegasus]

Does anyone know if the valuables on the desk, like passports and stuff were checked for fingerprints by PJ?
And why there are only 4 passports on the desk?

This photo was taken early hours of 4th, by then 1 passport would have been removed to show police?

[DCI]

This photo was taken early hours of 4th, by then 1 passport would have been removed to show police?

There are 5 passports on the desk, one is open with the other 4 on top. IF I am correct it is Madeliene's passport photo you can just see on the open one.

[John]

It would seem that although the locks appeared similar, the keys weren't of the same type throughout the Ocean Club complex.

Here for example is a photo of the key to the front door of apartment 6a, courtesy Mike Teskowski.  This particular lock utilises a key almost identical to Chubb or Yale locks in the UK.

Bottom left photo shows clearly how the door is barred manually without even having to use the key in the secondary lock.  Any almost 4-year-old child would be quite capable of pulling that bar back.

I also find it quite astonishing that the CSI photos do not show this bar leaving anyone studying them with the impression that a key is needed to operate the lock when this is not the case.





Door lock identical to that used in apt 5a.  Note however that the actual key is of a different design.

[John]

Depicted below is the exact type and style of lock used on the front door of apt 5a.  Photo on right shows the style of key used.

   

[jassi]

Does the key activate the bar as well or is that a manual lock?
Anyone locking/unlocking the door from outside would need to use a key

[Carana]

Depicted below is the exact type and style of lock used on the front door of apt 5a.  Photo on right shows the style of key used.

   

I found it odd that the indoor lever isn't shown on the photos as well.

Re the lock you've just posted, it doesn't look identical to me as in the PJ photo the cannon is aligned with the deadlock, whereas the one you posted is further down.

[John]

Its not identical since the apartment lock was an older model.  The latest version has subtle improvements in design.