The question of the polygraph?

[Carana]

Kate and Gerry are happy to do anything that will help them to clear their names,” a source close to the couple said.

Which is jornalistic speak for a made up story. 

Did either Mr or Mrs Mccann ever actually say anything about a polygraph?

Good point as to who that original "source" was...

Clarence did respond at some point.

http://madeleinemythsexposed.pbworks.com/w/page/39077824/Rebuttal%20of%20%22Fact%22%v

[AnneGuedes]

In what way?

Someone (press?) asked "a source" if they would be willing to take a test.

What the papers actually report of the question and answer can be subject to selective editing.

Should I deduce from "in what way?" that you don't agree the polygraph episode was a spin doctor's mistake, but possibly a media's one or misunderstanding ?

[Carana]

Why was that article posted n th FIRST PLACE??

Which article? Posted here? Or published?

[stephen25000]

For reference  purposes

From Sky News, hardly 'anti-mccann' are they ?

But spokesman Clarence Mitchell said evidence from any test would not be admissible in a Portuguese court.

"Kate and Gerry McCann have absolutely nothing to hide," Mr Mitchell said.

"If a request from the Portuguese authorities was made for them to undergo such a lie detector test, they would have no issue with it, provided the test is suitably overseen by an appropriate expert who can ensure the absolutely reliability of the equipment being used."

But he said he understood that such machines were not used in Portuguese criminal cases, nor was the information from them admissible in court.

"Therefore we think it is extremely unlikely that such a request for a test would come through," he added.

The McCanns' declaration that they would be happy to take a lie detector test is just the latest stage of a public fightback to show they had nothing to do with their daughter's disappearance.

The couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, were declared suspects by detectives after DNA traces were found in a car hired after Madeleine's disappearance.

The couple have returned to Britain after a four-month stay in Portugal and have been told that police do not have enough evidence to justify interviewing them again.
-------------------------------------

[Carana]

For reference  purposes

From Sky News, hardly 'anti-mccann' are they ?

But spokesman Clarence Mitchell said evidence from any test would not be admissible in a Portuguese court.

"Kate and Gerry McCann have absolutely nothing to hide," Mr Mitchell said.


"If a request from the Portuguese authorities was made for them to undergo such a lie detector test, they would have no issue with it, provided the test is suitably overseen by an appropriate expert who can ensure the absolutely reliability of the equipment being used."
But he said he understood that such machines were not used in Portuguese criminal cases, nor was the information from them admissible in court.

"Therefore we think it is extremely unlikely that such a request for a test would come through," he added.

The McCanns' declaration that they would be happy to take a lie detector test is just the latest stage of a public fightback to show they had nothing to do with their daughter's disappearance.

The couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, were declared suspects by detectives after DNA traces were found in a car hired after Madeleine's disappearance.

The couple have returned to Britain after a four-month stay in Portugal and have been told that police do not have enough evidence to justify interviewing them again.
-------------------------------------

Thank you for finding that, Stephen.

[John]

They must be mad to even consider taking a polygraph because it is a false science and open to so many variables.

If Mitchell is counselling them in such a manner then they are being badly advised.

I have a feeling that statement was yet more media hype as he rightly knows that the polygraph has no place in criminal justice cases and should be maintained in the Jeremy Kyle arena of garbage TV.

[Jean-Pierre]

It would appear that he wasn't.

Judging from the Sky News comment above - it would appear that he was answering a direct question from a journalist. 

This particular thread appears to have arisen from an individual offering the McCanns a polygraph test, which they politely declined.  As any rational human being would. 

[John]

It would appear that he wasn't.

Judging from the Sky News comment above - it would appear that he was answering a direct question from a journalist. 

This particular thread appears to have arisen from an individual offering the McCanns a polygraph test, which they politely declined.  As any rational human being would.

  

[Carana]

Quite.

But that hasn't stopped the howls of "which innocent parents would REFUSE a lie detector test", though, has it?


ETA: it reminds me of a certain garden-dig appeal...

[John]

Howls being from these very same people who regularly view the Jeremy Kyle show every morning.

[Benice]

What a load of cobblers.

I have and would never let any of my children alone and unguarded in the circumstances they did.

So what exactly is your point ?

But I only have your word for that - and I don't know you from Adam.  Care to take a polygraph test?
(See how ridiculous this is?)

If you have never been charged with any crime, then your status is exactly the same as the McCanns - there is no difference under the law.

[John]

Our sister site on twitter spent some time challenging these so-called polygraph experts but needless to say not one of them was prepared to put their neck on the line or their head in the noose. 

[Puffin]

Our sister site on twitter spent some time challenging these so-called polygraph experts but needless to say not one of them was prepared to put their neck on the line or their head in the noose. 

Precisely!  I would never consider taking such a test - I would fail from the start so I would be considered guilty even if there was no actual evidence against me.   From what I have read of the procedure it does not take into account any medical problems that could influence the results.

[stephen25000]

But I only have your word for that - and I don't know you from Adam.  Care to take a polygraph test?
(See how ridiculous this is?)

If you have never been charged with any crime, then your status is exactly the same as the McCanns - there is no difference under the law.

Complete rubbish.

The mccanns behaviour and lack of childcare led to the disappearance of Madeleine. They were her parents and guardians.

If you have any doubt as to what that entails, read up on the NSPCC.

As to why they were never charged with neglect, I do not know.

What they failed to do and the subsequent consequences are why we are commenting here.

[AnneGuedes]

"Kate and Gerry McCann have absolutely nothing to hide," Mr Mitchell said.

I wonder how the British public reacts to that kind of statement, but I'm sure that in Cartesian France it would be found laughable if not ludicrous to use one of the favourite words of Mr Mitchell.