The question of the polygraph?

[Carana]

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.

Is there a connection between your comment and the discussion about polygraphs?

[ferryman]

You may think so, this was not my point and I see no xenophobism in wondering how this kind of statement is received in the UK. I noted Inspector Redwood used very much the word "believe" which means conviction without rational basis.
Mr Mitchell assumes as given something which is only a matter of belief. This is a performative utterance.

Objectively, an investigation just under a year-and-a-half long unearthed nothing incriminating against any of the original 3 arguidos, strongly suggesting that none has anything to hide.

[AnneGuedes]

Objectively, an investigation just under a year-and-a-half long unearthed nothing incriminating against any of the original 3 arguidos, strongly suggesting that none has anything to hide.

Strange logic ! Nothing to hide by default !
When a person refuses to answer questions to authorities asked to resolve an issue, people will usually deduce the person has something to hide.

[ferryman]

Strange logic ! Nothing to hide by default !
When a person refuses to answer questions to authorities asked to resolve an issue, people will usually deduce the person has something to hide.

Oh dear!

We aren't back to the questions Kate didn't answer again, are we?

[AnneGuedes]

Ferryman, my answer was for Carana who unfortunately questioned my answer to you !
Like dodgem.

[AnneGuedes]

Oh dear!

We aren't back to the questions Kate didn't answer again, are we?

No, it was just an example of what common sense tells.
(I know Mrs McCann had the right not to answer, did what her lawyer advised, both seeming to consider not what actually was at stake (getting a child back) but all the bullshit people would gossip about)

[AnneGuedes]

If there is little news, then perhaps the press are being discreet?

ETA: pending further information, or a public appeal...

I think the media feel something's fishy, but don't want to put on risk the little girl's life.

[Benice]

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.

It was your assertion that ''You can't be found innocent of a crime unless you have been charged with one and found innocent.''    By that logic then everyone, including yourself, who hasn't been charged with a crime against Madeleine and found innocent of one  -still cannot be perceived to be innocent.   It's your theory not mine.   I prefer - Innocent until proved guilty - and so does the Law thank goodness, as it protects us from lynchmobs.     

In reply to your reply which incidentally had nothing to do with my post - the McCanns did no different to thousands of other parents who, whilst on holiday, leave their children asleep knowing they will be regularly checked. 

People who disagree with that particular baby listening arrangement are entitled to their opinion.   

However the constant attempts to pretend they were the only parents on the planet ever to mirror the Baby Listening Service legally offered by tour operators etc. is completely unfair.   IMO The McCanns are guilty of human error, for which they and their daughter have paid the most terrible price.    The abductor is the criminal here, in case you've forgotten.


(apols to all for going off topic)

[icabodcrane]

My guess is that the question was  'put'  to Clarence Mitchell by a journo, ,  and,  slipping into   'I speak for Kate and Gerry'  mode,  he made a committment on their behalf that they would never have even considered  ...  and I wouldn't blame them for not considering it either.  They faced very serious charges potentially being brought and risking  ANY chance of error in the procedure would be madness

That was just Clarence Michell at his arrogant  'we call all the shots'  best  ( or worst )  in my opinion

[ferryman]

No, it was just an example of what common sense tells.
(I know Mrs McCann had the right not to answer, did what her lawyer advised, both seeming to consider not what actually was at stake (getting a child back) but all the bullshit people would gossip about)

Surely the whole point, though, Anne is that these questions did not contribute to getting at the material truth. 

I should stress, I don't mean, by that, that the PJ as a whole were out to get the McCanns.  I actually believe, quite genuinely, that the opposite is true.  In particular, I am an absolute fan of the PJ inspector Dias, and I think that Inspector Carlos, after a wobbly 5 minutes, emerged with great credit, especially for his final report.

And I believe many other Portuguese officers put in a great deal of hard and excellent work. 

But I believe that there is a model within Portuguese policing (borrowed, I think, from the American model) that it is acceptable practice to test a suspect by lying to them, the rationale being, simply, that if they hold firm, that helps to establish that they have nothing to hide.

The McCanns held firm and the PJ and prosecutors concluded that the McCanns had nothing to hide, and that that was reflected in the final report.

I also liked the work of PJ Inspector Ferraria (sp) who interviewed Yvonne Martin and (I believe) assessed her and the worth of her evidence exactly right.

There are many other examples of very fine work put in by PJ officers.

But the tragedy (for Madeleine especially) is that the focus on her parents allowed the true perpetrator(s) to get away, and I fear that is where it all went most badly wrong.

[Benice]

Surely the whole point, though, Anne is that these questions did not contribute to getting at the material truth. 

I should stress, I don't mean, by that, that the PJ as a whole were out to get the McCanns.  I actually believe, quite genuinely, that the opposite is true.  In particular, I am an absolute fan of the PJ inspector Dias, and I think that Inspector Carlos, after a wobbly 5 minutes, emerged with great credit, especially for his final report.

And I believe many other Portuguese officers put in a great deal of hard and excellent work. 

But I believe that there is a model within Portuguese policing (borrowed, I think, from the American model) that it is acceptable practice to test a suspect by lying to them, the rationale being, simply, that if they hold firm, that helps to establish that they have nothing to hide.

The McCanns held firm and the PJ and prosecutors concluded that the McCanns had nothing to hide, and that that was reflected in the final report.

I also liked the work of PJ Inspector Ferraria (sp) who interviewed Yvonne Martin and (I believe) assessed her and the worth of her evidence exactly right.

There are many other examples of very fine work put in by PJ officers.

But the tragedy (for Madeleine especially) is that the focus on her parents allowed the true perpetrator(s) to get away, and I fear that is where it all went most badly wrong.

Agreed.   My sentiments entirely.

[Carana]

I think the media feel something's fishy, but don't want to put on risk the little girl's life.

Quite rightly so.

Have the French been insisting on a polygraph?

[ferryman]

Quite rightly so.

Have the French been insisting on a polygraph?

How would Amaral fair with a polygraph test?

Would he submit to one?

[DCI]

How would Amaral fair with a polygraph test?

Would he submit to one?

Along with his wife, Sofia?.

[AnneGuedes]

Quite rightly so.

Have the French been insisting on a polygraph?

The polygraph isn't admitted as evidence in France, Carana. Family members aren't (yet) officially suspected. As I said above, in the US, polygraph is used by family members, in case of a missing child, to contribute to the investigation, not letting the police lose time on them.