Yes the files and the very many audio interviews and documentaries are the best of shields, if malice isn't at stake however. But how could it ? What people want is just the truth, nothing more.
When you read the files -- even, or perhaps especially, -- those parts of the files, apparently angled against them -- the McCanns' innocence is manifest.
Classic example: Almeida said Kate's father confirmed Kate and Gerry used sedatives with the children.
Kate's father actually said the McCanns used
calpol with the children, something Kate and Gerry had, themselves, long since already told the PJ. Indeed, Kate and Gerry even confirmed they had calpol with them on that holiday, but hadn't used it -- an odd thiing to 'admit' if they had something sinister to hide.
And 'jemmied shutters'; oddly, something of no concern to Almeida in his report, who says nothing of the kind; and Almeida thought they were guilty.