The Find Madeleine website, Tannerman & the e-fits

[Anna]

They first alerted the PJ by phone (there's nothing about that call in the files, which gives an idea of the importance the PO who answered the phone gave to it ; but also you have to imagine the dozen of sightings that were daily drowning the PJ). The PJ sent Martin Smith to the Gardai where he testified and The Gardai alerted the LC which in turn alerted the PJ.
By then Robert M had been made an arguido (on the 15th), but evidence was missing. I think that the Smith were mainly called to PDL in the hope that they would identify Robert M.

Martin Smith already knew R Murat, so he surely knew it was not he

[Lyall]

It may not be.

I was just trying to think about your earlier post:

Why asking questions that nobody here can answer ?
What are you insinuating with "resources" that the PJ "might not have" ? Are you speculating that there are no "artists" in Portugal capable to draw faceless or toothy or spotty guys ?

That was Anne But I'm sure she means of course the PJ can do it if/when they think there is need to.

Production of efits and releasing them is controversial not only in Portugal. Hamish Campbell will remember well that the Met released a completely useless one early in the Dando investigation, and then for some reason didn't bother to produce one from the statements of the two witnesses who almost certainly saw the murderer.

Big, high-profile investigations are tricky in any country.

[Carana]

That was Anne But I'm sure she means of course the PJ can do it if/when they think there is need to.

Production of efits and releasing them is controversial not only in Portugal. Hamish Campbell will remember well that the Met released a completely useless one early in the Dando investigation, and then for some reason didn't bother to produce one from the statements of the two witnesses who almost certainly saw the murderer.

Big, high-profile investigations are tricky in any country.

Yes, Soz, Lyall, I was in fact replying to AnneG, not you.

[ferryman]

That was Anne But I'm sure she means of course the PJ can do it if/when they think there is need to.

Production of efits and releasing them is controversial not only in Portugal. Hamish Campbell will remember well that the Met released a completely useless one early in the Dando investigation, and then for some reason didn't bother to produce one from the statements of the two witnesses who almost certainly saw the murderer.

Big, high-profile investigations are tricky in any country.

Why complicate it?

The PJ don't produce e-fits because their secrecy laws preclude such things ...

[AnneGuedes]

How many artists' drawings or e-fits did the PJ release to the public that they had made themselves?

I don't know, do you ?

[Lyall]

Why complicate it?

The PJ don't produce e-fits because their secrecy laws preclude such things ...

But they undoubtedly would if absolutely certain of a suspect.

[AnneGuedes]

Martin Smith already knew R Murat, so he surely knew it was not he

At the end of the interview and as he hadn't identified Smithman, Martin Smith was asked if he knew Robert M. He said he had already seen him and that he wasn't Smithman.

[Sherlock Holmes]

The absurd part must have been pre-planned as well, in order not to look planned.

Doublethink, triplethink.

[Carana]

Why complicate it?

The PJ don't produce e-fits because their secrecy laws preclude such things ...

But some people keep saying that publicising details of a missing person is illegal or detrimental in Portugal.

I agree that e-fits of a suspect are not the same thing as the details of a missing person, but some seem to insist that details of a missing person should not be divulged either... How on earth would the PJ be expected to help find them?

I find that incomprehensible.

The PJ website gives details about missing people, including any distinguishing features. (It might be useful if they updated the site... but, anyway.)

[AnneGuedes]

But they undoubtedly would if absolutely certain of a suspect.

They do when they are sure the risk of being counterproductive is negligible.

[Lyall]

But some people keep saying that publicising details of a missing person is illegal or detrimental in Portugal.

I agree that e-fits of a suspect are not the same thing as the details of a missing person, but some seem to insist that details of a missing person should not be divulged either... How on earth would the PJ be expected to help find them?

I find that incomprehensible.

The PJ website gives details about missing people, including any distinguishing features. (It might be useful if they updated the site... but, anyway.)

It's also to do with managing an investigation so it isn't overloaded with information.

I read or heard in a documentary recently re: the Soham case a policeman say that sometimes asking the public for help can do more harm than good - too many false sightings wasting police resources etc.

[AnneGuedes]

But some people keep saying that publicising details of a missing person is illegal or detrimental in Portugal.

I'm afraid you misunderstand, Carana. The police, and not only in Portugal, are aware that publishing details on a missing child possibly abducted for ransom or for some kind of slavery is putting its life in danger.

[AnneGuedes]

In the interests of fair debate and balance it would appear that the PJ are also guilty of suppressing e-fit images..
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/revealed-suspect-images-the-cops-never-986130

[Lyall]

I'm afraid you misunderstand, Carana. The police, and not only in Portugal, are aware that publishing details on a missing child possibly abducted for ransom or for some kind of slavery is putting its life in danger.

That's another reason

[AnneGuedes]

It's also to do with managing an investigation so it isn't overloaded with information.

I read or heard in a documentary recently re: the Soham case a policeman say that sometimes asking the public for help can do more harm than good - too many false sightings wasting police resources etc.

It's interesting to reckon why many countries are reluctant to programs like Crimewatch. I wonder how much time of valuable police officers' time was lost in analysing the more than 3 thousands calls/e-mails.