Did the PJ conduct a proper search for evidence at OC?

[Benice]

An escape route in case he got trapped in the bedroom.  Seems obvious to me.

Me too.  It is also the only window from where a clear view of the carpark can be seen.  The front door is recessed so far back that a person would have to be physically a couple of metres out of the apartment via the door before they could know if the car park was clear.   That would mean showing themselves.

[Carana]

Here are two photos showing the site in daylight and at night.  Remember there was no floodlight when Madeleine disappeared.

In the lower picture 1 denotes the children's bedroom window and 2 denotes Jane Tanner's route.

When were those spotlights added? As far as I'm aware, this bright lighting wasn't there at that time, although perhaps you have evidence to the contrary.

ETA: You did actually point out that the lighting wasn't the same at the time.

I've just remembered that that was an extract from Amaral's book. Did he ever point out that the lighting had changed after her disappearance... or were readers supposed to assume that those photos reflected the conditions on that night?

[Mr Gray]

Alternatively, he could have kept the shutters down and turned the light on.

light would have been too bright whilst a shutter opened would let a minimal amount of light in

[Angelo222]

The floodlight was added after the disappearance and all the trees removed.

[jassi]

light would have been too bright whilst a shutter opened would let a minimal amount of light in

Too bright for what?

[Angelo222]

The following photos adequately depict the scene outside the children's bedroom window on 4th May 2007 and after Pat Brown's visit some time later.

The photo on the left clearly shows that had it not been for the photographers flashgun the scene would have been very dark.

Looking at the photo on the left again, does anyone really believe an abductor could get out of that window carrying a nearly 4-year-old child in his arms?

[pathfinder73]

Look at the small window width.  Must have been skinny spotty man 

[Sherlock Holmes]

I have not been to Praia da Luz yet and therefore don't have a feel for things on the ground near the apartment,
but it is clear and has been mentioned several times that the apartment is built on a slope. The ground level  of the car park to the front is significantly higher than that of the house.

It seems to me that in order for a person inside that window to have a reasonable view of the car park, particularly in the dark, given that the car park is at a higher level than the house and that the view of it from inside the house is partially obscured by the little wall in front of the path, the shutter would have to be right up to the top and the person inside the house possibly kneeling or bending down slightly and looking upwards out of the window.

In other words, not something easy or comfortable to achieve, especially with a bed in the way and time not on one's side.

Can anyone with knowledge of the block confirm these angles?

[Sherlock Holmes]

The arrow in the one Angelo posted makes the same point I expect, but I'm not convinced. Heriberto is not a neutral observer either.

Why not, Lyall?

[Lyall]

Why not, Lyall?

I just mean he has a very definite opinion on what happened to Madeleine. And not much doubt about it I'd wager, if any.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I just mean he has a very definite opinion on what happened to Madeleine. And not much doubt about it I'd wager, if any.

Yes, see what you mean.

Perhaps he has reason to be so sure?

[Lyall]

Yes, see what you mean.

Perhaps he has reason to be so sure?

Only one way he could be so certain

[Sherlock Holmes]

Only one way he could be so certain

That's cute.

In reality of course there is no such thing in being objective, so we cannot in all honesty pretend that we are.

[Redblossom]

Yes, see what you mean.

Perhaps he has reason to be so sure?

If anyone was "sure" then the police would be sure too

 >@@(*&)

maybe "convinced would be a better word here

[sadie]

Look at the small window width.  Must have been skinny spotty man 

The image is forteshortened Pathfinder.  The window is too narrow for a man to climb thru, without a huge struggle and marks/ fibres left.   Personally I dont think any wo/man went thru there.  I also prefer to think that Madeleine went thru the front door with the lifter; it is the logical route for me.

But Heri puts forward a sound enough theory and he might be right.