Would an amnesty in the Madeleine case bring forth a conclusion?

[Carana]

Absolutely, without informants many a case would never touch base.  My own feeling in the Madeleine case is that the Portuguese police and the AG have lost interest and are merely treading water.  They should be encouraged to offer anything which could bring closure to this mystery.

My impression is a bit different from yours.

I'm not sure that the PJ / AG have lost interest, as such. "Leaks" have dried up and the small team has more than one unresolved case to follow up on.

My impression is rather that they are in a transition period, moving from an "old-school" approach to one far more inline with modern methods, but perhaps still without adequate resources.

[John]

Absurd statement.  Scotland Yard has no power to prosecute anyone in this case.

You couldn't be more wrong.

[John]

My impression is a bit different from yours.

I'm not sure that the PJ / AG have lost interest, as such. "Leaks" have dried up and the small team has more than one unresolved case to follow up on.

My impression is rather that they are in a transition period, moving from an "old-school" approach to one far more inline with modern methods, but perhaps still without adequate resources.

As you have pointed out they have more pressing work to get on with and with limited resources.  I would say they aren't actively involved at all in the search for Madeleine these days and simply pay lip service to any requests from SY.

[Alfie]

You couldn't be more wrong.

Explain why.

[John]

Explain why.

First of all, SY are evidence gatherers and don't prosecute anywhere.  That said, should someone be identified as having had some involvement in the disappearance of Madeleine MCCann they can recommend that person be prosecuted.

To return to my original point which you discarded as 'absurd', SY are looking for someone to prosecute.

[Alfie]

First of all, SY are evidence gatherers and don't prosecute anywhere.  That said, should someone be identified as having had some involvement in the disappearance of Madeleine MCCann they can recommend that person be prosecuted.

To return to my original point which you discarded as 'absurd', SY are looking for someone to prosecute.

SY have no power to prosecute, as I said.  They are evidence gatherers as you said.  They can build a case against someone but it would be the Portuguese who would decide whether or to proceed with a prosecution.   There is nothing wrong with building a compelling case for bringing a prosecution against someone who may have been involved in the child's disappearance, so why the cynicism?

[John]

SY have no power to prosecute, as I said.  They are evidence gatherers as you said.  They can build a case against someone but it would be the Portuguese who would decide whether or to proceed with a prosecution.   There is nothing wrong with building a compelling case for bringing a prosecution against someone who may have been involved in the child's disappearance, so why the cynicism?

The CPS can initiate a prosecution in certain circumstances so the decision making is not entirely with the Portuguese.  That said, my main point stands, SY have offered a reward for information which would see someone convicted of Madeleine's abduction.  There is no reward for her return.  Do you not find that a tad strange?

[Alfie]

The CPS can initiate a prosecution in certain circumstances so the decision making is not entirely with the Portuguese.  That said, my main point stands, SY have offered a reward for information which would see someone convicted of Madeleine's abduction.  There is no reward for her return.  Do you not find that a tad strange?

Not really.  Why do you find it strange?  They are in the business of pursuing criminals to justice, not reuniting children with their families, though that is sometimes the happy by-product of an investigation.  I doubt the Met endorses the payment of kidnap ransoms either, which is in effect what a reward for her safe return would be.

[mercury]

Not really.  Why do you find it strange?  They are in the business of pursuing criminals to justice, not reuniting children with their families, though that is sometimes the happy by-product of an investigation.  I doubt the Met endorses the payment of kidnap ransoms either, which is in effect what a reward for her safe return would be.

Police are tasked to solve crimes, first pursue criminals later

[sadie]

Not really.  Why do you find it strange?  They are in the business of pursuing criminals to justice, not reuniting children with their families, though that is sometimes the happy by-product of an investigation.  I doubt the Met endorses the payment of kidnap ransoms either, which is in effect what a reward for her safe return would be.

Good post Alfie.

[John]

Not really.  Why do you find it strange?  They are in the business of pursuing criminals to justice, not reuniting children with their families, though that is sometimes the happy by-product of an investigation.  I doubt the Met endorses the payment of kidnap ransoms either, which is in effect what a reward for her safe return would be.

I wonder what the parents of a missing child would have as their priority, their child returned or some crimbo prosecuted?  Who gives a toss for a few quid if a child disappearance case can be solved.

If SY cannot solve this case its about time they said so and handed it over to people who can.

[mercury]

I wonder what the parents of a missing child would have as their priority, their child returned or some crimbo prosecuted?  Who gives a toss for a few quid if a child disappearance case can be solved.

If SY cannot solve this case its about time they said so and handed it over to people who can.

3 police forces
7 pi agencies
None can solve
Or some dont want to

[sadie]

I wonder what the parents of a missing child would have as their priority, their child returned or some crimbo prosecuted?  Who gives a toss for a few quid if a child disappearance case can be solved.

If SY cannot solve this case its about time they said so and handed it over to people who can.

Who do you suggest, John?

[John]

Who do you suggest, John?

Point being that SY should stand aside now if they have drawn a blank.  There are plenty of professionals out there who could take this case further.  I fear however that saving face has become more important than solving the case.

[mercury]

Who are these professionals and why didnt the mccanns ask the met for advice on chosing PIS?..exactly  did they chose them??. Any one know!??