Are Victim Detection and Forensic Evidence Search Dogs reliable?

[Air Con]

Kate's Book.

Sorry?

Kate's book is now an unequivocal reference point of accurate information?

[Mr Gray]

Yes, according to the Daily Mirror.

I think its typical redtop reporting

[ferryman]

There has been nothing officially said about what the dogs' work is going to involve.  Whether it is for continued investigation of outdoor sites, vehicles or residences or in the event of information from the interviews; we are just going to have to wait and see how they are deployed.  Even then we won't have a clue why they will be doing whatever it is the Met wants them to unless someone takes time out to tell us officially, and I don't think that is going to happen.
The Met are working - not putting on a show for us.
Maybe the 'source close to the investigation' doesn't know half what is supposed particularly as a lot of its 'information' has been unhelpful to say the least.

Any reaction by the dogs will be worth a bean only if the reaction is backed by tangible evidence (blood!) that reveals significant DNA evidence.

Otherwise, any reaction will be as worthless as reactions in the shelved enquiry.

[pathfinder73]

Any reaction by the dogs will be worth a bean only if the reaction is backed by tangible evidence (blood!) that reveals significant DNA evidence.

Otherwise, any reaction will be as worthless as reactions in the shelved enquiry.

Smithman is the only corroborating evidence needed. Connect Smithman to the cadaver then game over so expect more digging.

[John]

In an experiment carried out by the Canine Specialised Search Team (CSST), a resource of Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner's office, it was found that residual scent will last 1 year in a building with minimum environmental influence, or human disturbance. Even after the objects where the scent source had been were removed, the dogs were able to locate the rooms, general area, or pinpoint where it had been.

www.csst.org/residual_scent.html

[pegasus]

In an experiment carried out by the Canine Specialised Search Team (CSST), a resource of Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner's office, it was found that residual scent will last 1 year in a building with minimum environmental influence, or human disturbance. Even after the objects where the scent source had been were removed, the dogs were able to locate the rooms, general area, or pinpoint where it had been.

www.csst.org/residual_scent.html

Since the original set up date on November 9 1996 we have returned to the building 4 times: January 8 1997, April 2 1997, July 23 1997 and December 7

That link states dogs could detect the scent about 13 months later.
But please note - the maximum period tested was about 13 months .
Nothing in the link suggests that 13 months is any kind of maximum.

[John]

Absolutely, the longevity of cadaver scent is dependent on so many variables as to make any guesstimates just that, guesstimates.

[Brietta]

Absolutely, the longevity of cadaver scent is dependent on so many variables as to make any guesstimates just that, guesstimates.

Under test conditions, the person who has set the test knows what scent the dog is reacting to. 

In the field, there is no way of knowing what the dog is alerting to; or if the scent is recent or historic.

Anything the dog alerts to must be corroborated by evidence of exactly what that is. 
Even should there be an alert in a vehicle - or anywhere else - after 7 years, only a positive DNA sample could link the alert to Madeleine. 

[sadie]

Smithman is the only corroborating evidence needed. Connect Smithman to the cadaver then game over so expect more digging.

What an unusual perspective you have on this case.

[Mr Gray]

Under test conditions, the person who has set the test knows what scent the dog is reacting to. 

In the field, there is no way of knowing what the dog is alerting to; or if the scent is recent or historic.

Anything the dog alerts to must be corroborated by evidence of exactly what that is. 
Even should there be an alert in a vehicle - or anywhere else - after 7 years, only a positive DNA sample could link the alert to Madeleine.

How many of the suspects are still driving the same car

[Brietta]

How many of the suspects are still driving the same car

It is only a 'source close to the investigation ... ' which has told us the highly unlikely car scenario. 

Apparently NSY want to check premises close to where the Smith sighting took place because a new witness has come forward to say a man was seen entering with a girl.

Not an official statement, but certainly a more plausible scenario than checking a vehicle seven years down the line.

[Brietta]

We had a bit of an in depth discussion some time ago regarding the stack of objects on top of the sideboard in the vicinity of one of Eddie's alerts.  It was unclear if it consisted of folded clothes and or dishcloths or if it was folders and paper material.
I have come across a clearer image, which imo shows that it is the latter.  It only lasts for a couple of seconds so you've got to be quick with the pause button.

Madeleine McCann - The Truth of the Lie - Goncalo Amaral's documentary (3 of 6)

at 9:06 … a clear view of the top of the sideboard which imo shows papers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF_EZCp-zJQ&index=3&list=PLipX7KO3PXeOtB7-WD9sJqhS5yMJ0RGzA

[pegasus]

We had a bit of an in depth discussion some time ago regarding the stack of objects on top of the sideboard in the vicinity of one of Eddie's alerts.  It was unclear if it consisted of folded clothes and or dishcloths or if it was folders and paper material.
I have come across a clearer image, which imo shows that it is the latter.  It only lasts for a couple of seconds so you've got to be quick with the pause button.

Madeleine McCann - The Truth of the Lie - Goncalo Amaral's documentary (3 of 6)

at 9:06 … a clear view of the top of the sideboard which imo shows papers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF_EZCp-zJQ&index=3&list=PLipX7KO3PXeOtB7-WD9sJqhS5yMJ0RGzA

Thankyou Brietta.
1. An interesting item in that pile is what appears to be a green item (with possibly yellow writing or design on it)?
2. The video may need colour correction? For this it would be useful to have an accurate photo to compare with the video image of the pack of tissues/pads on top of the sideboard - I have found images of similar packs but not the exact one.
3. In the video you posted, you can see a white pillow, and yellow pillowcases, at 9:03, on the table. These correspond exactly to the PJ file list and photos of items taken from living area. It should therefore be possible to see the checked trousers, the white sleeveless top, and the red plane t-shirt, somewhere in the video of Eddie searching the living area. The mystery is, in the living area video, where are they?

[sadie]

How many of the suspects are still driving the same car

My bet is that quite a few are.

PT in 2007, or even now, Dave, was not like the UK.

My PT friend is working, has no family commitments, doesnt drink nor smoke, nor drugs yet he drives a really old car.  Over here such a guy would probably be changing his car every couple of years.

I dont think PT peeps generally have the disposable income that we Brits tend to have.   And perhaps they are not so bothered about the status of owning a new car, as some over here seem to be.

[pegasus]

How many of the suspects are still driving the same car

Good point. But providing a car has not been scrapped, even if it has been sold several times since May 2007, it is very easy for PJ to find the current owner and location, and obtain it for dog inspection.