Scotland Yard about to commence digs in and around Praia da Luz.

[Carana]

Perhaps they thought they could get a quick solution with their superior technology.

Part of the issue was trying to identify who the numbers belonged to, wasn't it? If there weren't any in the vicinity aside from Murat, then there wouldn't have been the need, surely?

[Mr Gray]

Regardless of recent reports Gonçalo Amaral was very clear about mobile phone activity around the Ocean Club on the night that Madeleine disappeared. The only calls which caused suspicion were those made by Robert Murat.

I don't take a lot of notice about what amaral says...he was sacked from the case and all his conclusions were contradicted in the Portuguese archiving report

[jassi]

Part of the issue was trying to identify who the numbers belonged to, wasn't it? If there weren't any in the vicinity aside from Murat, then there wouldn't have been the need, surely?

Judging by the phone records that have been published, there would seem to have been quite a few, but none seem to have led anywhere - as far as we know.

[Mr Gray]

Judging by the phone records that have been published, there would seem to have been quite a few, but none seem to have led anywhere - as far as we know.

they haven't led anywhere because SY have been refused permission to follow up their information from what I can see

[John]

If that's the case, why have the Met spent considerable time on phone activity?

I believe the answer to that is that the Portuguese mobile telephony investigations concentrated on the mast in the immediate area of Ocean Club Blocks 4/5 and since Murat lived nearby it was inevitable that his phone would ping that mast.  Scotland Yard on the other hand appear to have cast their net much wider and consequently brought several others into the frame.

[stephen25000]

I don't take a lot of notice about what amaral says...he was sacked from the case and all his conclusions were contradicted in the Portuguese archiving report

Of course you don't and we know why.

He was sacked after he objected to interference in the case.

The archiving process occurred since the case was going nowhere, due to lack of evidence.

It does not mean however, that he was wrong in saying Madeleine probably died in the apartment.

[Mr Gray]

Does the area where the digs are taking place, rule out the smith sighting

[pegasus]

Does the area where the digs are taking place, rule out the smith sighting

The press-reported list of search areas includes the large site (west of Rua 1 Maio) which is between the apartment and the Smith sighting.
If Smithman was the perp he could end up at that site only if he reversed direction after being seen by the 9 witnesses, which of course would be a clever move.

[icabodcrane]

The press-reported list of search areas includes the large site (west of Rua 1 Maio) which is between the apartment and the Smith sighting.
If Smithman was the perp he could end up at that site only if he reversed direction after being seen by the 9 witnesses, which of course would be a clever move.

Or perhaps the police have reason to believe he discarded something  'en-route'   

[pathfinder73]

The press-reported list of search areas includes the large site (west of Rua 1 Maio) which is between the apartment and the Smith sighting.
If Smithman was the perp he could end up at that site only if he reversed direction after being seen by the 9 witnesses, which of course would be a clever move.

If they believe Smithman moved her an hour before he was seen only 250 metres away then they believe she was hidden there. If Madeleine didn't move the door before 9 according to Gerry then Smithman had to have done it  I believe they've been tracking his movements for the new digs. So that would mean Smithman was hiding in the apartment when Gerry checked. I'm surprised Gerry didn't see Smithman  >@@(*&)

[Silkywhiskers]

Gerry didn't see Smithman despite being in the apartment urinating when Madeleine was already deceased.

If you believe that you believe....all of it.

[pathfinder73]

Gerry didn't see Smithman despite being in the apartment urinating when Madeleine was already deceased.

If you believe that you believe....all of it.

Gerry should've checked behind the mirror.

[pegasus]

Or perhaps the police have reason to believe he discarded something  'en-route'   

If someone wanted to discard an ancillary material item (such as a weapon as some press reports imagine) he would simply throw it over the panel fence into the north part of that that big upcoming search area where it would fall in vegetation.

[Silkywhiskers]

The dig is expected to start Monday, according to the Guardian.

Interesting times....

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/may/28/madeleine-mccann-portugal-uk-police-search-next-week

[VIXTE]

McCanns still don't believe Madeleine is dead.  And SY.. even if they had to dig it doesn't mean their only theory is that Madeleine is dead. Maybe just one of the theories they have to investigate further.

BTW these digs should have been done back in 2007..