Is Scotland Yard still running with the abduction theory?

[pegasus]

Are they still running with an abduction theory? - seems so according to what they have publically said - (and probably still running with an IMO incorrect removal window too)

[Silkywhiskers]

Are they still running with an abduction theory? - seems so according to what they have publically said - (and probably still running with an IMO incorrect removal window too)

Yes they've run with the abduction theory, all the way down to Spain, across to Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, down to South Africa and Australia, can't forget New Zealand - and ended up 300m from 5a's front door.

[pegasus]

Yes they've run with the abduction theory, all the way down to Spain, across to Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, down to South Africa and Australia, can't forget New Zealand - and ended up 300m from 5a's front door.

100m, when they start that other area

[pegasus]

... Smithman was seen at just before 10  ...

So that would mean exit from apartment at about 21:55 which puts you in the same time window as SY?
BTW I don't see why SY would concentrate only on a sighting of someone openly carrying a child.

[Silkywhiskers]

So that would mean exit from apartment at about 21:55 which puts you in the same time window as SY?
BTW I don't see why SY would concentrate only on a sighting of someone openly carrying a child.

Why do you assume they have?

Why don't you assume, like me, that the end result of Operation Grange is that particular sighting, who it was, and where he went?

Why don't you assume they have spent the last 4 years examining every individual that was anywhere near the OC that night, and a stack of others who weren't?

Why don't you believe that the "substantial phase" of Operation Grange is this dig?  They have already told us, the investigatory part is done, now they are doing the physical part.

Putting their money where their mouth has been, if you like.

Andy Redmond is standing there, which tells me that they didn't just get a map and throw a dart into for this dig.

They expect to find something.

Which makes it even queerer that the McCanns are in Rothley.

[John]

I would say this is their last throw of the dice, if they don't come up with anything by the end of next week I fear the Portuguese's patience will be sorely tested.

I still don't believe SY have anything solid to go by and are effectively learning as they go along. What is certain however is that they are desperate for a breakthrough.

[Mr Gray]

It would be somewhat embarrassing if, after spending goodly number of Simoleons and Doubloons on the case, all they were able to say at the end was:-
"The Portuguese judiciary called it right"

What do you mean by the Portuguese judiciary called it right...which one of their decisions are you referring to....the one where they said there was no evidence against the mccanns...SY have already said taht

[Wonderfulspam]

What do you mean by the Portuguese judiciary called it right...which one of their decisions are you referring to....the one where they said there was no evidence against the mccanns...SY have already said taht

When did they say taht?

[pegasus]

I wonder if the UK/PJ team has ever thought to really go back to square one, drop all assumptions, and ask two officers, did you actually look behind there, or not.

[John]

For Smithman to work timewise, the abduction (if there was one) had to have occurred shortly before 10pm.  That would allow the 5 minutes that it would have taken someone on foot carrying a child to get from OC Garden to Rua 25 de Abril and the Smiths.

[Victoria]

I would say this is their last throw of the dice, if they don't come up with anything by the end of next week I fear the Portuguese's patience will be sorely tested.

I still don't believe SY have anything solid to go by and are effectively learning as they go along. What is certain however is that they are desperate for a breakthrough.

Yes, I agree. If the searches and the interviews don't either turn up anything, or give them new leads, then I suspect Grange will be closed down, and that will, essentially, be the end of the matter. Unfortunately.

[stephen25000]

Yes, I agree. If the searches and the interviews don't either turn up anything, or give them new leads, then I suspect Grange will be closed down, and that will, essentially, be the end of the matter. Unfortunately.

I definitely agree on that.

The case will almost certainly go into limbo and that is unfortunate in every respect, as it won't bring closure to the case and Madeleine's memory.

[Wonderfulspam]

For Smithman to work timewise, the abduction (if there was one) had to have occurred shortly before 10pm.  That would allow the 5 minutes that it would have taken someone on foot carrying a child to get from OC Garden to Rua 25 de Abril and the Smiths.

The Smithman abductor would also have had to change Maddies pyjama top, prior to being seen by the Smiths.

That's not likely is it, so, Smithman wasn't an abductor.

[pegasus]

... the 5 minutes that it would have taken someone on foot carrying a child to get from OC Garden to Rua 25 de Abril and the Smiths.

If you assume the man had come from 5A, and was walking fast, 3 minutes, maybe less, would be adequate, and it would take 5 minutes only if he walked slowly IMO.
I previously thought the Smith sighting was relevant.
But my current thinking is that there was no removal at any time close to 22:00.
The whole investigation seems to be hypnotised by the unconcealed carrying sightings.

[Victoria]

If you assume the man had come from 5A, and was walking fast, 3 minutes, maybe less, would be adequate, and it would take 5 minutes only if he walked slowly IMO.
I previously thought the Smith sighting was relevant.
But my current thinking is that there was no removal at any time close to 22:00.
The whole investigation seems to be hypnotised by the unconcealed carrying sightings.

Yes indeed. There could be many more witnesses that we simply haven't been told about yet. There is plenty of stuff that isn't available to the general public.