Kate McCann admits in her book that private criminal investigations in Portugal were illegal.

[slartibartfast]

The mechanisms of due process and accusing are quite different in England than Portugal.

That might be part of the problem.

To accuse (as, essentially, those e-fits do) you need the background and context of a police investigation to release them.

So you are saying they couldn't release the e-fits because they looked like Gerry?

[G-Unit]

The mechanisms of due process and accusing are quite different in England than Portugal.

That might be part of the problem.

To accuse (as, essentially, those e-fits do) you need the background and context of a police investigation to release them.

So when Edgar released an e-fit of the Australian woman who is alleged to have asked someone if they had a child for her he wasn't accusing her of anything? What were the McCanns doing paying an artist to produce e-fits from Gail Cooper's descriptions and issuing them to the press? Both the PJ and LP were investigating at the time and both were by-passed. As 'call me Stu' told Paiva;

I was informed that it was probable that the photo fit made by Gail Cooper would reach the press during the weekend. I will inform you of the consequences of this next week in spite of the fact that we are not in any way involved in this.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/POWERPOINT.htm

[Brietta]

So you are saying they couldn't release the e-fits because they looked like Gerry?

If one looks at one of those efits in particular it is a dead ringer for someone whose image has appeared in the Portuguese press of late in relation to other cases ... quite unmistakeably so.

Beauty may very well be in the eye of the beholder.

[G-Unit]

If one looks at one of those efits in particular it is a dead ringer for someone whose image has appeared in the Portuguese press of late in relation to other cases ... quite unmistakeably so.

Beauty may very well be in the eye of the beholder.

If, however, the e-fit is of the man seen by the Smiths, his height and build bear no relationship to the person I think you mean. You have to consider the whole person, not just the face.

[sadie]

If one looks at one of those efits in particular it is a dead ringer for someone whose image has appeared in the Portuguese press of late in relation to other cases ... quite unmistakeably so.

Beauty may very well be in the eye of the beholder.

I think that the one image is a dead ringer of Paulo Perriera Cristovao, but I doubt that it is him

[Brietta]

I think that the one image is a dead ringer of Paulo Perriera Cristovao, but I doubt that it is him

I definitely do not think for a minute that it is him (and that is not a tongue in cheek assertion) but in my opinion had he sat for the artist there could not have been a closer resemblance. 

[pathfinder73]

I think that the one image is a dead ringer of Paulo Perriera Cristovao, but I doubt that it is him

It was a man who was there on the night and had no car but he was wearing a watch. The watch is very important to get his false alibi IMO.

[sadie]

It was a man who was there on the night and had no car but he was wearing a watch. The watch is very important to get his false alibi IMO.

He was wearing a watch, was he?

Gawd stone the crows!  How strange *&*%£

[stephen25000]

He was wearing a watch, was he?

Gawd stone the crows!  How strange *&*%£

and what of you mentioning the illuminati and Dan Brown in this case ?

[Eleanor]

Okay.  Enough.   Back On Topic.

[ferryman]

So you are saying they couldn't release the e-fits because they looked like Gerry?

No.

I'm saying they couldn't release the e-fits because they needed a live and on-going police enquiry to do so.

[ferryman]

Okay.  Enough.   Back On Topic.

Apologies.

Aside from the word 'admit' (why would anyone 'admit' to something there is no earthly reason to be ashamed of)?

Kate was right, and the title of the opening post reflects what Kate says.

Is there anything to debate?

[Carana]

I am still waiting for someone to point out to me the relevant article in the penal code that private attempts to provide the PJ with information that may assist the investigation are illegal, per se.

[ShiningInLuz]

I am still waiting for someone to point out to me the relevant article in the penal code that private attempts to provide the PJ with information that may assist the investigation are illegal, per se.

Why?

Are you asking about a situation where I go to the PJ to volunteer information that has come to my attention and is relevant to the investigation?  If I know a crime has been perpetrated, should I not report it?

The thread topic is conducting a private criminal investigation in Portugal, and the info in Kate's book that this is illegal.

If anyone can come up with a private investigation in Portugal known to the police, then the question would be answered.

Sifting through the entire penal code, translating it accurately, analysing the result, merely to work out if such an investigation is explicitly prohibited or instead effectively prohibited by a collection of combined articles sounds like an arduous task for very limited reward.

[Mr Gray]

Why?

Are you asking about a situation where I go to the PJ to volunteer information that has come to my attention and is relevant to the investigation?  If I know a crime has been perpetrated, should I not report it?

The thread topic is conducting a private criminal investigation in Portugal, and the info in Kate's book that this is illegal.

If anyone can come up with a private investigation in Portugal known to the police, then the question would be answered.

Sifting through the entire penal code, translating it accurately, analysing the result, merely to work out if such an investigation is explicitly prohibited or instead effectively prohibited by a collection of combined articles sounds like an arduous task for very limited reward.

then the question has not been answered and it is incorrect to make any claims one way or the other