Madeleine McCann new DNA hope: Curtains may hold key to who took her.

[Alice Purjorick]

Simply because, so far,  none of the forensic tests applied have produced a lead to the perpetrator.
Obviously forensics play an important role in modern crime solving, but do not always come up with the goods.

And of course more than one conviction has been declared unsafe because of flaky forensics.

[jassi]

Occasion is the context.

Modern forensics (frequently) have much to offer, but not always.

On all balances, we should welcome modern forensics and be glad when they unlock the key to solving crime.

I don't think anyone would scorn them, but it is wise to recognise their limitations.

[Carana]

Simply because, so far,  none of the forensic tests applied have produced a lead to the perpetrator.
Obviously forensics play an important role in modern crime solving, but do not always come up with the goods.

No, but there wasn't a thorough finger-tip search done at the time which might have revealed more traces even though the scene had been contaminated. CCTV might have been a major asset, if any had existed in PdL / not been wiped. On a more positive note, there are still a lot of samples that might yield results with new techniques.

If you think back to even the mid-80s, the state of forensic science at the time seems positively primitive. A crime scene sample with just a blood-type could be a nail in the coffin of a suspect who happened to share it.

There was an interesting research paper on the subject written by a Portuguese academic. From memory, it discussed the dichotomy between how different media approach forensics. One the one hand, serious media can present it as informative and educational, but then the tabloids and programmes such as CSI over-sex it, leading to misconceptions as to what can realistically be expected. It's online in Portuguese if anyone is interested, and I think there's an abstract in English somewhere.

[John]

Oh sweet baby Jesus, 7 years later and 10+ million pounds spent and SY are pinning their hopes on a set of curtains ??
If it wasn't so serious it would be almost funny !!

Thing is though, even if DNA from a suspect already identified or even as yet unidentified is found on the curtains or in hairs collected from 5a, that in itself does not prove that they were involved in the abduction of Madeleine.  Such a match would have to be supported by other evidence if a case for prosecution were to be possible.

Contamination aside, matching DNA samples could very well place an individual in apartment 5a before 4 May 2007 but if that individual had another reason for being there, innocent or otherwise,  then that again could rule him out.

Apologies Carana, I note you have already covered this.

[jassi]

Thing is though, even if DNA from a suspect already identified or even as yet unidentified is found on the curtains or in hairs collected from 5a, that in itself does not prove that they were involved in the abduction of Madeleine.  Such a match would have to be supported by other evidence if a case for prosecution were to be possible.

Contamination aside, matching DNA samples could very well place an individual in apartment 5a before 4 May 2007 but if that individual had another reason for being there, innocent or otherwise,  then that again could rule him out.

I imagine that there could be dozens of people who's DNA might easily be found there for perfectly legitimate reasons - cleaners, maintenance, previous guests, police, Tapas 9, etc, etc, etc
All would need to be eliminated  and some may have moved away and be difficult to trace.

[John]

I imagine that there could be dozens of people who's DNA might easily be found there for perfectly legitimate reasons - cleaners, maintenance, previous guests, police, Tapas 9, etc, etc, etc
All would need to be eliminated  and some may have moved away and be difficult to trace.

There could also be burglars DNA in the apartment since we know the apartments were a prime target.

[Mr Gray]

And of course more than one conviction has been declared unsafe because of flaky forensics.

of course if flaky forensics...such as 15 alleles and dogs alert without corroboration...point to the mccanns then all normal rules of flaky forensics no longer apply and flaky forensics become solid evidence

[jassi]

I don't think anyone is saying that - other than you.

[Mr Gray]

I don't think anyone is saying that - other than you.

Oh yes they do...stupid as it may seem

[John]

Forensics can only take us so far even today but after seven long years I don't see SY getting any closer to solving Madeleine's disappearance.

[John]

British researchers intend to reassess the curtain of the room where Maddie slept.

Correio da /Manhã
27/10/2014

By Rui Gomes Pando



 It's a piece of curtain room where Maddie slept and was thoroughly analyzed by experts Portuguese in 2007. It is this piece of fabric that British police want to now take England to be analyzed by a private laboratory, because he believes could be the key to the mystery of the disappearance of British child.

 The British want to re-examine everything that was found by Portuguese police in the apartment 5A at the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz, Lagos.  Investigators believe whoever took the child from the room will have left traces of DNA on the curtain.

 The piece of fabric that is saved in the process, was subjected to various tests by experts from the National Institute of Legal Medicine.  At the time, know the CM, we assessed the presence of blood, hair and semen.  No trace, precluding comparison with DNA profiles were found.  However, the British say, seven years later, can use new techniques to detect DNA.  Also want to re-examine 30 strands of hair found in the house, using new genetic and biological tests.

 The request for revaluation of traces will be made to the Public Ministry of Portimão through sixth letter of request, although still no response to the fifth order there.  The Portuguese authorities have warned the British, at a meeting two weeks ago that the techniques used in Portugal are equal or more sophisticated than those used in England.

www.translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&u=http://www.cmjornal.xl.pt/nacional/portugal/detalhe/ingleses_querem_levar_cortinado.html&prev=search

[Carana]

Erm... I think CdaM is a bit confused about the bedroom curtain having been thoroughly tested by the INML.

It isn't even mentioned in the PJ forensic team's report, let alone bagged and sent for analysis.

However, as it states that they went around the apartment with a black torch, it is possible they waved a black torch at it at some point and didn't see anything suspicious. But that seems to be it.