Scotland Yard announce that Maddie investigation team cut to four officers.

[Miss Taken Identity]

Not at all. There are degrees of suffering. Just as there ar degrees of murder or rape them are worse then the other even if the law does not recognise it. Obviously being abducted from your bed and cared for in a loving manner would be most preferable but still traumatic. Goes without saying imo.

So you would agree that Maddie did come to some harm and not what her lying parents said there is no evidence she came to no harm even thougth they claim they do not know what happened to her?

But they decided that whatever happened to her, Amarals book did cause her harm? and they were seeking money for that harm?

Even typing it gives me the creeps.

[Brietta]

They seek him here, they seek him there, those mccann supporters seek him everywhere......

Indeed.
 ... and if Mr Amaral had spent a little more of his time seeking him rather than formulating his theories and which chapter of the book  would fit them best it is perfectly possible Scotland Yard and the Policia Judicairia would not have had to spend the past four and a half years playing catch up on his omissions.

I would say that now that all the donkey work has been accomplished it has been deemed appropriate that four dedicated detectives who can call in back-up if required will be able to cope with their ongoing enquiries.

That is the magic word ... ongoing ... isn't it great that continues to be done, hopefully with a positive conclusion. 

[Brietta]

Progress could be interpreted as the elimination of countless 'persons of interest' from the investigation.

Part if the investigative process is doing just that ... eliminating suspects and people of interest ... the fact they had to accomplish that four years after Madeleine disappeared evidences that it hadn't already been done.

[Brietta]

Indeed. Read into the word 'disappearance' what you will. Taken at face value it means she's disappeared. How this occurred has not been ascertained. The news really does not give us much information other then the investigation is ongoing. From what I understand it is quite natural for an investigation to wind down to minimal staff once the main leg work has been done. It could mean they are closing in and a few trusted investigators are left to deal with loose ends. Hmmm, what does seem obvious to me is if there is or are to be any prosecutions that will come from the Portuguese as they are lead investigators. If I was asked for a prediction I believe this case will be solved within the next 20 years if ever - pure guess of course.

I am more hopeful than the twenty year delay ... as those who have lived through such a time lapse without knowledge if their missing child is alive or dead would probably agree.

However, if the present investigation is forced to wind down because there is nowhere else to go Madeleine McCann's parents and loved ones will have some comfort that unprecedented efforts were made on her behalf by Scotland Yard and the Policia Judicairia to find her, unlike the initial investigation.

[lordpookles]

So you would agree that Maddie did come to some harm and not what her lying parents said there is no evidence she came to no harm even thougth they claim they do not know what happened to her?

But they decided that whatever happened to her, Amarals book did cause her harm? and they were seeking money for that harm?

Even typing it gives me the creeps.

I'd agree that is extremely likely that Madeleine has came to some form of harm - of course I hope in the interests of her wellbeing that, that harm is minimal. I'm fairly sure I know we can all agree on that. What I don't think you know is that the parents are lying. You may believe they are, but that is different from knowing, because you simply do not know! I don't think you are an awful person - far from it, but I do believe you are blinkered in being so sure of yourself(it is imo a belief rather then a logical deduction) as I believe many are on both sides of the equation. Whether or not you are right is imo immaterial as the information in the public domain doesn't allow a definitive conclusion. Also, before you slag off the McCanns too much for taking Amaral to the courts please factor in this is a guy has been taken to court and been prosecuted for being complicit in torture!(if i am correct). What I find perplexing is the dogmatic belief on both sides of the equation in this case. My view is I believe it is unlikely the McCanns are involved mainly going on probability and I know far more about working probabilities/statistics then you might imagine  Of course I remain quite open to that not being the case. I might also change my mind about that next week...next 6 months...

[lordpookles]

I am more hopeful than the twenty year delay ... as those who have lived through such a time lapse without knowledge if their missing child is alive or dead would probably agree.

However, if the present investigation is forced to wind down because there is nowhere else to go Madeleine McCann's parents and loved ones will have some comfort that unprecedented efforts were made on her behalf by Scotland Yard and the Policia Judicairia to find her, unlike the initial investigation.

Hope so too  Just a guess...

[faithlilly]

The use of the word 'disappearance' in SY's official statement is interesting. According to supporters Redwood had decided as long ago as 2012 that Madeleine ' had been abducted by a stranger' so why, even if they still don't know who that stranger was, wasn't the word abducted used today ?

[pathfinder73]

I'd agree that is extremely likely that Madeleine has came to some form of harm - of course I hope in the interests of her wellbeing that, that harm is minimal. I'm fairly sure I know we can all agree on that. What I don't think you know is that the parents are lying. You may believe they are, but that is different from knowing, because you simply do not know! I don't think you are an awful person - far from it, but I do believe you are blinkered in being so sure of yourself(it is imo a belief rather then a logical deduction) as I believe many are on both sides of the equation. Whether or not you are right is imo immaterial as the information in the public domain doesn't allow a definitive conclusion. Also, before you slag off the McCanns too much for taking Amaral to the courts please factor in this is a guy has been taken to court and been prosecuted for being complicit in torture!(if i am correct). What I find perplexing is the dogmatic belief on both sides of the equation in this case. My view is I believe it is unlikely the McCanns are involved mainly going on probability and I know far more about working probabilities/statistics then you might imagine  Of course I remain quite open to that not being the case. I might also change my mind about that next week...next 6 months...

One line of enquiry is Smithman so it's time to get to the heart of the matter. Lookalikes come and meet the 4 inherently good detectives

[pegasus]

Looks like maybe they didn't really go back to square one like they said they would, but instead fell for the same old assumptions like "disappeared from the apartment between whatever and 10"

[mercury]

My personal view is it is unlikely they are to get a conviction without a body whoever committed the crime. Given that thought I think we are hoping that someone stumbles across her body or she herself escapes from whatever prison or life she now leads and revealed herself to the media. Saying that the McCanns or someone else could be arrested tomorrow, but obviously I'm just wildly speculating.

You didnt answer my question though of why you think it will be 20 years lordy

[mercury]

Indeed.
 ... and if Mr Amaral had spent a little more of his time seeking him rather than formulating his theories and which chapter of the book  would fit them best it is perfectly possible Scotland Yard and the Policia Judicairia would not have had to spend the past four and a half years playing catch up on his omissions.

I would say that now that all the donkey work has been accomplished it has been deemed appropriate that four dedicated detectives who can call in back-up if required will be able to cope with their ongoing enquiries.

That is the magic word ... ongoing ... isn't it great that continues to be done, hopefully with a positive conclusion.

Still no concrete evidence or otherwise that the so called abductor is NOT a phantom  of yours  and others imagnations...not  a shred or iota ergo you have no right  to proclaim anythg as fact do you? No you  do not

[lordpookles]

You didnt answer my question though of why you think it will be 20 years lordy

I pretty much plucked that number out of the air tbh... although, if there is no resolution this time around I guess it's gonna be a long time before the case is reopened without fresh evidence...

[mercury]

Yes how bloody disgusting of the parents of a missing child to point out that there is no evidence that their child has come to any harm and to cling on to the hope that she may be found alive and unharmed - bloody nutters should be ashamed of themselves!!!!!

Jesus.

Is there anything you people won't use as a weapon against these parents?

please list the circumstances in where a missing child of 9 years is unharmed and well ta

[mercury]

I pretty much plucked that number out of the air tbh... although, if there is no resolution this time around I guess it's gonna be a long time before the case is reopened without fresh evidence...

Oh right, ok, thanks

Ps there will be no resolution aka some phantom abductor

[mercury]

The use of the word "disappearance" by the police greatly excites the "sceptic" community,

What excites the not at all skeptical under any circumstances whatsoever as theres always an inncent answer
 community?