What If. What if Kate had not discovered Madeleine missing that night?

[Miss Taken Identity]

As Spammy said, problem with alibi. The Mcanns would have none, except each other, which wouldn't count for much.
The trail would have been much colder, an abductor having been long gone across borders, if such was the case.
People on here have gone on about 'the golden hour'. Well, in that scenario  that hour could have been up to 10 hours previously, so PJ would be at considerable disadvantage.
There wouldn't have been any searching in the dark, of course, so perhaps a better coordinated approach to that.

I agree with this explanation.

"Good job that door kept moving & the wind blew it shut or Kate would not have visually checked at all, and Madeleine might not have been discovered missing until the morning".

Indeed it was very fortuitous, and wholly unbelievable they all knew the exact measurement of a door...
Of course there is no independent witnesses who saw Maddie alive since daytime activities... by independent I don't include any tapas.

[jassi]

I agree with this explanation.

"Good job that door kept moving & the wind blew it shut or Kate would not have visually checked at all, and Madeleine might not have been discovered missing until the morning".

Indeed it was very fortuitous, and wholly unbelievable they all knew the exact measurement of a door...
Of course there is no independent witnesses who saw Maddie alive since daytime activities... by independent I don't include any tapas.

Not sure about that - Gerry give me the impression that he is sufficiently anal to go around measuring door angles

[pathfinder73]

He certainly shows the way 

[Robittybob1]

He certainly shows the way 

If it is one of the clues they are used to using I don't blame them.