The reconstitution, lost opportunity or a folly?

[John]

When police chief Paulo Rebelo took over the investigation from Gonçalo Amaral he attempted a reconstitution of the events which occurred the evening that Madeleine McCann disappeared. In the event however, as most of the English witnesses refused to travel back to Praia da Luz to take part in the reconstitution, it never happened.

Was this a crucial opportunity lost forever?

46

[faithlilly]

He was firmly behind a reconstitution and the requestioning of the McCann’s friends. You don’t requestion people you believe have told you everything they know.

[Vertigo Swirl]

IMO the reconstitution was not about trying to find Madeleine but only about finding evidence to pin the blame on the parents, therefore why would anyone in their right minds have agreed to take part in it, being asked to reenact a series of deeply traumatic events in the hope that something comes out of it to reinforce the police’s belief that you or your friends are involved. 

[misty]

He was firmly behind a reconstition and the requestioning of the McCann’s friends. You don’t requestion people you believe have told you everything they know.

Alternatively maybe he did believe their version of events but needed to cement that belief, for his superiors, by reconstructing the timeline.

[faithlilly]

Then you must agree the reconstitution was not about trying to find Madeleine but only about finding evidence to pin the blame on the parents, therefore why would anyone in their right minds have agreed to take part in it, being asked to reenact a series of deeply traumatic events in the hope that something comes out of it to reinforce the police’s belief that you or your friends are involved.

That’s a different topic altogether and if you want to discuss that can I suggest that you open another thread ?

[faithlilly]

You asked whether any of Amaral’s thinking could be trusted ( to paraphrase) I merely pointed out that Rebelo appeared to agree with him on the big issues.

[Vertigo Swirl]

You asked whether any of Amaral’s thinking could be trusted ( to paraphrase) I merely pointed out that Rebelo appeared to agree with him on the big issues.

We have no information whatsoever on Rebelo’s thinking so your post is pure speculation. 

[faithlilly]

So why do you think he requested a reconstitution and requestioning of the friends ?

As to him being a footnote, he was the coordinator longer than Amaral..

[John]

IMO the reconstitution was not about trying to find Madeleine but only about finding evidence to pin the blame on the parents, therefore why would anyone in their right minds have agreed to take part in it, being asked to reenact a series of deeply traumatic events in the hope that something comes out of it to reinforce the police’s belief that you or your friends are involved.

Isn't that the whole point of the reconstitution, to establish who is telling the truth, who is lying and who if anyone should be charged?

[Robittybob1]

From memory it was ....... who was the only one who flatly refused to attend.   Of all the people, it is hard pressed to say what she did so wrong that she would refuse to go.

[Vertigo Swirl]

Isn't that the whole point of the reconstitution, to establish who is telling the truth, who is lying and who if anyone should be charged?

I don’t see how that could have been established when there are so many minor variables from so many different witnesses.  Can you actually envisage an outcome from a reconstitution in this case which would have established either who was tellng the truth or who was lying and who should be charged?  Because I certainly can’t.  Furthermore, I personally find it rather offensive and cruel to make the victims of a traumatic crime  (yes - victims, for that’s what I think they are, not body occulters and co-conspirators) re-live the experience simply to satisfy the police that they are telling the truth.  You may as well throw them in a river and see if they drown to establish their innocence for the good this reconstitution would  have achieved. IMO.

[slartibartfast]

I don’t see how that could have been established when there are so many minor variables from so many different witnesses.  Can you actually envisage an outcome from a reconstitution in this case which would have established either who was tellng the truth or who was lying and who should be charged?  Because I certainly can’t.  Furthermore, I personally find it rather offensive and cruel to make the victims of a traumatic crime  (yes - victims, for that’s what I think they are, not body occulters and co-conspirators) re-live the experience simply to satisfy the police that they are telling the truth.  You may as well throw them in a river and see if they drown to establish their innocence for the good this reconstitution would  have achieved. IMO.

Personal incredulity couple with an appeal to emotion. You don’t appear to be addressing the fact that the PJ wanted to do a reconstitution as provided for in the Portuguese Legal System, and this did not happen as elements within the T9 questioned its purpose and refused to attend. It’s not a question of what good was it, it is more a question of what harm it would do. No stone unturned.

[Vertigo Swirl]

Personal incredulity couple with an appeal to emotion. You don’t appear to be addressing the fact that the PJ wanted to do a reconstitution as provided for in the Portuguese Legal System, and this did not happen as elements within the T9 questioned its purpose and refused to attend. It’s not a question of what good was it, it is more a question of what harm it would do. No stone unturned.

The Portuguese Legal System is an ass IMO, and I have given a reason why I think it would have done more harm than good.  Please feel free to categorize my response in any way you see fit.

[G-Unit]

I don’t see how that could have been established when there are so many minor variables from so many different witnesses.  Can you actually envisage an outcome from a reconstitution in this case which would have established either who was tellng the truth or who was lying and who should be charged?  Because I certainly can’t.  Furthermore, I personally find it rather offensive and cruel to make the victims of a traumatic crime  (yes - victims, for that’s what I think they are, not body occulters and co-conspirators) re-live the experience simply to satisfy the police that they are telling the truth.  You may as well throw them in a river and see if they drown to establish their innocence for the good this reconstitution would  have achieved. IMO.

I think you underestimate the resilience of this particular couple. They continued to follow the same routine after their daughter disappeared without appearing to be upset by her absence at all.

20th May 2007
17.00-17.30 Meet kids for high tea with other mums and dads. They love pasta and have been doing really well with their vegetables although a few chips have been squeezed in.

 17.30-18.30. Games with kids at play area. Amelie loves trying to get in the baby pool!
http://www.gerrymccannsblogs.co.uk/DAYS_1_to_50.htm

[kizzy]

well why not do the reconstruction - for the benefit of maddie.

Yes they kept there routine - even twins back in creche

I Can't see how you can keep up a routine they did - when your little girl going through god knows what.

Eating sleeping life carrying on as normal - imo to normal.