So without any real evidence, to decide early on that the McCanns should be investigated was wrong but to decide early on the Madeleine was abducted was right.
They knew nothing about dogs and misinterpreted the information given.
They nothing about DNA analysis and misinterpreted the information given.
They knew nothing about looking for missing children and misinterpreted the information given.
**snip
The Home Office agency, which describes itself as 'part of the police service', aims to improve police use of information, evidence and science and to support operations.
It is understood to have provided Portuguese police with a 'checklist' of how to proceed.
A spokesman said last night: 'In disappearance cases it is common for the NPIA to advise officers to consider the possibility of the involvement of family and close friends.
'This is good practice for investigating cases. The NPIA gave similar generic advice to Portuguese police.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250084/How-letter-UK-police-turned-spotlight-Kate-Gerry-McCann.html#ixzz3RepuElrk They were given the "generic advice" from the Home Office when it became obvious that they were floundering without a clue about conducting a missing child inquiry ... quite obviously ... they did not have a clue.
But they couldn't even follow the simple guidelines properly.