in Correio da Manha today:
http://www.correiodamanha.pt/noticia.asp?id=258662&idselect=9&idCanal=9&p=200
Copied from:
http://helpmadeleine.proboards79.com/index.cgi?board=latest&action=display&thread=1182386581&page=31 post #455
Madeleine McCann case
Scientist contradicts parents’ explanations
Antonio Amorim, the vice director of the Pathology and Immunology Institute at Oporto University, defends that DNA transference from a piece of clothing or from a sandal into the boot of a car is “virtually impossible”. The scientist guaranteed to CM that the hypothesis is merely academic and that he does not believe it could happen.
The issue was now raised by English newspapers which, citing from sources close to the McCann family, guarantee there are “innocent” explanations for the presence of DNA from Maddie in the car that was rented by the couple. One of them is the fact that the family moved houses (they left the Ocean Club and rented a villa in Praia da Luz), and ferried all the family’s belongings in the car boot. Madeleine’s sandals would have been inside the vehicle, and her biological residues would have transferred into the car.
“Theoretically, there can be contamination. But the hypothesis is virtually impossible, as the quality of the residue would have to be acceptable. There would also have to be perfect moisture conditions for the transference to occur, which is only possible in academical terms”, the scientist assures, also refuting the other explanation that was advanced by the child’s parents yesterday, that some of the collected residues could come from their twin children.
“When one tries to reconstruct DNA, one searches for target areas. A person’s DNA has a large interindividual diversity, something that is completely different, even among siblings. There is a kind of tombola among that which is transmitted to us from our parents, and it would be a gross mistake from the laboratory to mistake the DNA from the other children. It is again virtually impossible, as we are dealing with one of the world’s more prestigious labs.”
Antonio Amorim also stresses that he understands the delay from the English specialists in obtaining results. “They can, and they should take a lot of time. That is precisely what guarantees us there are high levels of reliability”, the specialist says, assuring he understands why the authorities have asked London to perform the tests. “It was an excellent option. Because it is a reference lab, and it is almost impossible to contest the results.”
PGR says there will be new diligences
The district general prosecutor of Evora, Luis Bilro Verao, released a statement yesterday about the Maddie case, guaranteeing that “no new interrogations were determined” from Maddie’s parents, because no new evidence has been collected. That diligence would have to be made in Portugal, and the prosecutor said nothing about the requests for clarification and evidence collection that will be made by a request letter to England. The prosecutor added, in a short note that clarifies very little, that the authorities “do not exclude any investigation line”.
“Diligences within the inquiry will proceed […] which will be developed according to the plan that has been established between both entities”, the prosecutor adds, confirming that, as the presupposition of the application of ‘termo de identidade e residencia’ have not changed, “the alteration of the coercion measure has not been promoted, as it has been considered the adequate measure according to the elements that have been collected”.
Couple fears having their cellphones under surveillance in England
Kate and Gerry fear that their cellphones may be under surveillance. This was the most recent of a new wave of news in the English press, which have been focusing more on the investigation than on the drama of the disappearance of the McCann couple’s daughter.
The re-entrance on scene by aide Clarence Mitchell, the day before yesterday, coincides with the new pattern. ‘The Sun’ publishes the alleged dismissal of DNA evidence that was collected by Portuguese police. The ‘Daily Mail’ published an article about rumours against the McCanns that would have started “hours after” the disappearance of Madeleine. It concludes that “the defamation campaign has failed and the McCanns’ friends question whether the police really searched for a kidnapper”. In the afternoon, the same newspaper revealed that the couple feared that their cellphones were under surveillance, and that their lawyers assumed that all conversations by electronic means were not safe. The couple even believes that this surveillance started in Portugal and continues in England.
A listing of the main titles makes the English press’ tone over the last few days clear: “We can explain DNA in our car”, “Police cannot prove Madeleine’s death”, or “Immediate mistakes may have compromised the inquiry”.
The ‘Daily Mirror’ revealed that Gerry has regained contact with the British prime minister through an aide. The next step is the campaign to refocus on the search of Madeleine’s kidnapper.
DETAILS
The explanations that are now advanced by “close sources” of the McCanns in order to justify the DNA matches that were found inside the car are new to the Portuguese investigators. This had never been said during the interrogations, and Kate did not answer those questions.
The McCanns’ lawyers are building their defense against DNA evidence and cadaver odour, based on other judicial cases. The couple’s defense team will meet with the lawyers of the alleged Omagh bomber, who has not been convicted yet because of controversy over DNA evidence.
Madeleine’s disappearance will originate a movie. There are not concrete details about the movie yet, but actors Russell Crowe and Kate Blanchett are being named for the roles of Gerry and Kate. Two major movie production companies are fighting for the movie.
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The elements of Policia Judiciaria did not travel to London the day before yesterday, as was reported by several newspapers.
The process is still in Portimao’s courthouse. It has not been returned to Policia Judiciaria yet, which awaits its reception in order to resume diligences.
The Policia Judiciaria has not written the request letter yet, which will ask for new interrogations and searches at the McCanns’ house.
Clarence Mitchell, the new McCann aide, abandoned a salary that is equivalent to one hundred thousand euros per year, in order to assure the family’s defense.
