Bonjour! How are you?

Are you saying there was none of Madeleine’s DNA available in the apartment, on her clothes, towels, sheets, cuddle cat etc. etc?? Mmmmmm…almost as if the child had never existed. (Wonder how Stevo is, by the way?!!)

Or are you saying the police didn’t bother looking for any? Weellll…..they knew who had done it anyway, didn’t they? Why not just do without evidence?

Anyway, one of those policemen has just been convicted of tampering with evidence, one way or another. Doesn’t seem to have a lot of respect for evidence, maybe. Why bother with collecting DNA?

Have you seem his film, by the way? Hilarious, if it wasn’t about such a tragic case. Says the body was stuffed in the wardrobe or hidden on the beach….handy rock pool, maybe? Almost an admission that his men didn’t bother searching at all, never mind collecting DNA!

However, DNA can be manipulated or tainted by unscrupulous police, medical examiner labs or through just sloppy police or lab work. Remember the infamous OJ Simpson murder case? One of the issues brought up by the Defense was the blood collected at the scene and strict rules governing the handling of evidence was not followed by the police. That gave justifiable doubt for the jury if OJ committed those murders along with some other justifiable doubts.

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Moderator - Countdown

I think what she actually meant was; ‘what utter dogs bollocks’ ………. of course, and the odd bitch!

Moderator - pesky mutts? too many cats

Moderator - What utter bollocks! its water and stale crusts

Night John Boy, Sue Ellen etc.

“States have different laws concerning DNA tests. Some accept all forms of the tests (there are other methods besides the RFLP and PCR, but they aren’t as precise or accurate) while others, like California, will accept only the RFLP test because of its greater accuracy. Some states allow DNA test evidence to be admitted freely; others take a more cautious approach and examine the benefits of a test during each trial.

tabIn 1994, President Clinton signed the DNA Identification Act which has many benefits. Under the new law, the Federal government has issued grants to various states to develop new forensic research laboratories (crime labs where DNA tests are given and studied). The act also initiated a national DNA index in which all states have access. The index is run by the FBI who established the Forensic Science Research and Training Center several years ago. A DNA standards advisory board was created to establish certain guidelines forensics laboratories must follow, as well. “

Please remember they were not ‘after’ Hewlett, they made it plain he was one of several ‘persons of interest’ only and they wanted to talk with him to rule him out or in. The only persons ‘after’ Hewlett are the disgraceful UK newspapers.

Maria CuddleCat wasn’t washed till after 7 (SEVEN!) weeks. Yes, plenty of time to investigate the thing if they’d wanted to. And even though one of the dogs (Eddie) barked at it, they didn’t take it to the Forensics Institute to test it.

Cheryl I was in a generous mood when I posted. Of course it’s a disgrace they didn’t swap the apartment right away thoroughly looking for DNA. It’s a miracle they’ve found anything at all after the time that elapsed between the McCann rental and the search. Remember it was cleaned and also re-rented three or four times,.
I think it’s only the papers (UK papers that is) speculating about Hewletts DNA getting tested to the unknown DNA found in the apartment. The German authorities never said anything of the kind. It’s related to the old cold case in the ’70’s.

Châtelaine, if you say so
Did they take DNA in the 70’s? Or on the last time he got convicted and went to jail?
When did they set up a DNA database in the UK?
Best to be sure about that before assuming they’ve already got his DNA.
In fact I very much doubt that, because if they’ve got it, they could have eliminated him regarding the old case (or be sure he’s the one they are looking for).

PS wanna bet there’s plenty more ‘old’ posters who sometimes have a look over here? :hi:

Moderator - a bit of a read :

http://library.thinkquest.org/28599/courtroom.htm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/3852658/Rapists-can-seek-to-be-taken-off-sex-offenders-register-to-protect-human-rights.htm

And, yes, Peter there was something completely wrong with providing DNA samples for Madeleine: nothing to be found in Praia da Luz.
As they say in my circles: “my foot!”.

Truthfully, I feel sorry for the Portugese Police as a whole as this case is going to forever leave a ‘mark’ on them. But yet the hierarchy didn’t step in to make a change when they should have!