Latest Expert Witness News

Madeleine McCann: Expert evidence reviewed in Channel 4 documentary

Last night Channel 4’s Dispatches broadcast an in-depth investigation into the evidence surrounding the McCann case, which has shroud the highest profile abduction in mystery and suspicion.

The documentary followed five British criminal investigation experts as they analysed the state of the 6-month inquiry in Prai da Luz. With 134 years of experience between them and expertise in forensics, searching, profiling and media management, learned in dozens of UK cases, the team detailed how they would have responded to Madeleine’s disappearance.Looking at a range of possible theories as to what happened back in May and the 168 days since the incident, the experts sifted fact from faction.

Dismissing the possibility that Madeleine could have wandered off on her own and remaining sceptical about the DNA found in the back of Kate and Gerry McCann’s car, they suggest that the girl was abducted in a complex that is described as a ‘pervert’s paradise.’ But what concerns the experts most, is the overall poor handling of the investigation by Portuguese Police.

The experts' review of the Portuguese inquiry was led by retired Detective Chief Superintendent Chris Stevenson, who headed the Soham investigation into the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002.He was joined by police media specialist Matt Tapp, who handled the media for the Soham murder inquiry. Also, Gary Lig, previously from West Yorkshire Police, who has advised on search plans in more than 100 murders and disappearances. Professor David Canter, Director of Investigative Psychology at Liverpool University, is one of Britain's foremost behavioural profilers, making the fourth expert to give his opinion in the documentary. And finally the team included Professor Dave Barclay, a leading forensic scientist who has worked on 215 'cold case' murders in the past six years.The team of experts looked at three major theories – could Madeleine have wondered off on her own?

Could she have been abducted? Or did her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann have something to do with their daughter’s disappearance as many suspect?

Theory 1 – Could Madeleine have wondered off?This possibility was immediately rejected by Professor David Canter. After visiting the McCann’s holiday complex he is insistent that if she had woken up, she would have gone in the direction of the pool, where her parents were dining. This route is well lit and she would have been drawn to the welcoming reception area. She would have been spotted and rescued by and adult.

Theory 2 – Could the parent’s have had something to do with it?This is an increasingly popular theory, ever since Police suspected Kate and Gerry McCann in September. ‘Three out of four deaths are at the hands of the family,’ says retired Detective Chief Superintendent, Chris Stevenson.

All experts feel that this is where the Portuguese Police have gone wrong, neglecting to immediately interview the parents and corner off the apartment for forensic evidence. In fact, any forensic evidence found was only central to the case much later on.The DNA evidence that has been found in the apartment and the McCanns’ hire car 25 days after Madeleine disappeared, fuelled suspicion of the parents.However, forensic expert, Prof David Barclay is sceptical. As Madeleine was known to have cut her knee during the holiday, it would not be unusual to find traces of her DNA in the apartment and on her clothing, which could have been transferred onto other items. It remains to work out how that DNA was transported to the vehicle Kate and Gerry hired weeks later.What the experts find more significant is the poor management by the Police once the alarm was raised that Madeleine had gone missing. The first hour, known as the ‘Golden Hour,’ is considered vital to find a child in such<

back