Apartment 5A
Apartment 5A is located on the ground floor of one side of the Ocean Club complex, next to a road, with the front door opening onto an alleyway and carpark, and the back patio sliding doors leading to the road.
The McCanns stayed in Apartment 5A in the nights leading up to Madeleine's disappearance.
Apartment 5A was rented by the McCanns for their holiday in Portugal in 2007. They arrived at the apartment on 28th April.
Taken from www.mccannfiles.com :
The apartment is owned by Ruth Margaret McCann, who is unrelated to the McCanns according to family spokesperson Clarence Mitchell.
The apartment A, number 5, locate at Rua Dr. Agostinho da Silva, Montes da Luz Urbanization, Praia da luz, is registered with the number 3666.
In 2001 the house was bought by a kind of society belonging to Daniel John Aldred, his daughter Donna Michelle Aldred (from his first marriage), Michael William McCann and his wife, Ruth Margaret McCann. Michael McCann born in Devonport, Plymouth was a widower when he married Margaret Ruth Pittaway, 53, who was also widowed in 1987. In 2005, Michael and Ruth bought the part of the Aldred couple giving each of them 50% of the apartment. Later in July 2006 Michael McCann died in Liverpool and in November of the same year Ruth McCann inherited his part becoming the only proprietor.
Martin Brunt, Sky News Crime Correspondent, said in his blog of 20 December 2007 that he had asked the McCanns spokesperson, Clarence Mitchell, why the apartment from where Madeleine disappeared was registered to an owner called McCann. Brunt says:
"I had to pester him for an answer, which only added to my suspicion that it was Gerry and Kate's second home and for some reason they had pretended it was a holiday rental. We finally nailed it. The place belongs to a Ruth McCann, a teacher in Liverpool (where Kate is from), who inherited it from her late husband. She told us she was no relation to Madeleine's family and hoped she wouldn't be pestered after my inquiry. In fact, she was more interested in learning whether she was likely to get compensation from the police who have, at last, kept the apartment as a locked crime scene. The chance of the McCanns renting a holiday home from someone of the same name is 7,500-to-one."
5A Floorplans
Views from the outside
Inside
Aerial Views
Sniffer Dogs : Eddie and Keela
Martin Grime is the British Dog Handler and Ex PC who searched the McCanns apartment on 31st July 2007 with his English Springer Spaniel dogs, specially trained to detect human odours and substances.
Martin Grime featured on TV in 2008 with his dogs Eddie and Keela
Cadaver Odour
Cadaver odour is the scent of decomposing flesh / a dead body.
Cadaver odour originates when microbes begin to eat up dead bodies.
Cadaver dogs are therefore, both able to locate human cadavers, and also locate areas in which a human cadaver has been.
As soon as a cadaver comes into contact with a surface or object, that surface or object is immediately contaminated with traces of cadaver odour i.e. a cadaver dog can determine that a cadaver has been in that location.
Cadaver odour can only be detected by humans if the odour is strong, in which case the body is either present or has decomposed heavily within the regarding area.
This makes cadaver dogs extremely useful as they can track the smallest of scents from a long distance.
Cadaver odour can cross-contaminate / spread over items that have touched a cadaver, to another item that hasn't, if the two come into close contact.
Cadaver odour cannot transfer onto an item without contact
Cadaver odour is not a visible substance.
Cadaver odour is not specific to an individual
Taken From www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk :
Cadaver scent cannot readily be removed by cleaning as the compounds adhere to surfaces.
The scent can be 'masked' by bleach and other strong smelling odours but the dog's olfactory system is able to isolate the odours and identify specific compounds' and mixes.
Cadaver scent contamination may be transferred in numerous scenarios. Any contact with a cadaver which is then passed to any other material may be recognised by the dog causing a 'trigger' indication.
Martin Grime on False Alerts
'False' positives are always a possibility; to date Eddie has not so indicated operationally or in training. In six years of operational deployment in over 200 criminal case searches the dog has never alerted to meat based and specifically pork foodstuffs designed for human consumption. Similarly the dog has never alerted to 'road kill', that is any other dead animal. My experience as a trainer is that false alerts are normally caused by handler cueing. All indications by the dog are preceded by a change in bahaviour. This increased handler confidence in the response. This procedure also stops handlers 'cueing' and indication. The dogs are allowed to 'free search' and investigate areas of interest. The handler does not influence their behaviour other than to direct the search.
Martin Grime on Sniffer Dogs : Eddie and Keela
A Statement from Martin Grime, Taken from CARTAS ROGATORIAS 3, Pages 21 to 25, Dated May 14 2008 :
I am a retired police officer, previously at the service of the South Yorkshire police.
Between August 1-8, 2007, and while working for the South Yorkshire police, I collaborated with the Judicial Police, Portugal, as regards their Operation Task Force. On the 17th of August 2007, I completed a report for the Head of Investigations of the Judicial Police, which was submitted by the Leicestershire Police. This report is exhibited as MG/1 and identified by the label bearing my signature. The Judicial Police are in possession of the originals of the search reports and the videos showing all searches performed and the reaction of the dogs. In addition to the report, Sam Harkeness of the Progresso Nacional Police Agency sent me by email several written questions sent by the Judicial Police together with a request for a written deposition. This deposition was submitted without me having seen or having knowledge of the final report from the forensic agency responsible for analyzing the evidence submitted in this case.
Could you explain the methodology regarding the performance of the dogs bearing in mind the searches that were performed?
Please refer to my original report included in the summary (MG/1).
Could you provide a detailed summary of the orientation capacity of the dogs, as well as an interpretation of the indications provided by them in the specific cases?
Please refer to my original report included in the summary (MG/1).
The interpretation of any alert is given when the dogs recognize a specific odour as a result of a response to the behaviour for which they were trained. This response must then be submitted to a forensic examination in order to draw conclusions.
In order to establish the accuracy of the dogs' performance with respect to the alerts given when recognizing blood and a body, to what extent are these indications viable in this particular case?
The dogs' alerts are to be considered as an area of interest or possible testing.
When specific and reliable this can only be measured for confirmation. In this case in particular, where the dogs alerted there was confirmation by positive results from the forensic examinations. It is the investigators' responsibility to apply the results of the forensic analysis to the suspects, witnesses and crime scenes.
Based upon the dogs' behaviour, is it possible to distinguish between a strong signal and a weak signal?
The dogs' passive CSI alert provides an indication as per their training and does not vary. They only give an alert when they are 'positive' that the target of the odour is present and immediately accessible. If they had any doubts they would not give an alert. EVRD gives an alert by means of a vocal bark. The variations in the vocal alert can be explained by many reasons such as 'thirst' or 'lack of air due to effort'. Every alert can be subject to interpretation, it has to be confirmed. The signals of an alert are only just that. Once the alert has been given by the dog, it is up to the investigator/forensic scientist to locate, identify and scientifically provide the evidence of DNA, etc.
Can you confirm if the signal given regarding the stuffed toy corresponds to a concrete alert of detection of a cadaver, or a mere trick played by the dog?
The dogs were not taught any 'tricks'. EVRD 'signalled' the toy, which at my request was retained by the Judicial Police for future forensic analysis. I have no knowledge of the results of any forensic analysis on the toy.
With respect to the cadaver odour on Kate's clothes, could it be undoubtedly affirmed that those clothes had been in contact with a cadaver?
OR
Could the alert have been given because the clothes had been in contact with other items of clothing, surfaces or objects that could previously have touched a cadaver, thereby allowing the odour to be transferred?
There is always a possibility of contamination of odours by transferrance. EVRD does not make a distinction; he responds with a certain behaviour for which he was trained when he recognizes an odour. He does not identify the reasons for the presence of the odour nor does he identify suspects. Forensic confirmation and specialized investigation methods will determine the reasons and the suspicions. In order to undoubtedly affirm there must be a confirmation of the alert signals made by the dog.
The EVRD dog also alerts to blood from a live human being or only from a cadaver?
The EVRD dog is trained using whole and disintegrated material, blood, bone tissue, teeth, etc. and decomposed cross-contaminants. The dog will recognize all or parts of a human cadaver. He is not trained for 'live' human odours; no trained dog will recognize the smell of 'fresh blood'. They find, however, and give the alert for dried blood from a live human being.
Taking into account the signals of CSI, could the dog alert to other biological fluids?
The dog that alerts to human blood is trained exclusively for this purpose, and includes its components, plasma, red cells, white cells and platelets. Given the nature of the training, the dog will not alert to urine, saliva, semen sweat, nasal secretion, vaginal secretion or human skin unless these are mixed with blood. The components of blood are approximately:
Red cells 40-50%
Plasma 55% (of which 95% is water)
White cells
Platelets
DNA can only be removed from white cells.
This would suggest that, of the samples signalled by the dog looking for human blood, approximately 5% are available for DNA tests.
Is there any chance, however remote, of any confusion?
The dogs do not get confused. They transmit a behavioural response inspired by the recognition of the odour for which they were trained.
How long does a cadaver have to be in contact with a surface or an object for the odour to be detected?
Cross-contamination is immediate.
How long can a trace of blood remain at a scene and be detected by the CSI dog?
During both training and operations, the CSI dog correctly located and signalled the presence of blood from 1960. This is not at all surprising. If enough blood is present so that the dog can recognize its odour, he will locate it and alert to its presence. There is no time restriction as regards the recognition of the odour by the dog. Blood, however, is subject to deterioration such as time and other natural processes such as dilution due to rain and other reactive chemical agents.
Can the dog mix up traces of human odours with others that are non-human?
I cannot comment on what the dogs think. However, from a forensic point of view and from confirmations of scientific testimonies, the dogs appear to be extremely exact. But, forensic confirmation is required in all cases so as to be included as proof. The CSI dog is trained using only human blood. And using a wide spectrum of donors to ensure that the dog does not individualize them.
EVRD used to be trained using swine (pigs) as their odour is the closest to that of humans. But most of the time, however, the dog was trained using the odour of a human cadaver. Operationally, the dog has ignored large amounts of animal remains/bones when locating human decomposition.
Based upon your experience with the dogs, can you specify whether the positive signals given by them have always matched the scientific results?
I cannot. In this case, for example, not all the alert signals have been investigated by the appropriate agencies in order to provide forensic comparations, in spite of indications to the contrary. It also should be taken into account that the procedures for forensic testing are still less discriminating than the system of dogs' smell.
During training, the dogs are barely rewarded for positive alert signals regarding targets of known substances.
At any time, did Gerald McCann address, either in Portugal or the United Kingdom, the performance of the dogs in this case?
I have never met nor spoken to Gerald McCann. However I do know that he addressed my head supervisor at the time, the South Yorkshire Head of Police, or Mr. Meredith Hughes.
This deposition was made by me and is true according to my understanding.
Sniffer Dogs in 5A
The following video shows most of the searching carried out in and around the apartment block.
Not all the apartments were searched.
Video timeline
13:00 -- Eddie searches Apartment 5A
16:50 -- Eddie alerts in Gerry and Kate's wardrobe
20:00 -- Eddie alerts behind the sofa
22:20 -- Martin Grime comments on Eddie's search
25:50 -- Keela searches Apartment 5A
29:40 -- Keela alerts behind the sofa
36:50 -- Martin Grime comments on Keela's search
53:04 -- Eddie searches outside Apartment 5A
57:40 -- Martin Grime comments on Eddie's search
The Sniffer Dog searches of the apartment took place on 31st July 2007, the day after Martin Grime arrived in Praia Da Luz with his dogs.
Video Transcipt : Martin Grime's comments on the 5A dog searches : Verbal Report
First Dog [Eddie] -- Inside 5A
By experience and the training of the dog, what I first noticed as soon as I came in was that the dog was very excited. And as a handler I can pick up his body language e.t.c, and it would appear to me that as soon as he's come in the house, he's picked up a scent that he recognises. And he's then gone through the apartment trying to source where that scent source is coming from. And as he's worked through the house, the only two places where he picks up enough scent to give me the bark alert, are in this bedroom [Kate & Gerry's] in this corner where he was barking [In the wardrobe]. What we have to be able to understand is in a situation like this is that in a hot climate with the apartment being closed down, the scent will build up in a particular area. If there isn't a scent source in here, i.e. a physical article where the scent is emitted from, any scent residue will collect in a particular place due to the air movement of the apartment. What I would say in this case is that there is enough scent in that area there [Inside / next to the open wardrobe] for him to give me a bark indication. But the source may not be in that cupboard, the source may well be in this room somewhere else, but the air is actually pushing it into that corner. But its a strong indication and I would say its positive for the thing that he's trained to find, which will be part of a separate debrief.
Moving onto the other rooms, once he's found what he thinks he looking for in this room [Kate & Gerry's], then we go into the bathroom and we come into this bedroom [Madeleine's], and he looses interest because he has actually found the source that he's looking for. Until, we come over here [Into living room], and I think you've got it on video [to Cameraman], but when he first came in he was quite interested in the sofa [The sofa under the window], but he didn't have access to the back of the sofa. When he's gone behind the sofa, what I saw was that approximately in the centre of the wall where the window is, just along the tile area between the tiles and the wall, he has been scenting there a lot stronger that he has anywhere else. And then when he's gone over it the second time hes decided yes thats what I'm looking for and thats when he's given me the bark indication. What we should understand with this dog, is that he only barks when he finds something. He wont bark at any other time. The only times i've ever known him bark since I got him as a small puppy was a) for his dinner, and thats just excitement and thats one of the training methods we use to teach him to bark, when we want him to, and when he actually finds something. He wont bark at other dogs. He wont bark at strangers. He wont bark when somebody knocks on the door, or anything like that. So again I would say thats a positive indication.
Second Dog [Keela] -- Inside 5A
The second dog we've seen work today is the crime scene dog, Keela. She will only indicate to me when she's found human blood. Only human blood and it is only blood, and there must be something there physically for her to be able to alert to me that she's actually found something. At this point over here [Behind the sofa], where the Victim Recover Dog was indicated, as you saw on the video, the Crime Scene Dog was actually giving me what we call a passive indication where she freezes.. in this spot here [Behind the sofa, on the floor], which would indicate to me that there is some human blood there. She will find blood thats historically very old, and she will find anybody's blood, any human blood, which is important to make sure that everybody knows. The fact that there are other scientific methods being used, may stop you recovering any dna, but if you try, we'll se what happens. But she is very, very good and when she indicates, there is always blood there.
First Dog [Eddie] -- Outside 5A
We've searched the outer perimeter, there is some interest here but it will take some further examination to see what's going on.
Results of the 5A dog searches
-- Small amounts of blood behind and on the living room sofa
-- Cadaver odour in Kate & Gerry McCann's bedroom
-- Cadaver odour outside, on the veranda, in a flowerbed, near the window
Eddie marked the McCann's wardrobe
Eddie marked the outside of the McCann's apartment
Eddie marked behind the sofa
Keela marked behind the sofa
As a result of the dogs' sofa indication, the police discovered more blood underneath the tiles below the window.
Eddie is trained to find both blood and cadaver odour.
Sniffer Dogs : Tapas 7 Apartments
Video timeline
38:12 -- Eddie searches Apartment 5B
41:39 -- Eddie searches Apartment 5D
46:40 -- Eddie searches Apartment 5H (H5)
50:10 -- Eddie searches Apartment 4G
These searches took place on 31st July 2007.
Video Transcipt : Martin Grime's comments on the remaining dog searches : Verbal Report
Apartment 5B
We've searched this apartment with the victim recovery dog and he has shown no interest in the flat for what he's trained to find at all so were finished.
Apartment 5D
We've put the victim recovery dog through this apartment, the only interest has been in some food that he has found, other than that there is no interest in anything that he has been taught to tell me that he has found.
Apartment 5H (H5)
We searched this apartment and the dog hasn't shown any interest in this particular apartment, apart from around the table, where there was a tennis ball which is how we reward the dog for finding things, as soon as we removed the tennis ball the interest was gone. And so it was a negative search.
Apartment 4G
We searched the apartment using the victim recovery dog. No response. Negative search.
Results
All Negative
-- No blood or traces of a cadaver
Apartment Details
5B -- Matthew & Rachael Oldfield
5C -- Empty
5D -- Jane Tanner & Russell O'Brien
5H (H5) -- David Payne, Fiona Payne & Dianne Webster
4G -- McCanns (4th May - 1st July 2007)
Sniffer Dog Apartment Searches : Policia Judiciaria Report [Translated]
Inspection of the apartments.
Date: July 31st 2007 - 8pm. Report:
Participants:
PJ: Tavares A. & Ricardo P. Inspectors
UK: Mark Harrison, Martin Grime (UK Forensic Canine P SM Expert),
Eddie & Keela (English Springers)
Silvia B. Manager of the Ocean Club complex.
On that date, inspections were conducted in the apartments occupied by members of the McCann family as well as the group who were with them at the time of Madeleine McCann's disappearance. It was only on that date that the apartment, identified as that of the parents, was empty allowing further investigation which was authorised by the respective occupants. Thus, at the appointed time, the search with the dogs began, covering the following apartments:
5A:
From 8.30pm to 9.20pm, the dogs go through.
8.20pm: The cadaver dog, "marks," the couple's wardrobe area in the bedroom.
8.22pm: The cadaver dog, "marks" an area behind the sofa in the sitting room near the window overlooking the road.
From 8.47pm to 9.20pm, the blood detecting dog goes through.
9.10pm: The dog, "marks" an area of floor behind the sofa in the sitting room, near the window overlooking the road.
5B: 9.24 to 9.27pm: The cadaver dog did not alert on anything.
5D: 9.29 to 9.34pm: The cadaver dog did not alert on anything.
H5 : 9.35 to 9.38pm : The cadaver dog did not alert on anything.
4G : 9.42 to 9.45pm : The cadaver dog did not alert on anything.
Garden belonging to apartment 5A (with access via the balcony and the steps):
9.49 to 10pm: The cadaver dog "marks" an area of the garden immediately below the window.
Sniffer Dogs : McCann's Villa
Video Timeline
00:00 -- 06:04 Eddie searches the villa
04:00 -- Eddie alerts at a cabinet containing Madeleine's 'Cuddle Cat' soft toy
-----------------------------------------
0:58:05 -- Keela searches the clothes
1:00:57 -- Eddie searches the clothes
1:01:08 -- Eddie alerts Madeleine's t-shirt
1:01:19 -- Eddie alerts Kate's clothing -- trousers
1:01:22 -- Eddie alerts Kate's clothing -- top
1:06:25 -- Keela searches second set of clothes
1:09:37 -- Eddie searches second set of clothes
This search took place on 2nd August 2007, and involved searching the McCann's second apartment in Praia Da Luz that they were currently staying in at the time (from 2nd July - 9th September 2007).
Results
-- Cadaver odour on Madeleine's toy
Sniffer Dogs : Clothing Search
This search took place on 2nd August 2007.
Results
-- Cadaver odour on Madeleine's t-shirt
-- Cadaver odour on Kate's top
-- Cadaver odour on Kate's trousers
Keela didn't mark anything therefore there is no blood on the McCanns clothing.
The McCanns Hire Car
After the abduction of Madeleine, Kate & Gerry and the twins moved into another nearby Apartment. Because of their frequent travelling around, they hired a car on 27th May 2007, 24 days after the event.
Car Details :
A Renault Grand Scenic, 7 seats, registered in February 2007, with the number plate, 59-DA-27.
Sniffer Dogs : Vehicle Search
These searches took place on 6th August 2007
Video timeline
1:11:55 -- The vehicles are shown on camera
1:18:20 -- Eddie begins to search the vehicles
1:19:20 -- Eddie searches the McCanns hire vehicle
1:19:20 -- Eddie alerts at the McCanns hire vehicle
1:24:55 -- Keela searches inside McCanns hire vehicle
1:28:28 -- Keela alerts in the boot of the hire vehicle
Video Transcipt : Martin Grime's comments on the vehicle search : Verbal Report
We examined the vehicles using the dog [Eddie] and the only reaction we've had, is to the car in the far corner [The McCann's hire car].. I will tell you which one it is.. Its the Renault. What we had is a reaction from the dog over here [By the McCanns car], where his head is up in the air and he's scenting the items that he's trained to find. And when we tie him, he picks this car, this door [The front left-hand-side door]. The important thing to realise is that he's picking the scent thats coming out through the seal of the door [at the base]. So, using that information I don't intend to put the dog [Eddie] inside the car. [He now puts Keela in the car]
Results
-- Blood in the right hand side on the car boot
-- Cadaver odour inside the car, perhaps source is in front, left side of car -- plastic electronic key is found in glovebox
-- Cadaver odour on plastic electronic key -- with Budget rentals keyring
Keela marks right hand side of boot
Eddie marks the base of the front left door, at it's seal [Suggests scent is coming from inside]
Eddie marks the key [At a later stage -- not featured on video]
The vehicle was searched by the PJ after the cadaver dog alerted to the front drivers side door. No human remains were found within it.
Martin Grime's Full Report : Dated August 2007
OPERATION TASK CANINE SEARCH REPORT
Personal Profile
I am a 'retired' police officer, formally a senior instructor at the South Yorkshire Police dog training establishment.
I have 35 years experience in the training of dogs both within the police service and in the public sector.
I specialise in the development and training of specialist search dogs to include narcotics, explosives, currency, human remains, blood and semen.
I am the Special Advisor to The U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, in relation to their Canine Forensic Program.
I am a U.K.A.C.P.O. (Association of Chief Police Officers, England and Wales) accredited police dog training instructor.
I am a Subject Matter Expert in forensic canine search and on the N.P.I.A. (National Policing Improvement Agency) Expert Advisers database.
I advise Domestic and International Law enforcement agencies on the operational deployment of Police Dogs in the role of Homicide investigation.
I develop methods of detecting forensically recoverable evidence by the use of dogs and facilitate training.
I am regularly deployed to homicide cases within my portfolio and form a 'Specialist Canine Homicide Search Team' including the S.A.M dog teams from Dyfed Powys and USA.
I have trained and handle two operational specialist search dogs:
'Eddie' is a 7-year-old English Springer spaniel dog who is trained as an Enhanced Victim Recovery Dog (EVRD).
'Keela' is a three-year old English Springer spaniel bitch who is trained as an Human blood search dog (C.S.I. dog).
OPERATION TASK CANINE DEPLOYMENTS 1-8 AUGUST 2007
On the instruction of The PJ Director, The Portuguese police kept all search records concerning the deployment of the search dogs. All dog searches were recorded by video.
The following searches were conducted:
Five apartments at a complex in Praia Da Luz.
Mr. Murat's property at Praia Da Luz.
Mr. McCann's Villa at Praia Da Luz ( Present occupancy).
Articles of clothing from Mr. McCann's residence.
Western beach Praia da Luz.
Eastern Beach Praia Da Luz.
10 Vehicles screened at Portimao.
CANINE SEARCHES AT FIVE APARTMENTS AT PRAIA DA LUZ.
All five apartments were searched using the EVRD. The only alert indications were at apartment 5a, the reported scene.
The EVRD alerted in the:
Rear bedroom of the apartment in the immediate right hand corner by the door.
Living room, behind sofa.
Veranda outside parent's bedroom.
Garden area directly under veranda.
My observation of the dog's behaviour in this instance was that the dog's behaviour changed immediately upon opening the front door to the apartment. He will normally remain in the sit position until released and tasked to search. On this occasion he broke the stay and entered the apartment with an above average interest. His behaviour was such that I believed him to be 'in scent' and I therefore allowed him to free search without direction to allow him to identify the source of his interest. He did so alerting in the rear bedroom.
I released him from this and tasked him to continue to search. He did so alerting in an area to the rear of the sofa in the lounge.
The dog's behaviour for these alerts led me to the following opinions:
The first alert was given with the dogs head in the air without a positive area being identified. This is the alert given by him when there is no tangible evidence to be located only the remaining scent.
The second alert was one where a definitive area was evident. The CSI dog was therefore deployed who gave specific alert indications to specific areas on the tiled floor area behind the sofa and on the curtain in the area that was in contact with the floor behind the sofa. This would indicate to the likely presence of human blood.
The forensic science support officers were then deployed to recover items for laboratory analysis.
There were no alert indications from the remaining properties. I did however see the dog search in the kitchen waste bins. These contained meat foodstuffs including pork and did not result in any false alert response.
CANINE SEARCH OF MR MURAT'S PROPERTY
The property was subjected to a search for human remains or blood stained articles. The outside of property was stripped of vegetation and after the ground being probed was searched by the EVRD dog. The inside of the property was then searched by the dog. There were no alert indications and no human remains were located.
CANINE SEARCH OF MR McCANN'S VILLA, PRESENT OCCUPANCY.
The villa interior, garden, and all property within were searched by the EVRD. The only alert indication given was when the dog located a pink cuddly toy in the villas lounge. The CSI dog did not alert to the toy when screened separately.
It is my view that it is possible that the EVRD is alerting to cadaver scent contamination. No evidential or intelligence reliability can be made from this alert unless it can be confirmed with corroborating evidence.
BOXES OF CLOTHING 1 PROPERTY FORM MR McCANN'S RESIDENCE
At a suitable venue numerous boxes of clothing 1 property taken from the McCann present residence were screened using both the EVRD and the CSI dog. The venue was screened by both dogs prior to introducing clothing / property. Neither gave an alert indication. The screening then took place with the contents of each box being placed around the room in turn. The process was recorded by video and written records were taken by PJ officers.
The only alert indication was by the EVRD on clothing from one of the boxes. I am not in possession of the details as these were recorded by the PJ officers present.
It is my view that it is possible that the EVRD is alerting to 'a cadaver scent' contaminant. No evidential or intelligence reliability can be made from this alert unless it can be confirmed with corroborating evidence.
WESTERN BEACH
The beach above the waterline was searched. This extended to areas of fallen rock and the cliff face as far as the dog could negotiate the incline. There were no alert indications.
EASTERN BEACH
The beach above the waterline was searched. This extended to areas of fallen rock and the cliff face as far as the dog could negotiate the incline. There were no alert indications.
CANINE VEHICLE SEARCHES
Ten vehicles were screened in an underground multi storey car park at Portimao. The vehicles, of which I did not know the owner details, were parked on an empty floor with 20-30 feet between each. The vehicle placement video recording and management of the process was conducted by the PJ. The EVRD was then tasked to search the area. When passing a vehicle I now know to be hired and in the possession of the McCann family, the dog's behaviour changed substantially. This then produced an alert indication at the lower part of the drivers door where the dog was biting and barking. I recognise this behaviour as the dog indicating scent emitting from the inside of the vehicle through the seal around the door.
This vehicle was then subjected to a full physical examination by the PJ and no human remains were found. The CSI dog was then tasked to screen the vehicle. An alert indication was forthcoming from the rear driver's side of the boot area. Forensic samples were taken by the PJ and forwarded to a forensic laboratory in the U.K.
It is my view that it is possible that the EVRD is alerting to 'cadaver scent' contaminant or human blood scent. No evidential or intelligence reliability can be made from this alert unless it can be confirmed with corroborating evidence. The remainder of the vehicles were screened by the EVRD without any interest being shown. Therefore the CSI dog was not further deployed.
SUMMARY
The tasking for this operation was as per my normal Standard Operating Procedures. The dogs are deployed as search assets to secure evidence and locate human remains or Human blood.
The dogs only alerted to property associated with the McCann family. The dog alert indications MUST be corroborated if to establish their findings as evidence.
Therefore in this particular case, as no human remains were located, the only alert indications that may become corroborated are those that the CSI dog indicated by forensic laboratory analysis.
My professional opinion as regards to the EVRD's alert indications is that it is suggestive that this is 'cadaver scent' contaminant. This does not however suggest a motive or suspect as cross contamination could be as a result of a number of given scenarios and in any event no evidential or intelligence reliability can be made from these alerts unless they can be confirmed with corroborating evidence.
Scientific Analysis
DNA is a complex chemical that is found in the majority of cells in the human body, including cells in the blood, semen, saliva and hair roots.
DNA Testing : Swabs and Blood samples : Taken from www.dnacenter.com :
The two most popular methods for collecting DNA in labs are blood samples and swabs. The results gained in extracting DNA by swabs and blood samples are exactly the same, but there are subtle differences in how the two processes work. Both have their advantages and disadvantages depending on your preference. Neither one is outright better than the other, so it ultimately depends on your preference or the lab's ability to provide.
Forensic Reports
John Lowe is the writer / analyst of the forensic reports and results. These tests were based on many different swabs and samples taken from the apartment, from locations based off of the dogs' indications, where stains were found.
He wrote the first report on 6th Sept 2007
He wrote the second report on 18 June 2008, drawing this conclusion from the results of the swabs collected from both 5A and 59DA27 :
Conclusion
In my opinion, the laboratory results that were attained did not help to clarify whether or not the DNA results obtained within the scope of this case were from Madeleine McCann.
Andrew Palmer analysed the hair samples from the Renault Scenic hire car [59 DA 27]. This is his conclusion :
Conclusion
In the objects recovered from the Scenic, there were around 15 blonde/fair hairs similar to the reference hairs from SJM2, 4 and 5. However, as it was not possible to do solid [definitive] or significant [forensically meaningful] tests it is not possible for me to determine if, or not, these could have been from Madeleine McCann.
The conclusions expressed in the present deposition are based on information available at the date of the examination. In the case that there are changes to that information, or additional information becomes available, it may be necessary to reconsider my interpretation and conclusions. That re-evaluation will be most effective when done immediately prior to any judgement.
A.L. Palmer
Scientific Results
-- No confirmed dna of Madeleine McCann in any of the tested areas of interest in Apartment 5A
-- No confirmed blood of Madeleine McCann in any of the tested areas of interest in Apartment 5A
-- No confirmed dna of Madeleine McCann in any of the tested areas of interest in Hire Car [reg. 59DA27]
-- No confirmed blood of Madeleine McCann in any of the tested areas of interest in Hire Car [reg. 59DA27]
To read the full forensic reports go here : www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk
From John Lowe's First Report :
I have received from my colleague, Sarah Vraitch, copies of the reference DNA profiles of
Gerald McCann (CB/1),
Kate Healy (CB/2),
Amelie McCann (SBM/2)
and Sean McCann (SBM/3).
I have also received a copy of the DNA profile obtained from the possible saliva staining on the pillow case (SJM/1) which is assumed to be the DNA profile of Madeleine McCann.
A weak incomplete DNA result which consisted of only a few unconfirmed DNA components was obtained from cellular material on the swab (3A) from the apartment floor. An attempt to obtain a DNA profile from any cellular material on the wet swab (3B) from the same area was unsuccessful in that no profile was obtained.
Weak and incomplete DNA results which consisted of only a few unconfirmed DNA components were obtained from cellular material on the wet and dry swabs (14A & B} from the back of the sofa.
A weak and incomplete DNA result which showed indications of having originated from more than one person was obtained from cellular material on the dry swab (15A) from the back of the sofa.
A DNA result which appeared to have originated from at least three people and which appeared to have originated from at least two males who had contributed the majority of the DNA was obtained from cellular material obtained from the wet swab of the sofa (15B). in my opinion there is no evidence to support the view that Gerald McCann or Madeline McCann contributed DNA to this result. The DNA from this swab has not been subjected to LCN DNA profiling tests.
A weak incomplete DNA result which consisted of only a few unconfirmed DNA components was obtained from cellular material recovered from the edges of tile 2 286/2007-CRL(2) from the apartment floor. An attempt to obtain a DNA profile from any cellular material recovered from a further area on tile 2 and two areas on tile 3 (286/2007-CRL(3) were unsuccessful in that no profiles were obtained.
The curtains (286A/2007 - CR/L 16 and 16B) and the piece of white curtain (286B/2007 - CR/L 1) and the fragments of bushes (286/2007 CR/L 21) were examined for the presence of blood. No blood was found.
From John Lowe's Second Report :
Objective
Th objective of the laboratory examination was to examine the presented objects with respect to the presence of blood, cellular material and hair that may prove to have been from Madeleine McCann or one or other member of her family, or from any of the Portuguese police who had been active at the crime scene.
Oral swabs of reference material
CB/1 Gerald McCann
CB/2 Kate McCann (nee Healy)
SBM/2 Amelie McCann
SBM/3 Sean McCann<
My colleague, Sarah Vraitch, furnished me with copies of reference DNA profiles of the above individuals. Each of the profiles was different from the others.
FSS-GF-679 Emissao 2, Pagina 6
14 Pedro Vilhena
286/2007CRL22 Fernando Viegas
286/2007CRL23 Lino Henriques
286/2007CRL24 Bruno Antunes
The DNA profiles of these persons were obtained from their respective samples. The profiles were not only different from each other, they were different from those of the McCann family.
Objects attributed to the Apartment 5A of the Ocean Club
286/2007-CRL (1) Pieces of floor-tile identified as number 1. A DNA result by LCN, that appeared to be from at least three persons and that was too complex for a meaningful interpretation, was obtained from the cellular material collected from these floor tiles.
286/2007-CRL (2) Pieces of floor-tile identified as number 2. An inconclusive, incomplete DNA result, consisting of only some unconfirmed DNA components, was obtained from the cellular material recovered from the edges of floor-tile 2 from the apartment floor. The attempt to obtain a DNA profile from any cellular material recovered from the larger area of floor-tile 2 was unsuccessful, given that it was not possible to obtain any DNA profile. These samples were then subjected to LCN analysis.
286A/2007-CRL 12A & B Swabs collected from the wall of the apartment. A mixed DNA result, apparently originating from at least two persons, was obtained through LCN from the cellular material present in the combined swabs. In my opinion, there is no evidence that supports the theory that any member of the McCann family had contributed DNA to this result.
286/2007-CRL (19) Cement-grouting between the floor tiles identified as number 4. The attempt to obtain a result through LCN from any cellular material that may have been in these fragments was unsuccessful, given that no profile was obtained, possibly due to the absence of sufficient good quality DNA.
286/2007-CRL (20) Fragments of floor tile and grouting. The attempt to obtain a result through LCN from any cellular material that may have been in these fragments was unsuccessful, given that no profile was obtained, possibly due to the absence of sufficient good quality DNA.
Object attributed to Leicestershire Police
HQ MJN/994 Cloth / piece of cotton wool
The object consisted a plastic bag containing a piece of cloth around cotton wool which showed orange and brown spots. No blood was detected.
Dog Results
-- Blood behind the living room sofa
-- Blood in the McCann's car boot
-- Cadaver odour in the McCann's bedroom
-- Cadaver odour behind the living room sofa
-- Cadaver odour outside beneath the window in a flowerbed
-- Cadaver odour in the McCann's car
-- Cadaver odour on the McCann's car key
-- Cadaver odour on one of Madeleine's tops
-- Cadaver odour on two pieces of Kate's clothes
-- Cadaver odour on Madeleine's cuddle cat toy
What these results tell us
-- The smell of death has been transferred either directly from a cadaver or another object, into Kate & Gerry's bedroom / wardrobe.
-- Some Blood from a shoe has been partially transferred onto the floor of the Apartment.
-- Same shoe print on rear bumper of Renault Scenic hire car.
-- Human Blood has been found behind the sofa under the window in the living room.
This is what the Interim Report says about stain 3: “An incomplete DNA result was obtained from cellular material on the swab (286A/2007 CRL 3a). The swab contained very little information and showed low level indications of DNA from more than one person. However, all of the confirmed DNA components within this result match the corresponding components in the DNA profile of Madeline McCann. LCN DNA profiling is highly sensitive; it is not possible attribute this DNA profile to a particular body fluid.”
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