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'Blood clue' in Madeleine inquiry | 'Blood clue' in Madeleine inquiry |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Forensic tests are being carried out on suspected traces of blood found in the apartment where Madeleine McCann was last seen on 3 May, the BBC has learnt. | |
It is understood the find was made during a search - with at least one British sniffer dog - of the McCanns' now-vacant apartment in Praia da Luz. | It is understood the find was made during a search - with at least one British sniffer dog - of the McCanns' now-vacant apartment in Praia da Luz. |
If tests confirm the find, police will look for a DNA match with Madeleine. | If tests confirm the find, police will look for a DNA match with Madeleine. |
A new search of the home of suspect Robert Murat, 33, in the Portuguese resort, found no new evidence. | A new search of the home of suspect Robert Murat, 33, in the Portuguese resort, found no new evidence. |
Madeleine, four, from Rothley, Leicestershire, went missing from the Algarve holiday apartment while her parents ate in a nearby restaurant. | Madeleine, four, from Rothley, Leicestershire, went missing from the Algarve holiday apartment while her parents ate in a nearby restaurant. |
Vehicles returned | Vehicles returned |
It is believed detectives returned to the McCanns' holiday apartment last week with at least one highly-specialised sniffer dog from Britain. | It is believed detectives returned to the McCanns' holiday apartment last week with at least one highly-specialised sniffer dog from Britain. |
Inside, they found traces of what is thought to be blood but investigators cannot be 100% certain, a Portuguese police source told BBC News. | Inside, they found traces of what is thought to be blood but investigators cannot be 100% certain, a Portuguese police source told BBC News. |
On Monday, detectives examined a car and a van used by the only declared suspect, Mr Murat. | On Monday, detectives examined a car and a van used by the only declared suspect, Mr Murat. |
Last night, the vehicles were returned to the Murat family villa. | Last night, the vehicles were returned to the Murat family villa. |
The property is owned by Mr Murat's mother. | The property is owned by Mr Murat's mother. |
Publicly the police have not commented on the results of the weekend search but the BBC understands it revealed nothing to link Mr Murat to Madeleine. | Publicly the police have not commented on the results of the weekend search but the BBC understands it revealed nothing to link Mr Murat to Madeleine. |
Mr Murat was declared a suspect 10 days after Madeleine was last seen, on 3 May, but has strenuously denied any involvement in her disappearance. The property was searched then too. | Mr Murat was declared a suspect 10 days after Madeleine was last seen, on 3 May, but has strenuously denied any involvement in her disappearance. The property was searched then too. |
Possible sighting | Possible sighting |
The BBC understands British police were invited to review key aspects of the case by their Portuguese counterparts. | The BBC understands British police were invited to review key aspects of the case by their Portuguese counterparts. |
Police are also investigating a possible sighting of Madeleine at a restaurant in Tongeren, Belgium. | Police are also investigating a possible sighting of Madeleine at a restaurant in Tongeren, Belgium. |
On Sunday, Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann attended Mass at a local Catholic church in Praia da Luz. | On Sunday, Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann attended Mass at a local Catholic church in Praia da Luz. |
Mrs McCann has spoken of her regret at leaving her children alone in their holiday apartment while she and her husband Gerry had dinner at a nearby restaurant on the night Madeleine disappeared. | Mrs McCann has spoken of her regret at leaving her children alone in their holiday apartment while she and her husband Gerry had dinner at a nearby restaurant on the night Madeleine disappeared. |
"We are just so desperately sorry. Every hour now, I still question, 'Why did I think that was safe?'" | "We are just so desperately sorry. Every hour now, I still question, 'Why did I think that was safe?'" |
The McCanns have backed a scheme aimed at letting parents and staff know what steps to take as soon as a child goes missing on holiday. | The McCanns have backed a scheme aimed at letting parents and staff know what steps to take as soon as a child goes missing on holiday. |
Code Madeleine is based on Code Adam in the US, named after abducted six-year-old Adam Walsh. | Code Madeleine is based on Code Adam in the US, named after abducted six-year-old Adam Walsh. |