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| Parents confident Madeleine alive | Parents confident Madeleine alive |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The parents of missing Madeleine McCann say their faith that she will be found alive has not been shaken by speculation over her fate. | The parents of missing Madeleine McCann say their faith that she will be found alive has not been shaken by speculation over her fate. |
| Forensic tests are being carried out on suspected traces of blood found in the Algarve apartment where four-year-old Madeleine was last seen on 3 May. | Forensic tests are being carried out on suspected traces of blood found in the Algarve apartment where four-year-old Madeleine was last seen on 3 May. |
| The BBC understands at least one British officer on the case is a specialist in locating murder victims. | The BBC understands at least one British officer on the case is a specialist in locating murder victims. |
| But Gerry McCann said he had no reason to think his daughter was dead. | But Gerry McCann said he had no reason to think his daughter was dead. |
| "We're not naive, but on numerous occasions, the Portuguese police have assured us that they were looking for Madeleine alive, and not Madeleine being murdered," Mr McCann said. | |
| "And I don't know of any information that's changed that." | "And I don't know of any information that's changed that." |
| Sniffer dogs | Sniffer dogs |
| Some Portuguese newspapers reported on Tuesday that detectives now suspect Madeleine died in the holiday flat in Praia da Luz on the night she disappeared. | Some Portuguese newspapers reported on Tuesday that detectives now suspect Madeleine died in the holiday flat in Praia da Luz on the night she disappeared. |
| But Mr McCann said he and his wife, Kate, from Rothley, Leicestershire, strongly believed their daughter was alive when she was taken. | But Mr McCann said he and his wife, Kate, from Rothley, Leicestershire, strongly believed their daughter was alive when she was taken. |
| It is believed detectives returned to the now-vacant apartment last week with at least one highly-specialised sniffer dog from Britain. | It is believed detectives returned to the now-vacant apartment last week with at least one highly-specialised sniffer dog from Britain. |
| We will work with them and continue to work with them for the breakthrough that we pray for every single day Gerry McCann | We will work with them and continue to work with them for the breakthrough that we pray for every single day Gerry McCann |
| It is understood possible traces of blood were found during that search. If tests confirm the find, police will look for a DNA match with Madeleine. | It is understood possible traces of blood were found during that search. If tests confirm the find, police will look for a DNA match with Madeleine. |
| Mr McCann said he accepted that police needed to be thorough in all aspects of the investigation, including with his own family and friends. | Mr McCann said he accepted that police needed to be thorough in all aspects of the investigation, including with his own family and friends. |
| Kate McCann said they had an excellent relationship with the Portuguese police. | Kate McCann said they had an excellent relationship with the Portuguese police. |
| "We will work with them and continue to work with them for the breakthrough that we pray for every single day," added Mr McCann. | "We will work with them and continue to work with them for the breakthrough that we pray for every single day," added Mr McCann. |
| House search | House search |
| A second search of the home of suspect Robert Murat, 33, in the Portuguese resort in recent days found no new evidence. | A second search of the home of suspect Robert Murat, 33, in the Portuguese resort in recent days found no new evidence. |
| On Monday, detectives examined a car and a van used by Mr Murat, the only declared suspect in the case. | On Monday, detectives examined a car and a van used by Mr Murat, the only declared suspect in the case. |
| On Monday night, the vehicles were returned to the Murat family villa, which is owned by Mr Murat's mother. | On Monday night, the vehicles were returned to the Murat family villa, which 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 but has strenuously denied any involvement in her disappearance. | Mr Murat was declared a suspect 10 days after Madeleine was last seen but has strenuously denied any involvement in her disappearance. |
| 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. |