Police request DNA samples from British tourists
Tourists who stayed at the resort where Madeleine McCann went missing have been asked to provide DNA samples and fingerprints, it was reported last night.
The move is said to have come after detectives uncovered evidence of a possible kidnapper.
The head of the British investigation into the four-year-old’s disappearance in Portugal on May 3 wrote a letter to holidaymakers asking for their help, according to The Times.
Madeleine disappeared a few days before her fourth birthday during a family holiday to Praia da Luz in the Algarve.
Leicestershire Constabulary, which is co-ordinating the investigation in Britain on behalf of the Portuguese authorities, would not confirm whether Superintendent Stuart Prior had sent the appeal.
Nor would the spokeswoman confirm whether police across Britain were interviewing former guests at the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz.
The letter reportedly explains that Portuguese detectives have failed to identify a number of samples recovered from the resort. The newspaper said some of these were from the McCanns’ apartment from which Madeleine disappeared while her parents ate dinner at a nearby tapas restaurant.
Superintendent Stuart Prior is said to have told tourists in the letter: “I have now been asked by the Portuguese investigation team to arrange for DNA samples and fingerprints to be taken from holiday-makers living in the UK who were staying at the Ocean Club Resort.”
He goes on to emphasise that the request is “routine practice”, The Times reported.
Yesterday, one of Portugal’s most senior detectives took charge of the investigation.
Paulo Rebelo, a senior criminal investigation co-ordinator at national police headquarters in Lisbon, has investigated several high-profile cases including claims of a child sex ring at a state-run children’s home.
A five hour search of the McCanns’ holiday apartment took place yesterday, after his appointment, the Mirror reported today.
Goncalo Amaral was removed from the investigation last week after criticising British police in a newspaper interview.
The officer claimed detectives were being misled by the girl’s parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, who are suspects in the case.
Mr Amaral, who headed the regional Policia Judiciaria in Portimao, also accused the McCanns of releasing new information each day in a bid to confuse the inquiry.
After the move, another senior officer, Chief Inspector Tavares Almeida, asked for an extended leave of absence.
The McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell yesterday told GMTV Madeleine’s parents welcomed the new appointment and hoped the first priority of the new officer would be to eliminate them from the inquiry and focus on finding their daughter.
Mr Mitchell yesterday rubbished reports in the Portuguese media which claimed that the police believe Madeleine was one of seven children left in the McCanns’ holiday apartment on the night Madeleine disappeared.
