anotheroneforjustice | 07 05 08 BBC Portuguese expertise questioned @anotheroneforjustice | Uploaded November 2010 | Updated October 2024, 2 hours ago.
TRANSCRIPT
REPORTER Her face already incredibly familiar. Madeleine McCann, three years old, apparently the victim of the unthinkable. A random kidnapping. And almost five days on the police inquiry is coming under scrutiny..Experienced detectives say the first few hours within an abduction investigation are vital. Within 24 hours the Portuguese police were searching Praia da Luz with dogs. Forensics teams were also on site that day but was it all too late to catch the kidnapper at his most vulnerable?
HAMISH BROWN (Former Detective Inspector) The first few hours of any investigation are important. In this country its called the golden hour. Basically it deals with two issues. One is tracing witnesses and two is securing forensic evidence. Both are terribly important in any investigation.
REPORTER Over the years British police forces have learnt to use the media in these cases. Their Portuguese colleagues work in a system with laws designed to protect the investigation and any suspect and these prevent them releasing much information.
ANTONIO SANTANA CARLOS (Portuguese Ambassador) We have to follow the principle of the secrecy of justice. That leads us, the authorities, the judicial authorities, that they cannot disclose the investigations, the way they are proceeding.
US TV PRESENTER Our story this evening, the search for two abducted children...
REPORTER The Americans pioneered a system, called 'Amber Alert', which uses local media to help in the vital few hours after a child abduction. Its now been adopted here. The British system is called 'Child Rescue Alert'. Its triggered when a child is believed to have been abducted and is thought to be at risk of harm. Then, so long as there's adequate information, the local TV and radio stations are asked to broadcast alerts every fifteen minutes.
RADIO PRESENTER Sussex police have...
REPORTER It was first used in Sussex three years ago. That case ended happily. Madeleine McCann's family are praying that hers does too. Daniel Sandford, BBC news.
TRANSCRIPT
REPORTER Her face already incredibly familiar. Madeleine McCann, three years old, apparently the victim of the unthinkable. A random kidnapping. And almost five days on the police inquiry is coming under scrutiny..Experienced detectives say the first few hours within an abduction investigation are vital. Within 24 hours the Portuguese police were searching Praia da Luz with dogs. Forensics teams were also on site that day but was it all too late to catch the kidnapper at his most vulnerable?
HAMISH BROWN (Former Detective Inspector) The first few hours of any investigation are important. In this country its called the golden hour. Basically it deals with two issues. One is tracing witnesses and two is securing forensic evidence. Both are terribly important in any investigation.
REPORTER Over the years British police forces have learnt to use the media in these cases. Their Portuguese colleagues work in a system with laws designed to protect the investigation and any suspect and these prevent them releasing much information.
ANTONIO SANTANA CARLOS (Portuguese Ambassador) We have to follow the principle of the secrecy of justice. That leads us, the authorities, the judicial authorities, that they cannot disclose the investigations, the way they are proceeding.
US TV PRESENTER Our story this evening, the search for two abducted children...
REPORTER The Americans pioneered a system, called 'Amber Alert', which uses local media to help in the vital few hours after a child abduction. Its now been adopted here. The British system is called 'Child Rescue Alert'. Its triggered when a child is believed to have been abducted and is thought to be at risk of harm. Then, so long as there's adequate information, the local TV and radio stations are asked to broadcast alerts every fifteen minutes.
RADIO PRESENTER Sussex police have...
REPORTER It was first used in Sussex three years ago. That case ended happily. Madeleine McCann's family are praying that hers does too. Daniel Sandford, BBC news.
