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Prosecutor reviews Madeleine case Prosecutor reviews Madeleine case
(10 minutes later)
Police papers detailing the inquiry into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are expected to be passed to the public prosecutor in Portugal later.Police papers detailing the inquiry into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are expected to be passed to the public prosecutor in Portugal later.
All the police's information will be reviewed, three days after her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, of Rothley, Leics, were named as formal suspects.All the police's information will be reviewed, three days after her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, of Rothley, Leics, were named as formal suspects.
A review is standard practice in Portugal when there has been such a development, BBC correspondents say.A review is standard practice in Portugal when there has been such a development, BBC correspondents say.
Madeleine, four, was last seen in the McCanns' Algarve apartment on 3 May.Madeleine, four, was last seen in the McCanns' Algarve apartment on 3 May.
Mr and Mrs McCanns, both 39, returned to the UK on Sunday, but can be recalled to Portugal with five days' notice. Mr and Mrs McCann, both 39, returned to the UK on Sunday, but can be recalled to Portugal with five days' notice.
Further resultsFurther results
They are being advised by London-based lawyers Michael Caplan QC and Angus McBride.They are being advised by London-based lawyers Michael Caplan QC and Angus McBride.
Mr Caplan acted for former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet when Spain attempted to extradite him from the UK in 1999.Mr Caplan acted for former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet when Spain attempted to extradite him from the UK in 1999.
[Kate and Gerry] had a decent night's sleep and the twins slept soundly. They're holding up extremely well Brian Kennedy
Mrs McCann's uncle, Brian Kennedy, gave a statement on Monday in which he said the couple had received many messages of support.
"They're fine. They had a decent night's sleep and the twins slept soundly. They're holding up extremely well."
He added that the couple would not be going back to work immediately - both are doctors - but would try to lead "as normal an existence as possible".
BBC correspondent Alison Roberts said the passing over of the police papers to the public prosecutor is a normal practice, in which the prosecutor will undertake a review of the investigation so far, including the statements given by the McCanns last week.
Statement in full Emotional homecoming In Pictures: McCanns returnStatement in full Emotional homecoming In Pictures: McCanns return
"It seems unlikely, given this development, that the investigation will go beyond the normal eight months for a Portuguese inquiry," she said.
Under the Portuguese legal system, police have eight months to investigate a case before requiring permission to continue their inquiries.
Media reports, unconfirmed by police, have said that Portuguese officers have been preparing to make searches.Media reports, unconfirmed by police, have said that Portuguese officers have been preparing to make searches.
They are still awaiting further results from forensic tests carried out in the UK on samples taken from the McCanns' apartment in Praia da Luz and at least one vehicle used by the family and their friends.They are still awaiting further results from forensic tests carried out in the UK on samples taken from the McCanns' apartment in Praia da Luz and at least one vehicle used by the family and their friends.
Partial results from these tests triggered a series of events which led to the McCanns being declared formal suspects, or "arguidos".Partial results from these tests triggered a series of events which led to the McCanns being declared formal suspects, or "arguidos".
No bail conditions, travel restrictions or charges have been imposed on the couple, who were questioned separately for more than 24 hours last week.No bail conditions, travel restrictions or charges have been imposed on the couple, who were questioned separately for more than 24 hours last week.
After the family arrived at East Midlands Airport on Sunday, an emotional Gerry McCann said they had returned for the sake of their two-year-old twins, Amelie and Sean, and he appealed for their privacy to be respected.
Under pressure
He said neither he nor his wife had played any part in the disappearance of their "lovely daughter".
But journalists from across the world are still camped out in their village following their return.
Mrs McCann's uncle, Brian Kennedy, gave a statement in which he said the McCanns had received many messages of support.
"They're ok, they're fine. They had a decent night's sleep and the twins slept soundly. They're holding up extremely well."
He added that the couple would not be going back to work immediately - both are doctors - but would try to lead "as normal an existence as possible".
BBC correspondent Alison Roberts said the passing over of the papers is a normal practice, in which the prosecutor will take a review of the police papers and of the case, including the statements given by the McCanns last week.
ARGUIDO/ARGUIDA STATUS Officially a suspectBestowed by police or requested by individualRight to remain silentRight to a lawyerARGUIDO/ARGUIDA STATUS Officially a suspectBestowed by police or requested by individualRight to remain silentRight to a lawyer
"It seems unlikely, given this development, that the investigation will go beyond the normal eight months for a Portuguese inquiry," she said. After the family arrived at East Midlands Airport on Sunday, an emotional Mr McCann said they had returned for the sake of their two-year-old twins, Amelie and Sean, and he appealed for their privacy to be respected.
Under the Portuguese legal system, police have eight months to investigate a case before requiring permission to continue their inquiries. He said neither he nor his wife had played any part in the disappearance of their "lovely daughter".
The couple told Sunday newspapers that they believed Portuguese police were trying to frame them and put Mrs McCann under pressure to confess that she killed her daughter by accident. Journalists from across the world have been camped out in their village since their return.
'Spurious evidence' The couple told Sunday newspapers that they believed Portuguese police were trying to frame them and had put Mrs McCann under pressure to confess that she killed her daughter by accident.
'Cross-contamination'
During an 11-hour interview, detectives suggested to Mrs McCann that traces of Madeleine's blood had been found in the family's hire car, she said.During an 11-hour interview, detectives suggested to Mrs McCann that traces of Madeleine's blood had been found in the family's hire car, she said.
The family say this is impossible as they did not rent the vehicle until 25 days after Madeleine disappeared.The family say this is impossible as they did not rent the vehicle until 25 days after Madeleine disappeared.
Allan Scott, a lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire's School of Forensic and Investigative Sciences, said cross-contamination needed to be considered.Allan Scott, a lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire's School of Forensic and Investigative Sciences, said cross-contamination needed to be considered.
He said "secondary transfer" of Madeleine's DNA may have occurred and that DNA is "so sensitive" that if two people met in the street and shook hands and then one committed a crime, they could possibly leave the other person's DNA at the scene.He said "secondary transfer" of Madeleine's DNA may have occurred and that DNA is "so sensitive" that if two people met in the street and shook hands and then one committed a crime, they could possibly leave the other person's DNA at the scene.
Mr McCann's sister Philomena said the family were now trying to cope with the intricacies of the Portuguese legal system.
"It is unbelievable they have been named as suspects. No-one believes the Portuguese police," she said.
"[The police] are assuming, on spurious evidence, that Madeleine is now dead."
Due to legal restrictions under Portuguese law, the police are unable to respond to the claims made by the McCanns.