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Previously
unseen footage of Gerry McCann being
asked if he killed his daughter
justifies taking a closer look at his
possible role in Madeleine's
disappearance, according to a law
enforcement expert who specialises in
detecting deception.
Mark McClish, a former US Marshall and
Secret Service agent, has analysed Mr
McCann's unedited 25 second response to
an Australian reporter in 2011 asking
him and his wife, Kate: "Did you kill
your daughter?"
In his reply (which can be viewed
above), Mr McCann used 51 words, often
"rambling on in his denial", when just a
succinct response was necessary, Mr
McClish told nine.com.au.
"He spends a lot of time trying to
convince us why he would not kill his
daughter," Mr McClish said.
Mr McClish, who now trains police and
military interrogators in the art of
statement analysis, said Mr McCann's
body language in the footage was also a
possible area of concern. |
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Kate and Gerry McCann said
Madeleine vanished from
their holiday apartment on
May 3, 2007. Source: AFP |
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"He displayed some non-verbal gestures
that indicate possible deception," Mr
McClish said.
"When Gerry was first asked, 'Did you
kill your daughter?' he looked down and
brought his left hand up to his nose as
he answered, 'No, no never.' Not being
able to look the interviewer in the eyes
while giving a specific denial is an
indication of deception."
If someone brings their hand up to their
mouth or nose while answering a question
it is also a deceptive indicator, Mr
McClish said.
The documentary footage is remarkable
for more than just the confronting
question posed so directly to Kate and
Gerry McCann. |
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Madeleine Beth McCann:
Missing for 10 years, would
now be 14 years old. Source:
Getty |
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Mr McCann's denial was first aired in
2011 by Australia's Channel Seven, but
his response – as is now apparent – had
been heavily edited by the broadcaster.
In the 2011 version, Maddie's father's
answer to the question appeared to be a
simple: "No, that's an emphatic no".
However, those who follow the case
closely were shocked to see Mr McCann's
full and unedited answer on a Channel
Seven documentary Gone in May this year,
which marked the 10th anniversary of
Maddie's disappearance.
Doctors Kate and Gerry McCann have
always strongly denied any involvement
in the disappearance of Maddie, who
vanished from a Portugal holiday
apartment in May, 2007. |
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The McCanns were involved in
a long-running, bitter court
battle with a Portuguese
detective who wrote a book
saying the parents had
disposed of their daughter's
body. Source: AFP |
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Statement analysis is not admissible
evidence in court, but police can use it
as a tool to assist investigations and
zero in on potential lines of inquiry.
For nine years Mr McClish was lead
instructor on interviewing techniques at
the U.S. Marshals Service Training
Academy in Glynco, Georgia. Mr McClish
categorised parts of Mr McCann's reply
as "a weak denial".
"There are enough deceptive indicators
within his answer which would justify
taking a closer look at his possible
role in Madeleine's disappearance," Mr
McClish said.
The McCanns were considered formal
suspects by the Portuguese police until
the investigation was shelved and their
"arguidos status" was lifted.
Earlier this month, Assistant
Commissioner of London's Metropolitan
Police Mark Rowley was asked in a media
briefing if Kate and Gerry McCann had
ever been questioned as potential
suspects by Scotland Yard detectives.
"No," he replied. |
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