08/08/2007

DNA Tests Reveal No Match To Madeleine

DNA test results from a sample taken from a Belgian restaurant where missing British girl Madeleine McCann was allegedly spotted are not a match for the four-year-old, it has been revealed.

The tests were conducted on a drink bottle and straw found in the restaurant in Tongeren where a girl resembling Madeleine was spotted in the company of a Dutch man and an English-speaking woman on July 28.

However, the DNA was revealed to be that of a man. A police spokesperson said that this did not mean that police had ruled out the possibility that Madeleine had been in the restaurant. They suggested that it was possible that the man with Madeleine may have drunk from the bottle.

Tests are also being carried out on suspected specks of blood found in the holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve where Madeleine was staying with her family when she disappeared on May 3.

Scientists in Birmingham are conducting the tests and, if blood is discovered, then DNA tests will be conducted to see if it matches with Madeleine.

Some newspapers in Portugal have reported that police believe that the four-year-old died in the apartment and was not abducted.

However, Portuguese police have refused to comment on the reports.

Meanwhile, it was reported on Monday that a fresh search at the Portuguese home of Briton Robert Murat - the only formal suspect in the case - over the previous few days had revealed no evidence linking him to Madeleine's disappearance.

Mr Murat has consistently denied any involvement in her disappearance.

(KMcA)


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