"We would not take DNA unless we believed that person was Madeleine because I did not want to set a precedent. If it became known in the media I had taken DNA off an individual quite likely not to be Madeleine, I was concerned I would have had a lot of people coming forward saying I'm Madeleine'. I genuinely have major concerns about approaching the family to say I intend to take DNA from an individual that could have raised their hopes."
"He said the police had already judged Wandelt not to be Madeleine due to a lack of resemblance and that she was two years older than the missing girl. But, he said, after finding out Leicester police planned to arrest Wandelt on stalking charges, he made the decision that the DNA would be taken upon arrest. He said: A comparison took place. It conclusively proved that Julia Wandelt is not Madeleine McCann."
Julia Wandelt, 24, is accused of a campaign of harassment against Madeleine McCann's family, sending hundreds of calls, messages, voicemails and letters between 2022 and earlier this year and appearing at their home demanding a DNA test. DCI Mark Cramwell said 13 people had previously claimed to be the missing girl and police would not normally take DNA unless convinced the person was Madeleine to avoid setting a precedent or raising false hopes. Police judged Wandelt not to be Madeleine based on lack of resemblance and age, but DNA taken on arrest conclusively proved she is not Madeleine McCann, and Cramwell informed her of the comparison in custody.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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