The scaled down British Metropolitan Police team involved in Operation Grange, the search for Madeleine McCann who disappeared nine years ago from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, have ended its forensic investigation.
The announcement that the forensic work from the operation has ended was made after scientific tests carried out three months ago "didn't take the police forward."
The operation is estimated to have cost the British taxpayer £12 million over five years and it is due to be wound up later this year due to budgetary pressures and the lack of progress made in finding out what happened to Madeleine.
Today’s Sunday Mirror reported an insider who commented that, “The final forensics were carried out about three months ago but, sadly, they didn't take us forward.”
It was hoped the tests on hairs, recovered from the apartment in Praia da Luz, could have led to further lines on inquiry.
Operation Grange has accumulated 1,338 statements and has investigated 60 'persons of interest' but the police seem no closer to finding out what happened to Madeline.
Kate and Gerry McCann (pictured) have said that, 'until we have answers, until there is news, there will always be hope and we will do everything we can to help find Madeleine.'
