Cold Case Review of Sophie Tuscan du Plantier murder to proceed. **Threadbans lifted - see OP**

There was evidence which is known, that could only have been excluded because a satisfactory explanation was provided (e.g. tire tracks, fingerprints, alibis, maybe even the boot print). Presumably there was more that never saw the public eye, which could have pointed to others.

The problem is we now know how much a shambles the initial investigators were, that any exclusions that happened in the first few days and weeks were almost certainly half-assed and improper.

I’d have more respect for them, if even at this late stage, they put their hand up and said we made serious mistakes.

I’m not asking them to say Bailey shouldn’t have been a suspect- only that they closed down the direction of the murder investigation way too early and have likely missed many clues that could have sent them in alternative directions

If newspaper reports following Baileys death are true, and that Gardai are intending to ultimately send yet another file to the DPP on Bailey, unless this latest FBI forensic review uncovers a smoking gun of some kind linking Bailey, then I think we need serious answers through a Dail committee hearing or something. I’d suggest a tribunal, only for the fact that we’d be waiting 10 years for the report, and in the meantime, the usual senior barristers will make millions from it and the findings will either be redacted due to sensitive information or inconclusive due to so many original investigating Gardai no longer around.

Yeah I thought that was an extraordinary statement to make- I read it as a complete whitewash of the serious questions Gardai need to answer about this case, starting with the vast sums of money they’ve likely spent pursuing one individual with not a shred of credible evidence to put to a jury after nearly 30 years

It was a surprisingly balanced article, which is a rare sight to see. It is interesting that they are using the FBI, not really sure why. Perhaps it is conflict of interest concerns, or perhaps it is the ability to keep everything completely secret, and they are concerned about leaks. Alternatively since there are so many items being tested, there could just be far more resources and equipment available with the FBI. I would think so.

They are testing the boot too it seems, so we almost certainly will see another flag of the unknown DNA, which in and of itself would be an amazing result. If we see multiple hits of that same DNA it would be an immediate line of enquiry I would think, assuming they do consider anyone else but Bailey.

Contamination (touch DNA) on clothes or the brick could be explained - a brick being used to prop a gate open for example, the housekeeper confirmed she was familiar with dressing gown as she put it away from time to time after visits.

All of those possible scenarios you posit are open to being ruled out, in my opinion. Bailey could have done all of the things that you think likely he did not do that morning. Motive is unclear but it beggars belief that he would not, at least, know of Sophie, where she lived and when she visited. I think it likely he had some sort of relationship with her, even if the extent of that was having been introduced to her at some point and, subsequently, meeting her or speaking to her on one or two occasions. I don't think the possibility of him being recognised loitering around Sophie's at an odd hour would have even entered his head because the chances of that even happening were remote. Let's face it, a woman was bludgeoned to death and not one of the very few souls living nearby saw or, more importantly, heard anything that suggested what had taken place yards from their own doorsteps. So, the prospect of being caught in the act was not an inhibiting factor for the killer. He knew he would get away unnoticed, probably even in broad daylight.

Regards getting “away unnoticed , probably even in broad daylight”. This wasn’t a quick attack, I too have been wondering how could the perpetrator be sure that they wouldn’t be caught (seen or heard) by the neighbours or those farming the land? Even more so if they did return to the cottage (thinking of the blood stain by the handle on the door).

It would be interesting to know whether a vehicle of that description (blue ford fiesta I believe), was owned by any of the suspects. You would hope the gardai at least did a cursory assessment of the immediate area to see if there was one owned. I imagine those records would still be available today. Much like many other questions they perhaps just didn't follow up on at all.

It was a blue Ford Fiesta which was reported as being driven dangerously fast. The speculation was that it was an unmarked Garda vehicle.

Again similarly to Bailey, it's a bit cart before the horse to speculate about a garda. I think that rumour came from it being a red registration plate? It would have been simple to ask the question of all the suspects, what car do you drive etc.? Blue ford fiesta was fairly common, did any of the suspects drive one, a decent chance? Another easily followed upon lead. Who knows if they did ask, perhaps there was a list of the cars driven in the first 9 pages of the jobs book….

And you accused me of misinformation. Wow.

“People on here are quick to point out that if Bailey's DNA is found then he's guilty, but seem to then hold everyone else to a lesser standard.”

Baileys DNA on Sophie is a slam dunk- there’s no question there at all - guilty as charged. The only argument at that point is a Garda stitch up- off you go.

For others, such, say the housekeeper, whomever they are - very much less so. You would almost assume some stray hairs or finger prints might be found- not suspicious in itself

Other people, male, known to Sophie whom she met maybe regularly, that’s very much down to nature of DNA found and where it’s found.
If they were regular visitors to the house, and one of their hairs was found on her clothing, it’s not definitive.

Obviously there are more suspect human sources of DNA- and if found, then certainly they’re now under great suspicion . The greater the quantity of DNA found, and the greater the area it’s found on Sophie’s clothes or the items like the brick, the more likely I would argue, they have very serious questions to answer.

But Bailey DNA? Yes fcking guilty as charged

"This really needs to be either substantiated or discredited."

If you can`t substantiate it then it is discredited. It has no basis in fact.