What does the judge have on her desk?
According to judicial sources, investigating judge Cristina Pastor Recover is overseeing Preliminary Proceedings 36/26. This is a procedure that is in its very early stages, which is common in these types of tragedies, where the absolute priority is the recovery and identification of the bodies, which, logically, can delay the investigation into the causes.
This work is essential for the investigation, as it will help clarify potential responsibilities, but it also has a fundamental human dimension: to allow family members and loved ones to begin the grieving process.
For this reason, judicial sources explain that, until now, the judge has spent most of her time in the field, authorizing the removal of bodies and overseeing their subsequent identification. Consequently, there has been no material room to pursue other investigations beyond those strictly linked to this initial phase.
What is the next judicial step?
The Civil Guard is working in full coordination with Investigating Court number 2 of Montoro, carrying out various actions at the scene. According to information provided by a member of the judicial police, these are the main functions being carried out:
Forensic Science Service:
This team is responsible for on-site inspection: taking photographs, measuring the road, collecting samples, and analyzing the accident scene. Of particular note are the images showing officers on the apparently fragmented railway track, marking relevant elements for the investigation with numbers.
Although there is no clear hypothesis, sources from the Civil Guard acknowledged that the track breakage is a factor to be taken into high consideration as a possible reason for the accident, however, they do not conclude any definitive data
(Editorial note: possible insertion of that image at this point).
Central Operational Unit of the Civil Guard (UCO):
Known for highly complex investigations, such as the Koldo case, this unit is taking statements and collecting DNA samples from relatives with the aim of subsequently comparing them.
**Judicial Police Organic Unit of Córdoba.** Its role will be key throughout the judicial investigation. It works in close coordination with the court and is responsible for preparing the reports that will be sent to the Public Prosecutor's Office.
These reports will allow the Prosecutor's Office to assess whether to proceed with the criminal case. It will ultimately be the investigating judge who decides whether to extend the preliminary proceedings, that is, to initiate summonses of investigated parties and interrogations, or if, on the contrary, no criminal liability is found and the procedure should continue through the contentious-administrative route to claim damages and losses from the public administration.
According to the sources consulted, the judicial police are already taking statements from technicians and gathering documentation from Adif, Renfe, and Iryo, in addition to coordinating constantly with the court for the task of recovering bodies.
Will there be judicial independence?
It has become known that several associations, some of which are also involved in other significant judicial proceedings, such as the Begoña Gómez case, have requested to intervene in the Adamuz investigation as popular accusersIn a context of growing media and social pressure, it will be the justice system that determines which parties can join the case and who could, if applicable, be held responsible
Judicial investigation is, by definition, independent, or at least it should be. However, it cannot be ignored that there may be pressures that may attempt to interfere in the development of an investigation of this magnitude.
Faced with this, the judicial system has protection mechanisms. The General Council of the Judiciary has tools designed to safeguard the independence of the investigating judge and ensure that the proceedings are carried out in accordance with the law. Judicial sources tell us that the investigation is being carried out with full independence and that, as they say happens in 100% of cases, there will be independence
