They are merely assumptions intended to narrow down the search area. The report is quite clear on this pointing out that the assumptions have no bearing on the accident investigation.
Perhaps, but that sounds contradictory. If assumptions are intended to narrow down the search area, then how can they not have a bearing on the investigation process? I grant they need to make some assumptions and test them, but I think the public reporting of unproven assumptions might not be beneficial, as it creates public speculation and false expectations.