Investigators examining DNA recovered from the home of Nancy Guthrie are uncertain whether the biological material will provide enough information to help identify individuals connected to her disappearance, according to people familiar with the inquiry.
Sources say the DNA sample collected inside Guthrie’s residence in Tucson, Arizona appears to be of low concentration. Law enforcement officials explained that such “low-level” DNA evidence often contains insufficient genetic material to build a clear and reliable profile suitable for comparison with national or commercial DNA databases.
While laboratory scientists can sometimes strengthen weak DNA samples using advanced processing techniques, the procedure may require additional time and does not always guarantee usable results.
The analysis is being conducted by a private laboratory in Pima County Sheriff’s Department’s contract testing partner located in Florida. Officials said the testing has not yet reached a final conclusion regarding whether the material can be transformed into a full genetic profile.
