As the search for Nancy Guthrie enters its 75th day, DNA evidence, including hair found in her Tucson, Arizona home, has been sent to the FBI’s laboratory for advanced analysis.
This follows earlier testing of the evidence at a Florida lab utilized by the Pima County Sheriff’s Office.
Renowned genetic genealogist CeCe Moore expressed optimism about this latest development, stressing the importance of DNA evidence, particularly hair.
“I’ve been really hoping that maybe they did have some hair to work with because of the more recent advancements in the field, hair absolutely can make the case solvable,” the expert said in the latest episode of “Brian Entin Investigates.”
Nancy Guthrie Update: Expert Believes ‘Rootless Hair’ Evidence Could Crack the Case
Moore believes that the DNA sample sent to the FBI recently is “rootless hair,” and that it could be the breakthrough in the Nancy Guthrie case.
The expert explained that if the hair evidence had a root, the case would’ve already been solved.
“I am assuming it’s rootless hair because if it had a root, it would be really quite straightforward, and the lab in Florida would have already done that, and maybe the case would already be solved,” Moore pointed out.
Although rootless hair was previously believed to contain no useful DNA for forensic testing, new technology can now generate SNP profiles from these samples.
Rootless Hair Analysis Could Take Months
As for how long it may take to analyze the hair evidence in the Nancy Guthrie case, Moore said the process could take some time.
“My experience is it can take a number of months,” Moore explained. “I’m sure they would push this to the top of the priority list because it’s still a hot case versus many of the cases we’re using rootless hair that are, you know, decades old.”
Moore stressed that the latest development brings new hope to the case, calling it the “first positive thing” she has heard in some time.
“So, let’s just keep all our fingers crossed that this isn’t from a known visitor to her home, or one of the family members, or Nancy herself,” she added. “And it really could help push the case across the finish line.”
Meanwhile, an FBI official reportedly confirmed that a hair sample collected in February was recently sent to the bureau, according to ABC News.
“There is no new DNA evidence in the Nancy Guthrie case. The FBI requested this material over two months ago,” an FBI official said. “The Pima County Sheriff’s Office sent it to a private lab in Florida. Eleven weeks later, that lab has now transferred an original hair sample to the FBI Laboratory for testing. We remain fully committed to this investigation.”
