As the search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie continues, the investigation is now entering the fourth week since she disappeared from her home in Tucson, Arizona. Traditional investigation methods have so far not led the FBI or Pima County Sheriff’s Department to locate either Guthrie or the suspect.
With no breakthrough in the kidnapping case yet, experts have weighed in about what could help law enforcement discover the identity of the kidnapper or help locate Guthrie, with many suggesting that digital forensics could make the difference.
The Digital Footprint From the Suspect’s Mobile Phone Could Help Make Breakthrough
GettyEven though the suspect seemingly took great care to hide his identity and not leave behind physical evidence, experts believe that he will not have been fully able to mask digital evidence that could pinpoint his identity.
Speaking to Fox News, digital forensics expert Heather Barnhart explained that a variety of different tools can be used to help investigators in this type of case. This could include cell tower data and Wi-Fi logs, as well as something known as a digital blackout where a person purposely turns off smart devices in an attempt to hide their activity.
“The loudest evidence can be the lack of evidence,” Barnhart said. She then made reference to convicted murderer Bryan Kohberger and how his digital blackout helped law enforcement track him down.
“Kohberger literally created bookends around the crime by turning off his device,” she explained. “So in addition to all the clearing and other things that he prepped for to erase his digital footprint, the fact that right before the murder, his phone was turned off, and then within like 40 minutes or so after it was turned back on, kind of gave us that tunnel to look down here.”
Barnhart also spoke to NBC News about how digital forensics is an important tool to investigators.
“Your phone is the silent witness to your life. It knows everything you do,” Barnhart said. “So forming those patterns and then looking for any anomaly of someone trying to hide their digital footprint is key here.”
FBI Move Command Post to Phoenix From Tucson
GettyA source close to the FBI investigation has recently revealed that the federal agency is moving the command post for the case to Phoenix in Arizona. It has previously been based in Tucson, the area where Guthrie lived and was taken from.
According to the source, the change is expected given that the Arizona base for the FBI is located in Phoenix. It will also act as a more efficient and effective base of operations as most of the agents working on the case are originally stationed in Phoenix rather than Tucson.
The source told CBS News investigative squads, SWAT teams, and evidence recovery teams would remain on-site in Tucson.
