• Forensic experts criticize the decision to send DNA evidence to a private Florida lab instead of the FBI's Quantico facility
  • Sheriff Chris Nanos defends using DNA Labs International, citing years of collaboration and pro bono services
  • Unidentified DNA not belonging to Nancy Guthrie or close contacts was discovered at the crime scene
TUCSON, AZ (TDR) — As the search for missing Nancy Guthrie enters its third week, forensic experts are questioning why Pima County investigators shipped critical DNA evidence to a private laboratory nearly 2,000 miles away in Florida rather than utilizing the FBI's renowned crime lab in Quantico, Virginia. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from DNA testing professionals who argue the distance and processing delays could compromise the investigation into the apparent abduction of the 84-year-old mother of NBC "Today" show anchor Savannah Guthrie.
Sheriff Chris Nanos defended the arrangement Friday, insisting his department has contracted with DNA Labs International in Deerfield Beach for years and that consolidating evidence at one facility prevents complications. However, a law enforcement official told Reuters the outsourcing decision is effectively delaying federal assistance in a case where "every hour matters."

Expert Warns Against 'Devastating' Delays

Kristen Mittelman, co-founder of Othram, a forensic genealogy company specializing in cold cases, publicly slammed Sheriff Nanos' decision as "devastating" for the investigation's timeline.
"Every hour matters. The decision to send evidence to a lab 2,000 miles away instead of utilizing the FBI's resources is devastating when you're searching for a missing person." —Kristen Mittelman, Co-founder, Othram, Feb. 13, 2026
A former FBI agent echoed those concerns, warning that police cannot afford delays in a potential kidnapping case where the victim's survival chances diminish with each passing day. Dr. Michael Baden, a renowned forensic pathologist, analyzed photos of blood droplets found at Guthrie's home, confirming the DNA matched Nancy Guthrie and suggesting she was bleeding from either her hands or face during the apparent abduction.
"The nature of the blood spots with little pale centers or donut shapes are typical for drops that come from the nose or mouth, because they're mixed with air. That means she's coughing up blood or dripping from the nose." —Dr. Michael Baden, Forensic Pathologist, Feb. 13, 2026

Sheriff Defends Florida Lab Contract

Sheriff Nanos maintained Friday that his office and the FBI jointly decided to route evidence to DNA Labs International, noting the facility is processing the samples pro bono and already holds DNA from Guthrie family members and home workers for comparison.
"If you have two labs you're looking at, and one's bad or one's better, that's fine. That's not the case here, nobody's saying that. Let's just use one lab, they have it all, the reports are generated, those reports are shared between both agencies, and we keep moving." —Sheriff Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff, Feb. 13, 2026
The Pima County Sheriff's Department revealed Friday that investigators collected DNA samples from the property that do not belong to Nancy Guthrie or individuals in close contact with her, though officials have not disclosed where the genetic material was found. The department is working to identify the source of this unknown DNA.
"We did get some DNA back, and we are looking at all those things. Boy, I wish it did [lead to a suspect]. Not yet. We've got DNA, and it's still working, that's all I can tell you." —Sheriff Chris Nanos, Feb. 13, 2026

Family Enters Third Week Of Agony

The Guthrie family has maintained public pressure on investigators while pleading directly with potential kidnappers. Savannah Guthrie, along with her siblings, released a video statement Saturday begging for their mother's safe return and indicating willingness to pay any ransom.
"We received your message, and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay." —Savannah Guthrie, Feb. 8, 2026
The investigation has generated over 30,000 leads, according to Sheriff Nanos, yet no arrests have been made and no suspects publicly identified. One person was detained Tuesday in Rio Rico, Arizona, but was subsequently released after questioning. Derrick Callella, a separate individual, faces charges for allegedly sending a fake ransom note to the family.

Questions About Resource Allocation

DNA Labs International, founded in 2004 by Kirsten Charlson, has assisted in solving numerous cold cases including the 1998 murder of Linda Marie Rutledge in Kentucky and the identification of remains belonging to Tanice "Tana" Laatch in Oregon after nearly two decades. However, critics argue that in an active kidnapping investigation, proximity and speed should outweigh established contracts.
The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie's recovery and released surveillance footage showing a masked individual wearing a gun holster and Ozark Trail backpack tampering with the doorbell camera at Guthrie's home on the night she disappeared. The blood evidence discovered on the front porch has been confirmed as belonging to the missing 84-year-old, raising concerns about her physical condition.
When critical forensic evidence in an active kidnapping investigation is sent to a laboratory 2,000 miles away while federal resources remain available locally, what protocols should guide law enforcement's decisions between established vendor relationships and the urgency of expedited processing in life-or-death cases?

Sources

This report was compiled using information from Daily Mail's coverage of DNA delays, Fox News reporting on expert criticism, CBS News interview with Sheriff Nanos, Palm Beach Post analysis of DNA Labs International, WRAL's timeline of the investigation, Fox News forensic analysis by Dr. Baden, ABC 33/40 reporting on unknown DNA, People magazine's coverage of the DNA discovery, and KVOA's local reporting from Tucson.

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