The sheriff overseeing the investigation into the suspected abduction of Nancy Guthrie blamed lab work, scientific protocols and the judicial process for delays in the investigation, which entered its fourth month Monday, in an interview with local media this week."It's just not a detective goes out there, talks to somebody, and we can make an arrest," he told the Tucson-based KOLD-TV."This is a very sensitive case, but what really makes it prolonged is we do rely on labs."Detectives have relied on lab work for DNA and digital testing in particular, he said.Although the interview was published Monday, a spokesperson for Nanos' office told Fox News Digital he sat down for it "several weeks ago."SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTERA split image shows Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos speaking to reporters about the suspected abduction of Nancy Guthrie, alongside an image of Guthrie seated during a game of mahjong.
(Rebecca Noble/Reuters, Courtesy of NBC)"This is an active and ongoing investigation," the spokesperson said."Forensic analysis of DNA and video evidence remains underway. If and when there is a significant development in this case, it will be shared publicly."In a controversial move that stemmed from a public rift with the FBI, 11 weeks after he sent hair samples from Guthrie's home in the Catalina Foothills to a private genetics lab in Florida, they were forwarded to the bureau's Quantico lab for more advanced testing.
There were also early reports of mixed DNA samples, which are difficult to isolate, and ongoing digital forensic analysis."When you're looking at those labs and the work they do, you have a science there, and science has rules that it has to go by," Nanos said in his local news interview."Even though it's not — DNA they'll tell you isn't an exact science — it's 99% plus.
So it's pretty close, but you still have to follow rules."In addition to scientific protocols, there are also rules for the judicial system, he said.SEND US A TIP HERE...