The FBI said investigators have located a glove near Nancy Guthrie’s home that appears to visually match the gloves worn by a suspect seen on doorbell camera video at the home.
The FBI said DNA from the recovered glove is being analyzed to determine the identity of a possible suspect.
A first step for investigators when obtaining DNA evidence is to run it through criminal databases to determine if it matches a known criminal.
As part of a burgeoning field known as investigative genetic genealogy, authorities would likely also submit the evidence to third-party DNA-mapping services offered to the general public. Even if the suspect has never used these services, a family member might have, which can provide clues to the suspect’s identity based on the unique nature of family DNA profiling.
Familial DNA was a critical tool used by police in the case of Bryan Kohberger, who was convicted of killing four Idaho college students.
Beyond DNA testing, if the recovered glove is determined to belong to the suspect seen at Guthrie’s home, the location where it was found could be the most important clue yet, suggesting his route of travel after her suspected abduction.