TUCSON, Ariz. — A prominent forensic geology firm has criticized the Pima County Sheriff’s Department for opting to send vital evidence in the Nancy Guthrie investigation to a private laboratory in Florida, bypassing the FBI’s expertise.

“This is so devastating,” remarked Kristen Mittelman, co-founder of Othram. “DNA Labs International operates as a traditional forensic lab, focusing on creating a short tandem repeat (SRT) profile. It puzzles me that the evidence wasn’t dispatched to Quantico, where they excel at such processes and could immediately advance the investigation by collaborating with us to infer identity.”

Othram, based in Texas, has a notable history of aiding law enforcement in identifying high-profile criminals, such as the notorious Bryan Kohberger, through its forensic genetic genealogy expertise.

On February 3, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos addressed the media in Catalina, Arizona, regarding the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie. (Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images)

As reported by KOLD, the evidence in question has been sent to DNA Labs International, situated in Deerfield Beach, Florida. This decision follows a state contract with the company for “biological laboratory services,” effective from 2022 and extending through March. Sheriff Nanos opted for this lab despite the strategic advantage the FBI might offer.

Mittelman emphasized the urgency of the situation, pointing out that time is of the essence, especially in the Guthrie case.

She also said that Othram worked the case of formerly unidentified murder victim Evelyn Colon after DNA Labs International couldn’t crack the case. Colon, previously known as Beth Doe, was murdered in New Jersey in 1976. She was identified in 2021.

An FBI billboard in Albuquerque, N.M., raising awareness about the search for missing Nancy Guthrie.  (KRQE)

A federal law enforcement source told Fox News Digital that the evidence will need to be retested by the FBI anyway.

“It’s just the FBI developed this method and can do it so much better without destroying the evidence,” the source said. “I’ve seen so many cases go to Florida and be consumed. Also, they are not as fast, and in this case, time matters.”

On Thursday, a federal law enforcement source accused Nanos of blocking the FBI from obtaining the evidence, first reported by Reuters and confirmed by Fox News Digital.

“It risks further slowing a case that grows more urgent by the minute,” the official told Reuters, citing unspecified “earlier setbacks” in the investigation. The official also criticized Nanos for not requesting help from the FBI earlier in the case.

FBI investigators search Catalina Foothills in Tucson, Arizona, Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie continues. (DWS for Fox News Digital)

Nanos denied those allegations, telling KOLD that the Pima County Sheriff’s Department simply wants all evidence to be examined at the same lab.

He reportedly said he had a meeting with agents on Thursday, and was told by agents, “We do not want the media to divide us.”

Earlier this week, the FBI released doorbell camera footage of a suspect, recorded at Guthrie’s home shortly before authorities believe she was abducted or kidnapped.

The suspect is described as a male between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-10, with an average build. He was wearing an Ozark Trail Hiker Pack.

Photos released on Feb. 10, 2025, show a “subject” on Nancy Guthrie’s property.  (Provided by FBI)

The Pima County Sheriff’s Office did not return a comment request.

DNA Labs International declined to comment.

Nancy Guthrie disappearance timeline: 
Jan. 31, 2026
• Between 9:30–9:45 p.m. – Family drops Nancy off at home
• 9:50 p.m. – Garage door closes (per authorities)
Feb. 1, 2026
• 1:47 a.m. – Doorbell camera disconnects
• 2:12 a.m. – Security camera detects motion
• 2:28 a.m. – Pacemaker disconnects from phone application
• 11:56 a.m. – Family checks on Nancy after she misses weekly church livestream gathering
• 12:03 p.m. — 911 called
• 12:15 p.m. — Sheriff’s deputies arrive at home