Podcast Summary: Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: “GUTHRIE GLOVE DNA, NO DATABASE MATCH”

Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Nancy Grace
Featured Guests: Andrew Black (Former FBI), Dave Mack (Investigative Reporter), Tammy Ballard (DNA Expert), Scott Eicher (Digital Forensics), Sky Lazaro (Criminal Defense Attorney)

Overview

This episode revolves around the high-profile disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie, focusing on recent developments in the investigation—particularly the discovery and forensic testing of a glove found near Nancy’s home. The panel discusses law enforcement communication, DNA evidence and its processing, the use of technology in the ongoing search, and investigative methods. There are also conversations about the challenges and potential outcomes related to these investigative routes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Law Enforcement Communication and the Press

• Sheriff Nanos’ Press Releases Draw Critique
  • Nancy and former FBI agent Andrew Black critique Pima County Sheriff Nanos' handling of press statements, particularly the exoneration of the Guthrie family and a pessimistic statement about possibly taking a year to solve the case.
    • "Did Nanos go rogue again and issue another statement without consulting with the FBI?" (Nancy, 03:17)
    • "What I'd like to see is Sheriff Nanos deferring to the FBI for all communication... The public needs to hear from the investigators on a regular basis." (Andrew Black, 04:03)
  • The team emphasizes the importance of consistent, professional information flow from the FBI for public trust.

2. The Glove and DNA Evidence: Progress and Setbacks

• Glove DNA Analysis

  • The glove found 1.5 miles from Guthrie’s home yielded male DNA but no hit in the CODIS national database.
    • "The male DNA found on the glove did not have a hit when it was run through CODIS right now." (Dave Mack, 06:57)
  • Ongoing efforts include state-level database checks and advanced forensic comparisons.
  • The glove shown in news photos was not the one tested—misleading some public narratives.
    • "That was a photo of a glove found. That doesn't mean it was the glove sent to be tested. So there's a subtle but important distinction." (Nancy, 07:31)

• DNA Processing Details

  • Tammy Ballard (crime scene consultant) explains the limits of CODIS: labs like DNA Labs International can only search the national database, not state-specific offenders/suspects or perform familial searches.
    • "The Florida lab and also the FBI laboratory would not have been able to go into a state CODIS database... Now they've got to get that state lab to be able to test the data, get that into the CODIS database for the state level." (Tammy Ballard, 09:15)
  • State labs now retesting DNA for possible familial or state-level matches.

• Matching Evidence from Glove and Home

  • Pending: Whether the glove DNA matches DNA found inside the Guthrie home.
    • "What I really want to know is did the DNA in or on that glove found in the area of Nancy's home match the DNA found in the home?" (Nancy, 27:50)
  • Ballard: Expecting STR profile comparisons; the DNA quality from the glove was strong.
    • "That tells me that there is a very strong contributor. Even if there's a mixture, it sounds like the majority of that DNA is associated with one person." (Tammy Ballard, 29:53)

3. Use of Modern Search and Surveillance Technologies

• BlueFly/Bluetooth Tracking for Pacemaker

  • Scott Eicher explains how a “BlueFi” device scans for Bluetooth signals—search teams use it to detect the unique MAC address of Guthrie’s pacemaker, as it does not emit a GPS signal.
    • "BlueFi is basically a Bluetooth scanner... this is a bigger and more powerful device... it can pick up Bluetooth signal 660–800ft, two and a half football fields away." (Scott Eicher, 16:41 & Dave Mack, 17:55)
    • "Her pacemaker has a MAC address, just like a computer or anything else that has Bluetooth. That MAC address is specific for her pacemaker..." (Scott Eicher, 20:14)
  • Technology moved from helicopter-based sniffer to low-flying drones for greater precision.

• Forensic Light Sources in Crime Scene Investigation

  • Andrew Black shares that the FBI can use alternate light sources (UV/blue light) to reveal DNA/bodily fluids invisible to the naked eye.
    • "FBI and local law enforcement have enhanced technology and lighting called alternate light sources... to illuminate where DNA can be located." (Andrew Black, 44:52)

4. Gun Shop Canvassing and Photo Arrays

• FBI Agents Visit Gun Shops with Suspect Photos
  • FBI canvassed Tucson gun and pawn shops with 40 photos/names in search for leads.
    • "They did have this list... went all throughout Tucson... showing pictures and talking to sellers about businesses they've been conducting with selling firearms." (Dave Mack, 26:45)
  • Discussion about the origins of these names and the caution required in assembling lawful, non-suggestive lineups.
    • "A photo array lineup is governed largely by the same rules as an in-person lineup. It can't be persuasive... can't be a false lineup." (Nancy, 35:32)
    • Sky Lazaro points out the due process risks and constitutional challenges if the array isn’t managed correctly.
      • "I think this can be hugely problematic, especially if they identify someone... It's a huge due process problem." (Sky Lazaro, 36:22)

5. Additional Crime Scene & Investigative Strategies

• Touch DNA and Secondary Transfer

  • Ballard discusses where touch DNA might be located inside the home and how cross-contamination can occur through the suspect’s personal items, protective gear, or by handling/eating objects like a "bite light."
    • "The average person doesn't realize that they're cross-contaminating their gloves with their own DNA with the simplest of tasks... his DNA is on these items and would transfer onto those gloves. Then those gloves could be that transfer inside the house for touch DNA as well." (Tammy Ballard, 40:03)
  • Potential secondary evidence includes saliva on the suspected perpetrator’s flashlight, face mask, and more.

• Retail Leads from Walmart

  • Many items (gloves, backpack, holster, burner phone) associated with the suspect are sold at Walmart, narrowing investigative focus and possibly providing surveillance and purchase records.
    • "It's a cheap about a ten dollar polyester holster... only available at two Tucson Walmarts. What if this guy... got it all at once and there would be the receipt for the FBI to find." (Nancy, 43:31)

• Border Proximity and Suspect Profile

  • Discussion around Tucson’s proximity to the Mexican border and the possibility of a cross-border escape, though current evidence suggests a local perpetrator.
    • "Tucson is considered a border town... it's not uncommon for individuals who are eluding law enforcement to cross over into the border... But investigators believe this is a local crime." (Andrew Black, 47:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Law Enforcement’s Public Messaging:
  • "Why would he blurt that out? She could be found tomorrow. She could be found tonight. Why would he say that? It was like a kick to the teeth."
    — Nancy Grace (05:00)
• On DNA Limitations:
  • "Maybe you get lucky that it's somebody in the national database and now you work from there... There's still additional items that are being analyzed..."
    — Tammy Ballard (08:29)
• On BlueFly’s Range:
  • "They've developed this blue fly technology, Nancy, that it goes 660 to 800ft. So, yes, you're talking two and a half football fields away. It can pick up the Bluetooth signal..."
    — Dave Mack (17:55)
• On Legal Complexities of ID:
  • "I think this can be hugely problematic, especially if they identify someone... It's a huge due process problem."
    — Sky Lazaro (36:22)
• On DNA Transfer:
  • "I wear a glove very differently than a normal human wears a glove. So I guarantee that perpetrator was touching his holster. Everything on his person... So you've got his DNA on the outside of those gloves as well as the inside."
    — Tammy Ballard (40:03)
• On Technological Advancements:
  • "There are electronic stores... the public can purchase these devices and use them for scanning for spyware in their own house..."
    — Andrew Black (23:48)

Important Timestamps

• [03:17] – Nancy Grace challenges Sheriff’s unsanctioned statements
• [04:03] – Andrew Black on FBI vs. Sheriff’s public communications
• [06:57] – Dave Mack on glove DNA and CODIS failure
• [08:29] – Tammy Ballard details DNA testing steps and limitations
• [16:41] – Scott Eicher explains BlueFi technology for pacemaker search
• [17:55] – Dave Mack on BlueFly range: 660–800ft
• [26:45] – Dave Mack describes FBI canvassing Tucson gun shops
• [35:32] – Nancy Grace and Sky Lazaro debate legality of photo array lineups
• [40:03] – Ballard on glove contamination with personal DNA
• [44:52] – Andrew Black on Walmart retail leads and forensic light sources
• [47:58] – Andrew Black addresses border proximity in suspect profiling

Conclusion

In this dynamic episode, Nancy Grace and her panel dissect the complexities of the Guthrie disappearance investigation, laying bare both the hope and frustration inherent in modern forensic searches. The case pivots on cutting-edge DNA analysis, advanced search technology, and strategic law enforcement practices, with the investigative process scrutinized from every angle. Expert guests weigh in candidly on procedural, forensic, and constitutional challenges as the search for Nancy Guthrie continues.