Investigators have found female DNA on a fragment of one of the pressure cooker bombs used by the Tsarnaev brothers during the April 15 attack at the Boston Marathon. Investigators have yet to determine if this means there was a third suspect involved according to The Wall Street Journal.
U.S. officials were quick to explain that until further investigation is done people should not rush to the conclusion that this means the Tsarnaev brothers were helped by a third party. For example, the genetic material could have come from a store clerk who handled components of the explosive before they were assembled.
The discovery of the DNA along with a fingerprint found on the bomb has allowed investigators to expand their search for possible accomplices of the Tsarnaev brothers. This includes the widow of Tamerlan Tsarnaev, Katherine Russell according to law enforcement officials who spoke with The New York Times.
The FBI was seen searching the house of Russell's parents, as well as, leaving the house with bags marked "DNA Samples." FBI spokesman Jason Pack vaguely explained the situation.
"The FBI is there as part of our ongoing investigation," Pack said. "We aren't permitted to discuss specific aspects of the case."
In addition to exploring any possible connection the DNA evidence may have to the bombing, investigators have been looking into what exactly the elder Tsarnaev brother was doing when he visited Russia from January to July of 2012.
Two Russian Government officials claim Tsarnaev met with a known militant and jihad recruiter, Mansur Mahkmud Nadal, several times according to The Wall Street Journal.
The Russian officials believe Tsarnaev had planned to join Nadal to fight in the Dagestan region, but his plans were ruined when Nadal was shot and killed after a standoff with police last May.
"He intended to join the fighters but he lost his contacts," the official said. "In the end he picked an easier enemy in Boston."
In a conversation with The New York Times law enforcement officials stated that they don't think the Tsarnaev brothers were connected to any terrorist organizations, but are still skeptical that they may have received assistance from others.
