Police dogs search missing girl's home

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (CNN) -- Investigators looking for missing 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart returned to her home Thursday with police dogs and questioned her younger sister for a fifth time.

In addition, they have used polygraph tests in their questioning of numerous people, including family members. Elizabeth's father, Ed Smart, took a polygraph test last week.

A law enforcement source involved in the investigation told CNN the results of a lie-detector test on a member of the extended family were "inconclusive."

Asked about the implications, the source said, "You want to keep looking at the person."

For example, the source said, police will investigate whether the person has an alibi on the night of the kidnapping. All polygraph tests have been administered to males, the source said.

At the Smarts' sprawling 6,600-square-foot home, police canvassed the yard with dogs. Police would not elaborate on why the dogs were there or what they were searching for.

Police also spoke again with the missing girl's 9-year-old sister, Mary Catherine, for a third consecutive day -- the fifth time she has spoken with police.

She was sleeping in the room with Elizabeth and is the only known witness to the abduction.

Wanted for questioning Bret Michael Edmunds, white male, age 26, 235 pounds, brown eyes. Believed driving green 1997 Saturn, Utah tag 266XJH. Considered "dangerous" by police but not a suspect. Elizabeth Smart tip line 800-932-0190 or 801-799-3000 CNN NewsPass VIDEO Investigators in Utah say they have developed a working profile of a suspect in the abduction of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart. CNN's Frank Buckley reports. (June 12) Play video CNN's Frank Buckley says police are refocusing the search for Elizabeth Smart to the area surrounding her home. (June 11) Play video   EXTRA INFORMATION • Gallery: The search for Elizabeth Smart  • Web site for Elizabeth Smart

Authorities say the girl has been cooperative in the interviews and has provided useful information about the abductor.

"If she had recognized the person and been able to give us a name or recognize it as being a family member, we believe she probably would have told us that," said Capt. Scott Atkinson.

Family under scrutiny

The renewed focus came as police said family, friends and neighbors in the upscale Federal Heights neighborhood were among those under scrutiny.

Police also faced extensive questions Thursday after the Salt Lake Tribune ran a front-page story that police were eyeing her relatives.

The article said police cannot explain how the abductor got through the small window believed to be the main entry point, and suggested someone inside the home made the window appear as though a break-in had occurred there.

The law enforcement source with whom CNN spoke said there is "no forensic evidence to back that up."

Police said interviewing relatives in a missing person case is "typical" and just one of many elements police are investigating.

"I don't think that we are putting any more weight on this particular theory than we have on any others," Atkinson said.

One of the girl's uncles said authorities would be "negligent" if they didn't include family members in the investigation.

"If the police did not investigate us, they would not be doing their job," said David Smart.

Atkinson described family members as "very cooperative."

"We're still refocusing on this area, the neighborhood, family, extended family, friends, people who would have a reason to be in the house, to be in this neighborhood -- the same thing we were doing yesterday," Atkinson told reporters.

Asked whether the extended family was the "primary focus" of the investigation, Atkinson responded, "I wouldn't characterize it like that."

Police also searched for a 26-year-old transient seen in the neighborhood one or two days before Elizabeth disappeared. Police said the man, Bret Michael Edmunds, is not a suspect but is wanted for questioning.

"We do not believe that Mr. Edmunds was involved," Atkinson said.

Police released a picture and details on Edmunds, including the fact he was known to sleep in his car and that he faces outstanding criminal warrants charging him with fraud and assaulting a police officer.

Family holding out hope

Police describe Elizabeth's abductor as a 5-foot-8-inch white man who was wearing a white jacket and white baseball cap and was armed with a black handgun.

Elizabeth was kidnapped at gunpoint from her bedroom about 1 a.m. June 5 while her parents slept, according to authorities. Police received a phone call at 4:01 a.m. that she had been taken.

Meanwhile, the family held out hope the blond, 5-foot-6-inch, 108-pound girl is still alive. In addition to the two girls, the family has four boys.

"They're very positive and very enthusiastic and very, very spiritually uplifted and hopeful that this will have a happy ending," said Andrew McGregor, who is heading the volunteer search efforts.

"Somehow we have a lot of hope still," said Tom Smart, another of the girl's uncles. "We're praying for a miracle, and we are asking for a miracle, and we believe that there is a miracle there."

Police Chief Rick Dinse said he believes the abductor has "had access to" the neighborhood for some time.

Investigators have spoken with contractors and real estate agents in the area regarding the case.

The seven-bedroom, six-bath home is for sale for more than $1 million. Ed Smart is a real estate and mortgage broker.