ANKARA, Turkey (AP) – A prosecutor investigating the disappearance of a U.S. citizen from his Mediterranean honeymoon cruise said he had asked George Smith’s family to provide blood samples to compare with blood stains found aboard the ship.

Smith had been on a 12-night cruise, and went missing earlier this month somewhere between Greece and Turkey. He was missing when the ship docked at Kusadasi, a resort area in the Aegean region of Turkey.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity. Civil servants in Turkey are rarely allowed to speak on the record.

The prosecutor said there were blood stains on the ship running from the balcony of Smith’s cabin to the life boats, as well as a hand print at the side of the ship. The family’s blood samples would help investigators establish whether the blood stains came from Smith, he said.

The prosecutor said he was waiting for the blood samples to be able to continue with the investigation.

Smith’s family has not commented. Telephone messages were left with the family Thursday.

A Foreign Ministry official on Tuesday told the Associated Press that Turkish officials had handed over Smith’s file to the U.S. Embassy, effectively turning over the investigation to the U.S. authorities.

The prosecutor however, said that his office would continue with the investigation.

He said several passengers had been questioned – but no one, included Smith’s wife, was suspected of any foul play.

He said Smith’s wife was allowed to leave Turkey, but was helping with the investigation. “She’s at a place where we can reach her easily,” he said.