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West Valley City police on Tuesday said a laboratory has finished examining suspicious charred wood found during a desert search for Susan Cox Powell, but the department would not say whether the wood bears a connection to the missing woman.

"Those results have come back," said Sgt. Mike Powell, who is no relation to Susan Powell. "However, we are not able to discuss the specifics of those results at this point."

"In a general statement, I can definitely tell you that the investigation is progressing forward," Mike Powell added.

Susan Cox Powell's father, Chuck Cox, on Tuesday said police had not informed him of the lab results.

On Sept. 14, cadaver dogs searching near Topaz Mountain in Juab County indicated the presence of human remains. Police excavated the site but found only what they described as charred wood and theorized they may have been used to incinerate human remains. Police said the site looked less than 10 years old, but there was otherwise no evidence of a connection to the Susan Powell disappearance.

Detectives sent the wood to a crime lab for analysis.

Powell, 28, has been missing since Dec. 6, 2009. Her husband, Josh Powell, has said he had taken the couple's young sons, then ages 2 and 4, on a winter camping trip to Simpson Springs in Tooele County, and returned home to find his wife gone without a trace.

Police reminded the public there is a $10,000 reward for information leading to the whereabouts of the woman. They encourage anyone with information to call the West Valley City Police Department at 801-840-4000.

The case continues to be a "top priority" for the department, and a team of detectives has been assigned to it full time, according to a news release.

ncarlisle@sltrib.com

Twitter: @natecarlisle —

Susan Powell story on air

P NBC's "Dateline" will air its report on the Susan Powell case at 8 p.m. Friday.