They find "organic material" that is "apparently human" in a river near the port of the city where the missing British journalist and researcher was headed

New finding on the disappearance Phillips and Pereira 0:44

(CNN) --

"Organic material" that is "apparently human" was discovered by search teams Friday near the spot where indigenous affairs expert Bruno Pereira and British journalist Dom Phillips were headed to end their journey, in the river near the port of Altalaia do Norte, according to a statement released by the Brazilian Federal Police.

This followed an update from the Federal Police on Thursday when traces of blood were found in a boat belonging to a suspect in the disappearance of Pereira and Phillips.

Veteran foreign correspondent Dom Phillips (C) takes notes as he speaks with indigenous people at Aldeia Maloca Papiú, in Roraima state, Brazil, on November 15, 2019. Credit: JOAO LAET/AFP via Getty Images

Police will now see if those tests match up.

Genetic material from both Pereira and Phillips was also collected on Friday for comparative analysis.

In the last 24 hours, the Crisis Committee of the Federal Police has carried out a "fluvial search and aerial reconnaissance" in the Itaquaí River region.

Phillips and Pereira have been missing since Sunday morning.