WASHINGTON — A renewed investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s vast New Mexico estate, long shadowed by unanswered questions, is drawing fresh scrutiny from lawmakers and law enforcement officials, as authorities examine whether critical evidence may have been overlooked for years.

The property, known as Zorro Ranch, spans roughly 7,600 acres in a remote area south of Santa Fe. Once owned by Epstein, the financier who died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, the ranch has remained largely untouched by investigators despite its central role in allegations raised by victims and witnesses.

Now, a bipartisan commission of New Mexico lawmakers has initiated what officials describe as the first comprehensive search of the property.

According to individuals familiar with the effort, law enforcement teams spent several days surveying large portions of the ranch, focusing on areas that had not previously been examined. The operation follows years of frustration among state officials who say earlier attempts to investigate were limited or halted.

In 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigation received a tip alleging that the remains of young victims might be buried somewhere on the property, according to people briefed on the matter. No excavation or full-scale search was conducted at the time.

When state authorities later sought to pursue their own inquiry, they were instructed by federal officials to stand down, several lawmakers said — a decision that is now itself under review.

“We have an obligation to determine whether anything was missed,” said one member of the commission, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation. “If evidence was ignored or suppressed, that raises serious concerns about accountability.”

The renewed search comes as Congress continues to examine the broader network surrounding Epstein, including the financial structures that supported his operations and the extent of his connections to powerful individuals.

On Capitol Hill, Richard Kahn, Epstein’s longtime accountant, recently testified before the House Oversight Committee, where lawmakers pressed him on financial transactions tied to settlements with accusers.

During questioning, Mr. Kahn gave inconsistent responses when asked whether Epstein’s estate had paid a settlement to a woman who had accused former President Donald Trump of sexual assault — an allegation that has been publicly disputed and was not pursued in court.

The exchange added a new layer of complexity to an already sprawling investigation, with lawmakers signaling that financial records could provide insight into how allegations were handled, and whether any efforts were made to conceal misconduct.

“These financial pathways matter,” said one congressional aide involved in the inquiry. “They can show not only who paid whom, but under what circumstances — and potentially why.”

Legal experts caution that conflicting testimony does not, on its own, establish wrongdoing, but may prompt further document requests or additional witness interviews.

Still, the convergence of developments — a physical search of Epstein’s property and renewed scrutiny of his financial dealings — underscores the extent to which questions surrounding his activities remain unresolved years after his death.

For victims and their advocates, the investigation represents a long-delayed effort to uncover the full scope of what occurred.

“There has always been a sense that we don’t have the complete picture,” said an attorney representing several Epstein accusers. “Whether it’s what happened on that property or how settlements were structured, there are still gaps.”

Authorities have not disclosed whether any physical evidence has been recovered from the ranch, and officials emphasized that the search remains ongoing.

The Justice Department declined to comment on past investigative decisions, while the F.B.I. has not publicly addressed why earlier leads were not pursued more aggressively.

As investigators continue their work, the outcome of the search may help answer lingering questions about whether key evidence was overlooked — or whether critical opportunities to fully investigate Epstein’s activities were missed.

For now, the ranch, long a symbol of secrecy and isolation, has once again become the focus of a broader effort to reckon with a case that continues to reverberate through the legal and political systems.