DNA ANALYST SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS AFTER MANIPULATING EVIDENCE IN HUNDREDS OF CRIMINAL CASES

She was trusted with evidence that could decide a person’s fate. Now, a former Colorado forensic analyst is behind bars after admitting she manipulated DNA data for years — leaving hundreds of criminal cases under a cloud of doubt.

Yvonne “Missy” Woods, a former forensic analyst with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, has been sentenced to 10 years in state prison after admitting to manipulating DNA data and laboratory records during her decades-long career.

Woods, 66, pleaded guilty in June to felony charges including cybercrime, first-degree perjury, attempting to influence a public servant and forgery.

The misconduct occurred between 2008 and 2023, when Woods was working as a forensic scientist for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

Now, the fallout is reaching far beyond one courtroom.

THE DISCOVERY THAT UNRAVELED EVERYTHING

The investigation began in September 2023 after a CBI intern noticed that DNA data was missing from a sample Woods had processed years earlier.

That discovery triggered a much larger review.

Investigators eventually identified 53 cases involving false or misleading laboratory reports containing statements attributed to Woods.

In 41 of those cases, no criminal charges were ever filed against a suspect.

Prosecutors said many involved women and children who had reported sexual assaults.

In some instances, Woods allegedly deleted information showing that male DNA was present and then issued reports indicating that no male DNA had been found.

According to prosecutors, that conduct potentially eliminated opportunities for investigators to conduct additional testing, make comparisons or pursue new leads.

HUNDREDS MORE CASES WERE AFFECTED

The number of cases directly tied to false reports was only part of the scandal.

Authorities said Woods’ manipulation of values in laboratory notes affected hundreds of additional cases, although those alterations did not result in a false report.

The cases involved serious crimes including homicide, sexual assault and robbery.

Importantly, investigators said they did not find evidence that Woods created false DNA matches, false comparisons or false positive results.

But the damage was still enormous.

One murder conviction has already been vacated after Woods’ misconduct came to light, while other cases have faced challenges or additional scrutiny.

A CAREER THAT LASTED DECADES

Woods worked for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation from 1994 until 2023.

But an internal review later revealed that concerns about her work had surfaced years before the scandal became public.

According to AP, questions about Woods’ testing were raised as early as 2014, and she was temporarily removed from DNA-related work in 2018 after accusations of data manipulation.

She ultimately resigned in 2023.

The investigation that followed exposed years of problems within the forensic process and forced authorities to reconsider cases connected to her work.

“I FAILED THAT RESPONSIBILITY”

At her sentencing, Woods apologized and acknowledged the devastating consequences of her actions.

She said she had been entrusted with evidence that could have profound consequences for defendants, victims, families and courts — and admitted that she failed that responsibility.

Judge Andrew Poland described her conduct as intentional misconduct by a highly trained professional who occupied a position of extraordinary trust.

The court ultimately sentenced Woods to 10 years in prison.

THE DAMAGE MAY COST MILLIONS

The scandal has also created a massive financial and institutional burden.

Colorado officials have said the response and review of affected cases could cost more than $11 million.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has promised reforms to its forensic laboratories as officials attempt to rebuild public confidence.

The agency’s director, Armando Saldate, stressed that the actions of one employee should not define the many forensic professionals who continue working within the system.

But for the victims, defendants and families whose cases passed through Woods’ hands, the questions may continue for years.

One missing piece of DNA data exposed a scandal that had been hiding for years.

And now, hundreds of criminal cases are being forced back under the microscope.

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