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Ex-Colorado crime analyst who manipulated DNA data sentenced to 10 years in prison
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Yvonne “Missy” Woods, a former forensic analyst for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for manipulating DNA data, which compromised the validity of hundreds of criminal cases including homicide and sexual assault.
- Woods pleaded guilty to perjury, attempting to influence a public servant, forgery, and cybercrime, while dozens of other charges were dismissed under a plea agreement; she resigned in 2023 after decades of service.
- Her misconduct led to the vacating of at least one murder conviction and forced prosecutors to review numerous cases, with some defendants receiving reduced sentences due to concerns about the reliability of evidence.
- The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has initiated reforms to restore public trust, emphasizing that Woods’ actions do not reflect the integrity of the organization or its staff.
- Investigations revealed that concerns about Woods’ work dated back over a decade, and the fallout from her actions is expected to cost the state more than $11 million.
