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Former lab analyst sentenced to 10 years in prison for manipulating DNA data
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Former Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic analyst Yvonne “Missy” Woods was sentenced to 10 years in prison for manipulating DNA data, which compromised the validity of hundreds of criminal cases.
- Woods pleaded guilty to perjury, attempting to influence a public servant, forgery, and committing a cybercrime, with dozens of other charges dismissed as part of a plea deal.
- Her misconduct affected cases involving homicide, sexual assault, and robbery, leading to the review of hundreds of cases, the overturning of at least one murder conviction, and reduced sentences in others due to prosecutorial concerns.
- The investigation began in 2023 after missing data was discovered, revealing Woods had altered and deleted DNA evidence to conceal errors and expedite case completions; concerns about her work dated back to 2014.
- The fallout from Woods’ actions is expected to cost Colorado more than $11 million, with ongoing legal challenges and potential retrials in affected cases.
