The Colorado Bureau of Investigation Reveals Issues with DNA Scientist Yvonne “Missy” Woods’ Cases
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation recently concluded its review of longtime DNA scientist Yvonne “Missy” Woods’ 30-year career, identifying problems in over 1,000 criminal cases she handled. The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office is currently conducting a criminal investigation into Woods’ actions.
According to a statement on the CBI website, the review of Woods’ work uncovered 1,003 “impacted” cases. The agency assured that any new information discovered will be thoroughly examined.
Woods’ attorney, Ryan Brackley, maintains her innocence, stating that she never provided false testimony or incorrectly reported DNA matches or exclusions in court cases.
The CBI leadership became aware of Woods’ misconduct in late 2023, where it was revealed that she had cut corners in her DNA testing and manipulated lab data to cover up her actions.
To address the impact of Woods’ actions, state lawmakers allocated $7.4 million for remediation efforts, including funds for retesting DNA samples and supporting district attorney’s offices facing wrongful conviction claims.
Despite concerns raised by colleagues over the years, CBI officials allowed Woods to continue her work without intervention. The agency also failed to utilize a federally mandated oversight process for forensic testing misconduct.
Multiple cases in Colorado have already been affected by Woods’ faulty work, leading to potential wrongful convictions. In response, CBI hired a consulting firm from Wisconsin to audit its forensic services in October.
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