Yvonne "Missy" Woods, a former crime lab analyst based in Colorado, has been charged with over 100 criminal counts, including cybercrime, perjury in the first degree, attempts to influence a public servant, and forgery. The charges stem from allegations that Woods altered reports in numerous sexual assault cases. An internal investigation revealed significant discrepancies in her DNA workbooks, leading to these serious accusations.
The investigation into Woods's conduct began when an intern identified a sample from 2018 where the male cycle threshold (CT) value was recorded, but no male quantification value was listed. This discovery prompted a deeper review of Woods's past work. The review unearthed that Woods had allegedly deleted data vital for the quality control process to expedite case processing. She reportedly admitted to deleting data to "simply move specific cases forward quickly to avoid having to do additional work."
Woods's alleged misconduct involved over 30 sexual assault cases where specific values were deliberately omitted, resulting in reports inaccurately stating "No Male DNA Found." In truth, small amounts of male DNA or signs of possible contamination were present. Further, Woods reportedly reran entire batches of DNA multiple times without maintaining proper documentation, raising concerns about the integrity of her analyses.
The financial impact of Woods's alleged actions has been substantial. By the end of 2024, costs associated with addressing her misconduct are estimated at $11,071,486. The charges against her encapsulate 58 instances of alleged criminal misconduct spanning from 2008 to 2023. Her actions have not only cast doubt on numerous case outcomes but have also imposed a significant financial burden on the justice system.
The internal probe into Woods's practices began in September 2024 after her questionable activities came to light. During this investigation, it was found that she had manipulated data by deleting crucial information from her reports, which she allegedly did without considering "what the benefit would be for deleting or manipulating data." The aim, according to Woods, was merely "being able to report the case."