A former forensic analyst for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for manipulating DNA data, a misconduct that has cast doubt on the validity of hundreds of criminal cases.
Yvonne “Missy” Woods pleaded guilty in June to perjury, attempting to influence a public servant, forgery, and committing a cybercrime, according to the Denver Post. Dozens of other charges were dismissed as part of her plea agreement.
State District Judge Andrew Poland sentenced Woods to the prison term on Tuesday. She faced between 8 and 16 years. Woods had resigned in 2023 after a career spanning decades.
Prosecutors accused Woods of altering data to conceal tampering, deleting information that indicated she failed to troubleshoot testing issues, and not adequately documenting tests in case records. Authorities stated that her actions impacted cases involving homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and other crimes.
Following the sentencing, Colorado Bureau of Investigation officials announced efforts to reform their laboratories in an attempt to restore public trust. Bureau Director Armando Saldate stated that the actions of one individual do not define the organization or its dedicated employees.
The investigation into Woods’ misconduct began in September 2023 after an intern discovered missing information in a 2018 case handled by Woods. According to an arrest affidavit, Woods allegedly told investigators at one point that she had altered data to expedite case completion.
As a result of Woods' misconduct, at least one murder conviction has been vacated. Michael Clark was released from prison in 2025 after his lawyers successfully argued that Woods had mishandled DNA evidence. Prosecutors have stated their intention to retry him.
In two other homicide cases, defendants received reduced sentences under plea agreements due to prosecutors’ concerns that Woods’ involvement might lead to acquittals if the cases proceeded to trial.
Convictions in other cases across Colorado have also been challenged in court. An internal affairs report from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation in 2024 indicated that concerns about Woods’ work first emerged more than a decade ago. By 2014, a colleague had questioned her evidence testing, and in 2018, she was temporarily removed from DNA case work after allegations of data manipulation surfaced. State officials estimate the response to Woods’ actions could cost over $11 million.
Woods apologized during her sentencing hearing, acknowledging that her words could not undo the harm caused. "For many years I was entrusted with evidence that could have profound consequences for defendants, victims, families and the courts. I failed that responsibility. I am deeply sorry for that failure," she said, as reported by the Denver Post.