Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic scientist omitted facts, altered DNA, investigators say
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is releasing the contents of its internal affairs report into Yvonne "Missy" Woods, the former forensic scientist analyst accused of omitting facts and altering DNA.
According to a news release CBI issued Wednesday, the agency recently learned that a summary version of the report was being disclosed to the public, so, "as a result of that release," the agency determined it is "necessary and appropriate to share the contents of the 94-page Internal Affairs Report to provide as much transparency as possible without compromising any ongoing investigations."
"Yvonne "Missy" Woods was able to manipulate the DNA testing system. Ultimately CBI detected Woods' manipulation and removed her from her position," the CBI said in the news release.
The CBI said the key findings of the report are:
- Woods omitted material facts in official criminal justice records.
- Woods tampered with DNA testing by altering or omitting some test results from the case file.
- Woods' tampering was not detected by CBI's existing review processes.
- CBI has found no evidence that Woods falsified any DNA matches.
- Woods violated CBI's Code of Conduct and laboratory policies, spanning from data retention to quality control measures.
- Anomalies in Woods' work were reported in September 2023.
- She was placed on administrative leave on October 3, 2023.
- Woods retired on November 6, 2023, before the investigation could be completed.
- In 2023, a research project initiated by management at a CBI laboratory discovered an anomaly in Woods' test data, which led to further investigation and discovery of additional manipulation.
- In 2014, a coworker questioned Woods' testing of evidence in a case and reported concerns to a Technical Leader.
- In 2018, Woods was accused of data manipulation.
- In response, she was removed from casework and given other duties pending a review of the accusation.
- After the review, Woods was later reinstated.
- The results of the 2018 review were not escalated to the former CBI Director or CDPS leadership.
- CBI has initiated additional investigations into the circumstances surrounding the 2018 process.
For nearly 30 years, Woods was a forensic scientist at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation lab.
The CBI says it identified 652 cases that were impacted by Woods' data manipulation between 2008-2023.
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According to the agency's news release issued Wednesday, the CBI collaborated with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for external investigative support with the internal affairs investigation, and a separate criminal investigation into Woods' actions -- conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation -- remains ongoing.
"Following the discovery of Woods' actions in manipulating DNA analysis data in 2023, CBI is meticulously reviewing all of its testing protocols," said CBI Director Chris Schaefer. "Not only is Woods' caseload being reviewed, but we are auditing the results of all current and previous DNA scientists to ensure the integrity of the Lab."
The CBI also said in the news release that while the internal affairs review did not find evidence of Woods falsifying DNA matches or fabricating DNA profiles, she did deviate from standard testing protocols and cut corners, raising concerns about the reliability of her testing.
"We deeply regret that one of our analysts violated CBI's code of conduct and failed to maintain our high standards," Schaefer said in the Wednesday news release.
The CBI maintains that policy changes have already been implemented to address the specific vulnerabilities exploited by Woods.
Further, the CBI says it conducted an internal review of the results of current and former DNA scientists at CBI-accredited labs throughout the state to guarantee the accuracy and completeness of its records.
"While the focus of the IA addressed Woods' misconduct, we acknowledge that it took too long to detect ongoing intentional manipulation of our Lab system," said Schaefer. "We are in the process of identifying an external vendor to conduct an organizational review to ensure that our forensic services procedures and systems adhere to CBI's high standards."
The CBI said in Wednesday's release, "in order to protect the integrity of a pending criminal investigation, no further information can be released at this time."
