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So far, 652 cases between 2008 and 2023 are affected. Cases before that are still under review, the CBI said.
COLORADO, USA — A former DNA analyst with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) manipulated DNA results and “cut corners” – and as a result, all of her work at the agency over nearly 30 years has been called into question.
Those were some of the findings of an internal affairs investigation launched in September related to Yvonne “Missy” Woods who had worked at the CBI for 29 years, the agency said Friday.
That month, CBI became aware that DNA sample testing performed by Woods may have “deviated from standard operating procedures.” In October, she was placed on leave and performed no additional work before she retired the following month, the CBI said Friday.
The internal affairs investigation found that Woods “manipulated” data in the DNA testing process and posted “incomplete test results” in some cases. That discovery puts all of her work in question, the CBI said. They’re currently reviewing all of her work.
Since October, CBI’s quality management team has been reviewing all of Woods’ work. So far, they’ve found 652 cases between 2008 and 2023 that have been affected by Woods’ data manipulation. A review of Woods’ work from 1994 to 2008 is underway, CBI said.
According to the investigation, Woods did the following:
- Omitted material facts in official criminal justice records
- Tampered with DNA testing results by omitting some of those results
- Violated CBI’s Code of Conduct and CBI laboratory policies ranging from data retention to quality control measures
The agency also detailed how she allegedly manipulated results. Those findings are below.
- Deleted and altered data that concealed Woods’ tampering with controls
- Deleted data that concealed Woods’ failure to troubleshoot issues within the testing process
- Failed to provide thorough documentation in the case record related to certain tests performed
CBI said the manipulations appeared to be “intentional conduct” on the part of Woods. They don’t believe she falsified DNA matches or fabricated DNA profiles, but instead deviated from standard testing protocols and cut corners, calling into question the reliability of the testing she conducted.
According to CBI’s policies and procedures, Woods should have conducted additional testing to ensure the reliability of her results in these affected cases.
A separate criminal investigation into Woods is still underway, according to the CBI.
They’re also engaged in an audit of all DNA analysts to ensure the accuracy and completeness of their entire catalog of records. During that audit and review process, CBI found that an analyst employed by the Weld County Sheriff’s Office at the Northern Colorado Regional Forensic Laboratory may have also manipulated DNA testing data. CBI referred the case to the Weld County Sheriff’s Office.
Last week the sheriff’s office announced they fired Chiara Wuensch after an internal investigation into her casework. They only said “anomalies” were found in her work and that she was fired because she violated the Weld County Code for expectations of proper conduct, and the sheriff’s office’s standard of conduct policy for not cooperating with the investigation,
A criminal investigation into Wuensch is also underway. It is separate from the Woods case.
CBI collaborated with members of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to ensure an independent evaluation of the scientific and technical issues involved.
Based on the results of this investigation, CBI is evaluating and implementing process and procedural changes that will enhance the integrity of its testing processes and their results.
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