CNN
—
A former forensic scientist with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) manipulated or omitted hundreds of DNA test results, an internal affairs investigation found, and her work during her nearly 30-year career with the bureau was compromised. An internal affairs investigation revealed that the system was to be completely revised. .
The CBI on Friday announced the findings of its investigation into Yvonne “Missy” Woods, finding that the handling of Woods' DNA test data affected 652 cases between 2008 and 2023 and was incomplete in some cases. It was concluded that the results were published. An investigation into her performance from 1994 to 2008 is also underway, the CBI said.
“This discovery calls into question all of her research and the CBI is reviewing all of her previous work on data manipulation to ensure the integrity of all CBI test results.” authorities said. “The CBI has brought in third-party investigative resources to protect the integrity of the investigation.”
Woods, a 29-year veteran of the agency's crime lab, was arrested after the CBI realized that DNA sample testing conducted by Woods “may have deviated from standard operating procedures.” He was placed on administrative leave in October, the department said. She did not perform any laboratory work after that, and she retired on November 6, the company said.
A separate criminal investigation into Woods' conduct is ongoing and the CBI said it continues to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in the state.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser declined to comment on CNN on Friday about the criminal case against Woods.
An internal CBI investigation conducted in conjunction with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation found no DNA match or fabrication of data for Woods. This alleges that Woods omitted important facts from official criminal justice records, including that DNA test results were falsified and violated agency policies ranging from data retention to quality control measures. It has become clear, authorities said.
“The public's trust in our agency is essential to fulfilling our mission,” said CBI Director Chris Schaefer. “Our actions to correct this unprecedented breach of trust will be thorough and transparent.”
In a statement to CNN on Friday, Woods' attorney Ryan Blackley said the findings corroborate Woods' previous statements. “She has never made or reported a false DNA match or exclusion, nor has she testified falsely at a hearing or trial that resulted in a false conviction or false imprisonment.” ”
Blackley said his client has been a “loyal and dedicated forensic scientist” during his time at the agency, working with and training “generations of prosecutors, scientists and law enforcement officials.”
The agency said its forensic team found that Woods deleted or altered data to hide evidence of tampering and failed to “troubleshoot issues within the testing process.” The agency said Woods' manipulation “appears to be the result of an intentional act.”
The CBI also said it was conducting a “comprehensive audit” of all DNA analysts to “ensure the accuracy and completeness of the entire record catalog.” As part of this process, the agency announced that Weld County Sheriff's Office analysts at the Northern Colorado Regional Forensic Laboratory also discovered another incident in which test data may have been manipulated.
The sheriff's office announced last month that it had fired a DNA analyst as a result of an internal investigation.
Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty told CNN in a statement that his office has identified 15 open and 55 closed cases in which Woods testified as a witness.
“Due to the impact on victims and defendants, and our ability to deliver justice, this information has been eagerly awaited by prosecutors across the state for the past several months,” Dougherty said.
The District Attorney's Office stressed that it does not have information on how many cases were affected by Woods' actions and that it is too early to know whether any cases will need to be retried.
Colorado's Fourth Judicial District Attorney's Office told CNN that the CBI has been notified of 75 potentially affected cases in its jurisdiction, adding that Woods was not hired as an expert witness in any of the cases. Ta.
A week after Woods resigned from the CBI, attorney Mark Burton filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of his client, 64-year-old James Hunter, who is currently serving a sentence. The complaint identifies Mr. Woods as the lead scientist in his case and alleges that Mr. Hunter was prosecuted and tried on the basis of fabricated and false evidence.
The suit alleges that Hunter was wrongly convicted of the robbery and sexual assault of a mother and daughter in 2002 by a suspect who was wearing a mask.
Woods conducted an initial microscopic examination of hair taken from the crime scene, which was used as evidence linking Hunter to the crime, according to the complaint. Charges against him were dismissed at a preliminary hearing after another test determined the hair belonged to the victim, according to the lawsuit.
Woods acknowledged the error in the test and told the court it was a “blow to his ego,” according to the suit.
But 10 months after the crime, new hair evidence was introduced into the case and used to indict Hunter on the same charges, according to the complaint.
“There is no verification or documentation of the collection of this hair from the crime scene by the Crime Scene Investigation Unit,” the complaint states.
According to the complaint, Hunter was ultimately convicted of the charges based on hair evidence that Woods examined and examined.
Last month, Woods' attorneys filed a motion to dismiss Hunter's suit.
The Jefferson County District Attorney's Office told CNN it could not comment because there is an active criminal investigation into Woods' actions, including at laboratories within its jurisdiction.
