Former Colorado forensic scientist accused of manipulating DNA test results

A former Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic scientist violated standard testing protocols and manipulated DNA test results in hundreds of cases, prompting further investigation into her decadeslong work, an internal affairs investigation found.

The investigation revealed that Yvonne "Missy" Woods had manipulated data in the DNA testing process and posted incomplete results in some cases, the bureau announced Friday. Though the bureau did not find she falsified DNA matches or fabricated DNA profiles, the investigation raised questions about her previous work.

Investigators have identified 652 cases affected by Woods' data manipulation from 2008 through 2023, according to the agency. Investigators are still reviewing her work dating back to 1994.

"Public trust in our institutions is critical to the fulfillment of our mission," agency director Chris Schaefer said in a statement Friday. "Our actions in rectifying this unprecedented breach of trust will be thorough and transparent."

Third-party investigative resources have been brought in to "protect the integrity of the inquiry," the bureau said. A separate criminal investigation into Woods is also ongoing.

Colorado Bureau of Investigation conducting audit of all DNA analysts

The internal investigation into Woods began last September after law enforcement became aware that her work "may have deviated from standard operating procedures," the agency said.

Woods, who had worked for the bureau's crime lab for 29 years, was placed on administrative leave in early October and retired Nov. 6, according to the bureau. During that time, the agency said, Woods did not do any additional laboratory work.

The bureau said investigators found Woods deleted and altered data to conceal her tampering with controls, deleted data that showed she failed to troubleshoot issues within the testing process, and did not provide thorough documentation of certain tests done in case records.

The agency also is auditing all DNA analysts to "ensure the accuracy and completeness of its entire catalog of records," it said. In the course of the audit and investigation, the agency said, it found indications that a DNA analyst who had been employed by the Weld County Sheriff’s Office at the Northern Colorado Regional Forensic Laboratory in Greeley may have also manipulated DNA testing data.

The analyst had been working for the sheriff's office for just over 10 years and was fired on Feb. 28, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. "The sheriff’s office intends to pursue criminal charges against Wuensch for the alleged anomalies in her casework, however those charges have yet to be determined as the criminal investigation is still ongoing," the release said.

In January, the Colorado Department of Public Safety requested $7.5 million from the Legislature to pay for an independent lab to retest up to 3,000 DNA samples and for district attorneys to review and potentially prosecute cases affected by lab errors.

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CBI accuses former scientist of cutting corners

Investigators said Woods should have done additional testing to ensure the reliability of her results, as is required under its lab policies. But she instead "deviated from standard testing protocols and cut corners," according to the bureau.

The agency added that the data manipulation appeared to be intentional conduct on the part of Woods.

Though the internal investigation found Woods deviated from standard protocols, she "never created or reported any false inculpatory DNA matches or exclusions, nor has she testified falsely in any hearing or trial resulting in a false conviction or unjust imprisonment," her attorney, Ryan Brackley, said in a statement to USA TODAY on Sunday.

"To the extent that the findings of the internal investigation calls into questions the rest of her work over 29 years with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Ms. Woods will continue to cooperate with law enforcement to preserve the integrity of her work that resulted in true and just criminal justice findings – whether arrests, convictions or exonerations," Brackley said.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former Colorado forensic scientist manipulated DNA results: Probe