Ex-forensic crim£ analyst sent£nced to 10 years in pris0n for manipulating DNA data

Former Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic analyst Yvonne “Missy” Woods has been sent£nced to 10 years in pris0n after admitting to manipulating DNA data that affected hundreds of criminal cases.

Woods pleaded guilty in June to p£rjury, forg£ry, cyb£rcrim£ and attempting to influence a public servant. Dozens of other charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal.

Authorities said Woods altered data to conceal problems with DNA testing, d£leted information showing she had failed to troubleshoot testing issues and did not properly document work in case records.

Her misconduct affected cases involving h0m!cide, s£xü@l ass@ult and robb£ry, forcing prosecutors to review hundreds of cases. At least one murd£r conviction was overturned after her work was challenged. 

One affected case involved Michael Clark, who was released from pris0n in 2025 after his lawyers argued that DNA evidence used against him had been mishandled. Prosecutors said they intend to retry him.

Woods, who resigned in 2023 after nearly three decades with the bureau, apologised during her s£ntencing, saying she had failed in her responsibility to properly handle evidence that could have serious consequences for defendants, victims and families.

Officials said the scandal could cost the state more than $11 million as affected cases and DNA samples are reviewed.