DNA Analyst Gets 10 Years After Hundreds of Cases Were Put in Question

By Taylor Bennett. Sep 14, 2026

A former Colorado forensic analyst was sentenced to 10 years in prison after authorities said she manipulated DNA data in work that touched hundreds of criminal cases.

Yvonne “Missy” Woods, 66, spent nearly three decades with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation before irregularities in her work triggered a sweeping review. She pleaded guilty in June to cybercrime, first-degree perjury, attempting to influence a public servant and forgery.

An Intern Found Missing Data

The misconduct came to light in 2023 after an intern noticed missing information in a case Woods had handled, according to reporting from the Associated Press and CBS Colorado. Investigators later concluded that Woods had altered or omitted DNA data in cases involving homicide, sexual assault, robbery and other crimes.

Authorities said some concerns about Woods had been raised years earlier. The later investigation forced prosecutors and defense attorneys to revisit cases that had relied on her laboratory work.

The Consequences Reached Old Convictions

At least one murder conviction was overturned after questions were raised about Woods’ handling of evidence. Other cases have been reviewed, reduced or reconsidered because prosecutors could no longer rely on the same forensic work with confidence.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has said Woods did not fabricate new DNA matches, but her actions damaged confidence in whether testing was complete and accurately reported.

A Decade in Prison

Jefferson County District Judge Andrew Poland imposed the 10-year sentence on the cybercrime count, with shorter sentences on the other three counts to run at the same time. The plea agreement required a prison sentence of eight to 16 years.

Woods apologized in court and acknowledged that her conduct had created doubt around evidence people had expected to trust. A restitution hearing is scheduled for November.

The sentence closes the criminal case against Woods, but not the work created by it. Colorado officials are still dealing with the much larger question left behind: which cases can still be trusted after a scientist responsible for DNA evidence broke that trust.

References: Former CBI Lab Analyst Missy Woods Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison | Former Colorado crime analyst gets 10-year prison sentence for manipulating DNA data | Former Colorado DNA analyst guilty of manipulating data sentenced to prison on 4 counts