A stunning case of alleged misconduct has rocked Colorado’s legal system, with former Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) lab analyst Yvonne Woods facing 102 criminal charges tied to mishandling and altering evidence over a span of 15 years.

The charges include cybercrime, first-degree perjury, forgery, and attempts to influence a public servant. The scandal, described as unprecedented in scope, could impact thousands of criminal cases statewide, as reported by The New York Post.

Colorado crime lab analyst faces over 100 charges for mishandling and altering reports: DA https://t.co/2nYmLALDit pic.twitter.com/aJyBY4uesA

— New York Post (@nypost) January 24, 2025

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The unraveling of Woods’ alleged misconduct began in September 2023, thanks to a vigilant CBI intern reviewing quantification data tied to historical sexual assault cases.

The intern uncovered missing data within vestibular swabs, prompting an internal investigation. What followed was a bombshell discovery: evidence of altered or deleted DNA data, contamination concealment, and falsified quality control measures dating back to 2008.

According to the district attorney’s office, Woods is accused of tampering with evidence in over 30 sexual assault cases.

She manipulated quantification values, reran DNA batches multiple times without proper documentation, and erased critical records. She also submitted reports falsely stating, “No Male DNA found,” despite potential traces being present.

In one instance, when a colleague confronted her about inconsistencies, Woods allegedly responded with a “befuddled” expression. Her tenure at the CBI, which began in 1994, ended abruptly in 2023 when she resigned amidst growing scrutiny rather than face termination.

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation was brought in to ensure an impartial review of the matter. Their findings have already caused significant fallout, affecting over 1,000 cases and costing the state an estimated $11 million.

The total damage is expected to climb as legal challenges stemming from Woods’ actions ripple through Colorado’s justice system.

District Attorney Alexis King emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “Based on the available facts and after careful legal analysis, we have filed charges and will now proceed with a criminal prosecution. My office remains committed to reviewing all affected cases within our jurisdiction on behalf of the defendants and victims involved.”

Yvonne “Missy” Woods was considered “a prosecutorial rockstar”
She was considered a qualified expert and testified more than 500 times in criminal cases.
She admitted to to deleting DNA data in her testing process because she wanted to shortcut additional steps that may be… pic.twitter.com/YzLDiKdyGM

— RebelwithoutaReason (@RebelwoaReason) January 23, 2025

Woods, who posted a $50,000 bond following her arrest, will now face the full weight of the justice system. Her alleged actions, described by prosecutors as a betrayal of public trust, have left a trail of uncertainty for law enforcement agencies and victims across Colorado.

The case has sparked outrage among conservatives who see it as another example of unchecked bureaucratic incompetence. With 20 law enforcement agencies impacted, the fallout serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed when accountability in government agencies is absent.

For those affected by Woods’ alleged malfeasance, justice delayed cannot become justice denied.

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