DENVER — Yvonne “Missy” Woods, a former forensic laboratory scientist with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), is facing 102 criminal charges, including cybercrime, perjury, and forgery, according to the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Woods, who worked for CBI from 1994 until November 2023, is accused of 58 instances of criminal misconduct between 2008 and 2023. She worked at two laboratories in Jefferson County during her nearly 30-year career. Despite early concerns about her work, Woods was regarded as a top performer within the agency until issues with her testing procedures began to surface.
The accusations against Woods include manipulating data and failing to follow proper forensic testing protocols. This misconduct raises questions about the reliability of her work in criminal cases. In fact, several individuals who were convicted based on her testing results have come forward, stating that they believe their trials were materially impacted by Woods’ actions.
Charges Against Yvonne Woods:
Cybercrime
Perjury in the first degree
Attempt to influence a public servant (48 counts)
Forgery (52 counts)
An arrest warrant was issued for Woods by the district attorney’s office, and she turned herself in on Wednesday. She is currently held on a $50,000 cash-only bond. Legal experts are concerned about the trustworthiness of forensic testing, given the serious nature of the charges against her.
Chris Decker, a FOX31 Legal Analyst, expressed the severity of the situation: “This strikes a blow to the confidence that all parties and the public have in scientific testing. The data is only as accurate as the human beings that are handling it and testifying about it.”
The investigation into Woods’ actions began after a 2023 intern discovered irregularities in her work involving historical sexual assault cases. The intern found that Woods had deviated from standard testing procedures, which led to further investigation and the discovery of additional discrepancies.
In 2024, Woods’ absence from a trial involving a triple homicide case in Boulder was also notable. Prosecutors had to offer a plea deal partly because they could not rely on her testimony, which resulted in a defendant receiving a reduced sentence.
As Woods faces these charges, the implications of her actions are still unfolding, with legal experts and public trust in forensic testing hanging in the balance. The case is ongoing, and further developments are expected.