Yvonne Woods: Colorado probes forensic analyst for 'anomalies' in work that sent 100s to jail

DENVER, COLORADO: Colorado is in the midst of a forensic scandal as the state launches a criminal investigation into renowned forensic analyst Yvonne 'Missy' Woods.

The 60-year-old, once considered the state's "gold standard," is accused of performing shoddy DNA testing and altering crucial data over her three-decade career, potentially impacting hundreds of cases.

Prosecutors assess potential wrongful convictions and retrials

In a shocking revelation, "anomalies" were discovered in Woods' DNA testing work during a November internal review by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The skilled criminal scientist's abrupt resignation has left police, prosecutors, and the justice system in disarray as they grapple with the aftermath of this forensic controversy.

Woods, who has sent hundreds to jail with her work and testimonies, is cooperating with the investigation, according to her attorney Ryan Brackley.

He stated, "She continues to stand by the reliability and integrity of her work on matters that were filed in court, and particularly in cases in which she testified in court under oath," per The Wall Street Journal.

DNA testing scandal poses a $7.5 million challenge for the state

Prosecutors now face the challenging task of determining if there were any wrongful convictions and whether retrials are necessary due to flawed DNA testing.

While investigators reported no inaccurate DNA evidence to date, approximately 3,000 DNA samples handled by Woods will undergo review and retesting, incurring a substantial $7.5 million cost for the state.

Public defenders anticipate widespread legal challenges from those charged or convicted based on Woods' analysis, with estimates suggesting thousands of cases may be affected. Boulder County's District Attorney, Michael Dougherty, identified 56 closed cases and 13 open cases involving the forensic analyst as a witness.

"The impact to the confidence and integrity of the justice system—and the work that is going to be required on these cases—is really significant," he said. "We will undoubtedly see defendants who've been convicted rightfully and justly trying to use this issue to their advantage."

Yvonne 'Missy' Woods notable cases under scrutiny

Among Woods' notable cases is the prosecution of Alex Ewing, the 'Hammer Killer,' linked to two cold cases in Denver. She played a crucial role in Ewing's 2021 trial, providing DNA evidence that led to his conviction and four life sentences.

However, the scandal surrounding Woods has prompted concerns about the integrity of her forensic work, potentially impacting other convictions. A retrial is pending for Garrett Coughlin, whose 2019 conviction relied on her' testimony regarding DNA evidence on a gun found at the scene.

Further Woods played a role in several high-profile cases, such as the sexual assault trial of Kobe Bryant. Her involvement extended to cases like Robert Harlan, who received a life sentence without parole for the murder of Rhonda Maloney, and Aaron Thompson, sentenced to 114 years for the death of his daughter Aarone, reported News Nation.

Having served in CBI's Forensic Services division for 29 years, Woods departed from her position in November. Presently, she is under scrutiny as part of both an internal affairs investigation and a criminal investigation due to anomalies detected in her work.