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   From: remailer@domain.invalid   
      
   A Colorado Bureau of Investigation DNA analyst intentionally   
   manipulated data in the testing process for at least 15 years,   
   according to an internal affairs investigation.   
      
   Yvonne “Missy” Woods, a now-former DNA scientist who worked at   
   the CBI crime lab for 29 years, has been under investigation   
   since September 2023, according to the bureau, known as CBI.   
      
   The investigation concluded that Woods manipulated data in the   
   DNA testing process and in some cases posted incomplete test   
   results.   
      
   “At this time, 652 cases have been identified as affected by   
   Woods’ data manipulation between 2008 and 2023,” the CBI said in   
   a release. “A review of Woods’ work from 1994 to 2008 is also   
   underway.”   
      
   The investigation, dated Feb. 26, found Woods "Omitted material   
   facts in official criminal justice records," "Tampered with DNA   
   testing results by omitting some of those results," and violated   
   the bureau's code of conduct and lab policies "ranging from data   
   retention to quality control measures."   
      
   According to the investigation, a DNA forensics team found Woods   
   manipulated her work by deleting and changing data that hid the   
   fact that she interfered with controls and failed to troubleshoot   
   problems that arose during the testing process. It also found she   
   did not provide adequate documentation in case records related to   
   tests she performed.   
      
   "These manipulations appear to have been the result of   
   intentional conduct on the part of Woods," the CBI said.   
      
   The CBI said the findings “puts all of her work in question."   
      
   Ryan Brackley, an attorney representing Woods, said she "will   
   continue to cooperate with law enforcement to preserve the   
   integrity of her work that resulted in true and just criminal   
   justice findings — whether arrests, convictions or exonerations."   
      
   The bureau launched the investigation in September after becoming   
   aware that a DNA sample testing performed by Woods "may have   
   deviated from standard operating procedures."   
      
   Woods was placed on administrative leave on Oct. 3, and later   
   retired from her post on Nov. 6. The CBI said she did not perform   
   any additional lab work during that time.   
      
   Since Oct. 3, the CBI, in collaboration with members of the   
   Kansas Bureau of Investigation, looked into all of Woods' work   
   over the course of her 29-year career with the bureau.   
      
   Ultimately, the review did not find that Wood "falsified DNA   
   matches or otherwise fabricated DNA profiles."   
      
   "She instead deviated from standard testing protocols and cut   
   corners, calling into question the reliability of the testing she   
   conducted," CBI said, adding that Woods "should have conducted   
   additional testing to ensure the reliability of her results in   
   these affected cases."   
      
   Her attorney said the investigation's findings "support Ms. Woods   
   earlier statements she’s never created or reported any false   
   inculpatory DNA matches or exclusions, nor has she testified   
   falsely in any hearing or trial resulting in a false conviction   
   or unjust imprisonment."   
      
   A separate criminal investigation into Woods launched late last   
   year is still underway, according to the CBI.   
      
   The CBI said it is working to implement changes that will   
   "enhance the integrity of its testing processes and their   
   results" and to prevent this kind of issue from arising in the   
   future.   
      
   "Public trust in our institutions is critical to the fulfillment   
   of our mission," CBI Director Chris Schaefer said. "Our actions   
   in rectifying this unprecedented breach of trust will be thorough   
   and transparent."   
      
   The bureau said it is also working through an audit of all of its   
   DNA analysts "to ensure the accuracy and completeness of its   
   entire catalog of records."   
      
   Over the course of the audit, the CBI found that an additional   
   analyst who works for the Weld County Sheriff’s Office at the   
   Northern Colorado Regional Forensic Laboratory may have also   
   manipulated DNA testing data, but noted that this case is   
   separate from Woods'.   
      
   That analyst, Chiara Wuensch, was fired by the Weld County   
   Sheriff’s Office last month after an internal investigation that   
   centered on “anomalies” in her work. The investigation, which   
   began Jan. 31, found she “violated the Weld County Code for   
   expectations of proper conduct, and the sheriff’s office   
   standards of conduct policy for not cooperating with the agency’s   
   internal investigation,” according to the sheriff’s office.   
      
   Wuensch did not immediately respond to a request for comment on   
   her termination or the circumstances surrounding it.   
      
   The sheriff's office said it intends to pursue criminal charges   
   against Weunsch.   
      
   https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/investigation-finds-   
   colorado-dna-analyst-intentionally-manipulated-dat-rcna142541   
      
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