Yvonne “Missy” Woods, a former forensic scientist with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to four felony charges stemming from years of misconduct at the state crime laboratory. Jefferson County District Court Judge Andrew Poland imposed the sentence for cybercrime, with concurrent sentences for first-degree perjury, attempting to influence a public servant and forgery.

Woods, 66, worked for the CBI from 1994 until November 2023. Prosecutors said the criminal conduct covered the period from 2008 through 2023. Her plea agreement consolidated 102 original criminal counts and required her to accept responsibility for the full scope of the conduct.

The investigation began in September 2023 after a CBI intern discovered missing DNA data in a sample Woods had processed in 2018. A broader review uncovered additional alterations and deletions, prompting the CBI to request an independent criminal investigation by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.

Investigators identified 52 laboratory reports containing statements by Woods that were untrue. In another case, investigators found that her statements were technically accurate but appeared designed to discourage a detective from pursuing the results.

In much of the conduct underlying the criminal charges, Woods reported that DNA was not present when testing had detected it. Prosecutors said those reports could cause investigations to stop before evidence received additional testing, comparison or identification.

The cases included particularly serious consequences for sexual-assault investigations. Forty-one cases underlying the charges did not result in criminal charges against a suspect, while 32 involved women and children who had reported sexual assault. Prosecutors said Woods deleted values showing the presence of male DNA before issuing reports stating that no male DNA had been found.

Twelve false reports were associated with cases in which criminal charges were ultimately filed. Three of those cases proceeded to trial, producing one conviction and two acquittals. Woods' perjury conviction stemmed from false testimony she provided in the trial that resulted in a first-degree murder conviction. At least one murder conviction connected to her misconduct has since been overturned, while other cases remain under review.

The investigation did not find evidence that Woods fabricated DNA profiles, produced false DNA identifications or created false positive comparisons. However, officials said her manipulation of underlying laboratory data compromised confidence in forensic evidence used across a large number of criminal investigations. A broader CBI review identified more than 1,000 cases affected by the mishandling of DNA evidence.

The First Judicial District Attorney’s Office said Woods had a basic responsibility to conduct scientific testing accurately, follow laboratory procedures and report results honestly.

“Her conduct undermined trust in our justice system,” prosecutors said in a statement following the sentencing.

The fallout from the case is continuing. Authorities and prosecutors are reviewing affected cases, while related litigation remains ongoing. A restitution hearing for Woods is scheduled for Nov. 12.