How many cases will be affected by ‘certain anomalies’ in work of DNA analyst? 57 lawyers get notices
Criminal Justice
How many cases will be affected by ‘certain anomalies’ in work of DNA analyst? 57 lawyers get notices
April 29, 2024, 9:24 am CDT
A district attorney in Larimer County, Colorado, has notified 57 defense attorneys that their cases may be affected by credibility problems with a retired DNA analyst who worked with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. (Image from Shutterstock)
A district attorney in Larimer County, Colorado, has notified 57 defense attorneys that their cases may be affected by credibility problems with a retired DNA analyst who worked with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
The letter from Larimer County District Attorney Gordon P. McLaughlin said his office has been advised by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation that “certain anomalies” were found in the analyst’s work product in their cases after an internal review, KUSA reports.
The analyst, Yvonne “Missy” Woods, retired in November 2023 on the day that the CBI investigation was announced, Westword reports. The results of the investigation were released last month.
The CBI said Woods “deviated from standard testing protocols and cut corners, calling into question the reliability of the testing she conducted” throughout her career, according to Westword. She allegedly deleted data that concealed tampering with controls and failure to troubleshoot issues and allegedly failed to provide thorough documentation of her tests.
The findings questioned Woods’ work in at least 652 criminal cases.
The investigation covered cases that Woods handled between 2008 and 2023. The CBI is now investigating Woods’ work as far back as 1994.
There was no finding that Woods falsified DNA matches or profiles, however, the Colorado Sun and USA Today reported last month.
Woods “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,”
said her lawyer, Ryan Brackley, in a statement published by USA Today.
“To the extent that the findings of the internal investigation calls into questions the rest of her work over 29 years with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Ms. Woods 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,” Brackley said in the statement.
Some district attorneys told Westword that they aren’t getting enough information from the CBI.
“It’s been some five months since this first came out, and we’re still getting information in dribs and drabs,” said Colorado 18th Judicial District Attorney John Kellner.
