Yvonne Woods worked at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, analyzing DNA samples in sexual assault cases. Her signature on a report could open or close the door to justice for a victim.
According to prosecutors, in 32 cases involving women and children, Woods deleted the values showing the presence of male DNA and then certified that nothing had been found. Each false report canceled future comparisons, cross-checking, and any possibility of identifying an assailant.
The fraud came to light in 2023, when a laboratory intern noticed that data was missing from a case she had processed. Woods pleaded guilty to four felonies, including cybercrime and perjury, and must now serve 10 years in prison for decisions that left dozens of victims without answers.
