ODYSSEY INVESTIGATIONS · INVESTIGATION 002
THE YVONNE “MISSY” WOODS INVESTIGATION
Colorado’s DNA scandal — following the record, the institutional response, and the people and cases affected.
FOLLOW THE RECORD AS IT DEVELOPS.
Former Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic scientist Yvonne “Missy” Woods pleaded guilty to four felony charges following a criminal investigation into misconduct involving her forensic DNA work.
But the criminal prosecution of Woods is only one part of the story.
ODYSSEY Investigations is following the underlying court record, earlier warning signs, Colorado’s institutional response, Woods-related criminal cases, and the experiences of people whose lives may have been affected by forensic evidence they were supposed to be able to trust.
STATUS: ACTIVE · PRIMARY CASE: 25CR136 · JEFFERSON COUNTY · SENTENCED SEPT. 8, 2026 — 10 YEARS DOC
LATEST DEVELOPMENT
September 11, 2026 — Denver Police Reopen 13 Sexual-Assault Cases
Denver police have reopened 13 previously closed sexual-assault cases after the Denver Crime Lab retested DNA evidence once analyzed by former CBI forensic scientist Yvonne “Missy” Woods. The retesting produced 11 suspect profiles and six CODIS hits that generated new investigative leads. No arrests have been announced.
CBI CORRECTIVE ACTION RECORDS
These Colorado Bureau of Investigation records document the agency’s internal review of Yvonne “Missy” Woods’ forensic work, corrective actions implemented after the misconduct was discovered, and changes to laboratory quality-control procedures.
Documents available:
CBI Corrective Action Report — May 2024
CBI Corrective Action Report — June 27, 2024
CBI Corrective Action Report — February 2025
FROM THE COURTROOM
Judge’s Sentencing Order — September 8, 2026
Hear the court explain why Woods received a 10-year prison sentence, including the judge’s findings on public trust, institutional failures, mitigation and accountability.