After being dubbed the 'Golden Child,' it has been discovered that a forensic scientist has been negligent in her work, bringing into question 500 criminal cases.
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Despite being considered one the best in her business it turns out that Yvonne 'Missy' Woods had been fornesic altering data. During her 29-year-long career, she has been accused of altering over 500 criminal cases. This has resulted in her facing a total of 102 criminal charges for tampering with forensic evidence.
Despite being retired now, an intern still found missing information in a sexual assault case led by Yvonne 'Missy' Woods 2018. This brought to light the amount of missing information there was from Woods's forensic career. As investigations went on it was found that she had altered data to conceal tampering or contamination, and deleted information that showed she failed to troubleshoot issues within the testing process.
Since then, the forensic scientist has had all of her work examined. It turns out she had been deleting a lot of information from previous cases. Specific forensic data values have been found to be deleted in at least 35 sexual assault cases and at least seven homicides.
Forensic Tampering Will Cost Millions To Retest For Each Case
Now, because of the forensic scientists' forensic tampering, the cases will have to be reexamined. A total of $7.5 million will be required to retest DNA samples. This will be performed by an independent lab. A deeper investigation into the state's forensic program is also required. It is clear that a serious breakdown allowed this to happen for 29 years.
There have been repercussions for Woods's failed forensic evidence too. One case was allowed to get away with murder because of a lack of evidence. Without the forensic evidence that Woods should have provided, there was only circumstantial evidence. This allowed the defendant to get away with lesser charges.
Woods is being held in the Jefferson County Jail on a $50,000 cash bond. As the investigation digs deeper into her failed forensic work, the case will come to court. Many people may have gotten away with crime simply due to her negligence in her job as a forensic scientist.
