Brickbat: Science Doesn't Lie, but Scientists Do

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) says it has found that former CBI forensic scientist Yvonne "Missy" Woods manipulated data in the DNA testing process or posted incomplete test results in hundreds of cases. The CBI says it has found 652 cases affected by Woods' work between 2008 and 2023, when she was placed on administrative leave and then retired. It is currently reviewing her cases from 1994 to 2008. The CBI says it has not found any evidence that Woods falsified data, but it says she cut corners and did not follow standard protocols, leaving the reliability of her work in question, and deleted or altered data to conceal her actions.

Comments

[This Is The Zodiac Speaking]

First.

Is she hot?

[Think It Through]

her cases from 1994

Highly unlikely.

[Rob Misek]

It’s not science, it’s the corruption of people and those who coerce them to become corrupt.

If you have a problem with ants, you kill the source to stop the cycle.

The source of all corruption is lying. Criminalize lying.

[mad.casual]

Highly unlikely.

First, slight disagree.

Second, I think you might be missing some of the context about an attractive adult female that goes by the name "Missy".

[Mickey Rat]

I suppose it is good to that Reason has gone beyond defending "scientism". It is notable that the subject has to with a pet issue like criminal defense. Hope the skepticism about the motivations of scientists in why they say what they do shows up for other fields of study. I do remember when such here was derided as anti-science and anti-intellectualism.

[Á àß äẞç ãþÇđ âÞ¢Đæ ǎB€Ðëf ảhf]

The statistics don't add up.

The CBI says it has found 652 cases affected by Woods' work between 2008 and 2023

652 / 16 isn't even one a week. I can't imagine her lab can only process one test per week. Makes me wonder how much time she saved per week, and how many tests she really cheated on that the review didn't catch.

[See.More]

That’s just the number they identified.

The statistics don’t add up.

The CBI says it has found 652 cases affected by Woods’ work between 2008 and 2023

652 / 16 isn’t even one a week. I can’t imagine her lab can only process one test per week. . .

She might have handled several thousand cases/tests in that period…

[Inigo Montoya]

There is no evidence she falsified data, but she did alter and delete data to cover her actions.

So how can you alter and delete data without falsifying it?

[Vernon Depner]

If scientists couldn't do that, what would happen to the climate crisis?

[SRG2]

Now you're in conspiracy whack-job territory - just as if you argued that all forensic scientists were clubbing together to falsify DNA evidence, proven by this one case (and indeed there are always a few - but not all.)

[Vernon Depner]

Go pour yourself some Cap'n Crunch and watch some cartoons.

[Nazi-Chipping Warlock]

I'm guessing Captain Planet is the favored choice there.

[Idaho-Bob]

How dare you question the validity and integrity of the high priests and priestesses of Climate Change™ ?!?

Nvm, I see one of the zealots has already appeared.

[jimc5499]

Isn't altering and deleting data another term for "massaging the data", because the guys who came up with the "Holy Hockey Stick Graph" admitted that they massaged the "data".

[gaoxiaen]

She made them MORE TRUE!

[Fist of Etiquette]

The worst part is that this might foment distrust in our cherished institutions.

[Torguud]

Scientists do science. The job she was doing is a tech job.

[Idaho-Bob]

Scientists do what the funding demands.

[Public Entelectual]

Like the disinterested oil company chief scientist who wrote "Unsettled", drawing much applause from disinterested reviewers at an Oxbow Carbon LLC funded foundation near you.

[Á àß äẞç ãþÇđ âÞ¢Đæ ǎB€Ðëf ảhf]

She probably had to have a BS or MS to get the job.