If the brood box IS stuffed full and there is absolutely no room and the queen is still laying then the conventional way to sort this problem is to put a super of drawn comb (ideally) or foundation if no drawn comb is available BELOW the brood box. It's called a Nadir. No need to disturb the brood chamber - indeed, no real need to remove the Crown board even ... it's a two man job - one lifts the Brood box off the floor the other slides the super underneath, it's all back together in seconds and the bees will then make use of the extra space if they need it for stores and it will reduce any chances of them swarming .... But Bees will do what they want so there's no guarantees.
The super can be left there until spring - won't harm the colony as heat rises and they will take up residence at the warmest part of the hive.
If you are now going to ask how do you know how much space is in the hive without inspecting ... weigh it or heft it ... and keep a note of the weights so next year you will know.
PS: I think you were 'slaughtered' not for inspecting your colonies (which implies a reason) but for tinkering with them ....
