Mass murder in a university setting: analysis of the medical examiner's response

Seung-Hui Cho, a student at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), shot and killed 33 students and faculty, including himself, on the morning of April 16, 2007.

A retrospective review of the medical examiner system response to this multiple fatality event was undertaken to identify which procedures were and were not effective. Case records, spreadsheets, telephone call logs, notes, and after-action interviews of staff were reviewed and analyzed. Recommendations were developed to improve the management of the multiple components of a high-profile multiple fatality event.

One autopsy took place on Monday, April 16, 12 on Tuesday, April 17, and 20 on Wednesday, April 18. Pathologists archived the biopsies of major organs in formalin. Slides were made of entrance wounds that exhibited residues. Blood for alcohols was collected from victims. Blood for alcohols, acid, base, and neutral drugs was collected from Cho for analysis.

Standard forensic pathology procedures worked and timely postmortem examinations were completed. The victim identification component of the family assistance center must be established and staffed at the time of the initial response. Public information officers need training in morgue and medicolegal death management and in ways to effectively communicate with different audiences about multiple fatality management procedures.