Mass Murder in a University Setting: Analysis of the Medical Examiner’s Response
Source: Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness

Background: 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.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusions: 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.

See also: Immediate Behavioral Health Response to the Virginia Tech Shootings
See also: Building Resistance, Resilience, and Recovery in the Wake of School and Workplace Violence
See also: Protecting the Public’s Health Following the Virginia Tech Tragedy: Issues of Law and Policy
See also: Active Shooters on College Campuses: Conflicting Advice, Roles of the Individual and First Responder, and the Need to Maintain Perspective

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 30th, 2007 at 12:42 pm and is filed under Crime, Health and healthcare, Legal and law enforcement. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.