- Alexander Rodriguez
What Happens During a Crime Scene Cleanup?
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Dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event is never easy. When a crime occurs, the scene often needs more than just an investigation—it requires professional cleaning to restore the area to a safe, livable condition. Crime scene cleanup isn’t just about scrubbing away visible stains—it’s a highly specialized process that involves biohazard removal, decontamination, and ensuring public safety.
At ERX (Emergency Restoration Xperts), we understand that these situations are emotional, stressful, and overwhelming. Whether the cleanup is needed after a violent crime, suicide, unattended death, or other biohazard exposure, our trained professionals handle each job with discretion, professionalism, and compassion.
So, what actually happens during a crime scene cleanup? Here’s everything you need to know.
Step 1: Securing & Assessing the Scene
Before any cleaning can begin, the crime scene must be cleared by law enforcement. Once the investigation is complete and authorities allow entry, our cleanup team assesses the site to determine:
✔ The extent of contamination – Blood, bodily fluids, or other biohazards.
✔ Surfaces affected – Flooring, walls, furniture, and personal belongings.
✔ Potential structural damage – If blood or bodily fluids have seeped into porous materials.
✔ Odor removal needs – Some crime scenes have lingering strong odors.
🚨 Why is this important? Biohazards like blood and bodily fluids can seep into materials quickly, creating serious health risks if not properly removed.
Step 2: Biohazard Containment & Personal Protection
Crime scenes often contain dangerous biohazards, including:
✔ Bloodborne pathogens (HIV, Hepatitis B & C)
✔ Bodily fluids
✔ Tissues
✔ Drug residue (in cases of overdose or drug-related crimes)
To protect our team and prevent cross-contamination, our specialists wear:
🦺 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Gloves, respirators, goggles, and full-body suits.
🚧 Biohazard barriers – Plastic sheeting and tape to contain contaminated areas.
🚨 Important: Blood and bodily fluids can spread disease and bacteria, making professional biohazard cleanup critical for health and safety.
Step 3: Removing Biohazardous Materials
The next step is safely removing all biohazardous waste, following strict OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulations.
What Gets Removed?
✔ Blood & bodily fluids – Using medical-grade absorbents.
✔ Contaminated furniture, carpets, and personal items – Some materials cannot be salvaged.
✔ Sharps or dangerous objects – Needles, broken glass, or other hazards.
✔ Tear gas or fingerprint dust residue – If law enforcement used chemicals during investigation.
🚨 Biohazard materials must be disposed of in special medical waste containers and transported to certified disposal facilities—this isn’t regular trash!
Step 4: Deep Cleaning & Disinfection
Once all contaminated materials are removed, we thoroughly clean, sanitize, and deodorize the affected area.
✔ Hospital-grade disinfectants – To kill bacteria, viruses, and pathogens.
✔ Enzyme-based cleaners – Break down blood and bodily fluids at the molecular level.
✔ UV light and ATP testing – To ensure surfaces are fully sanitized.
🚨 Important: Crime scene cleaners don’t just mask odors—we eliminate them completely using professional-grade deodorizers and air scrubbers.
Step 5: Restoring & Rebuilding the Scene
Some crime scenes require structural repairs, especially if biohazards seep into walls, flooring, or drywall. Our restoration experts:
✔ Replace damaged drywall, carpets, and flooring.
✔ Repaint affected areas to restore the space.
✔ Repair or replace furniture and fixtures that couldn’t be salvaged.
The goal is to return the home or business to its pre-incident condition, so it feels safe, livable, and as normal as possible.
Why Professional Crime Scene Cleanup is Necessary
Crime scenes are emotionally traumatic and pose serious health risks. Many people believe they can clean it up themselves, but without proper training, the risks are high.
1️⃣ Biohazards Are Extremely Dangerous
✔ Bloodborne pathogens can cause life-threatening infections.
✔ Bodily fluids can spread diseases through contact or inhalation.
✔ Improper cleanup leaves lingering bacteria and viruses behind.
2️⃣ DIY Cleaning Can Make It Worse
✔ Household cleaners aren’t strong enough to kill biohazards.
✔ Scrubbing too hard spreads contaminants to other surfaces.
✔ Improper disposal of biohazards violates health and safety laws.
3️⃣ Emotional & Psychological Trauma
For families who have lost a loved one, cleaning up the scene can be incredibly painful. Hiring professionals allows families to grieve without reliving the trauma.
🚨 Need professional crime scene cleanup? Call ERX at (866)-217-7903 for discreet, compassionate, and expert biohazard cleanup.
Common Types of Crime Scene Cleanups We Handle
✔ Homicide & Suicide Cleanup – Blood and bodily fluids require specialized cleaning.
✔ Unattended Death Cleanup – Decomposition can cause severe biohazard risks.
✔ Assault & Trauma Cleanup – Any crime scene involving injuries.
✔ Tear Gas & Fingerprint Dust Cleanup – Residues left behind by law enforcement.
✔ Drug Lab & Fentanyl Cleanup – Dangerous chemical residue requires special handling.
✔ Hoarding & Biohazard Cleanup – When crime scenes involve hoarding conditions.
No matter the situation, ERX handles each job with professionalism, care, and discretion.
FAQs About Crime Scene Cleanup
Q: How soon should crime scene cleanup start?
A: Immediately after law enforcement releases the scene. The faster cleanup begins, the lower the risk of contamination and permanent damage.
Q: Will my insurance cover crime scene cleanup?
A: In many cases, yes! Homeowners and business insurance policies often cover biohazard cleanup costs. ERX can help navigate the claims process.
Q: Can I clean up a crime scene myself?
A: It’s not recommended. Crime scenes often contain dangerous pathogens and biohazards. Improper cleaning can expose you to serious health risks and cause long-term contamination.
Q: How long does crime scene cleanup take?
A: It depends on the severity of the situation. Most cleanups take between a few hours to a few days, depending on the level of contamination.
Q: Do crime scene cleaners work with law enforcement?
A: We come in after law enforcement completes their investigation. We work independently to restore the scene but follow all local and federal regulations.
Final Thoughts: Let ERX Handle the Toughest Job for You
Crime scene cleanup isn’t just another cleaning job—it’s a critical, specialized service that ensures safety, sanitation, and peace of mind for those affected by tragedy. At ERX (Emergency Restoration Xperts), we handle every job with compassion, professionalism, and discretion.
📞 Need immediate crime scene cleanup? Call ERX at (866)-217-7903 for 24/7 emergency response.
