- 24/7 Water Damage Emergency
- Licensed and Insured
- FREE Estimates
- Direct Insurance Billing
- Insurance Claims
Generic terms for crime scene cleanup include trauma cleanup, crime and trauma scene decontamination (‘CTS Decon’), bio-hazard remediation, biohazard removal, and blood cleanup. If no cleanup is done these ‘scenes’ can have a traumatic effect on you. Hence if such unfortunate incidents do occur, then Los Angeles crime scene cleanup should take top priority.
The state of California refers to individuals in this profession as Valid Trauma Scene Waste Management Professionals/Practitioners.
Crime scene cleanup began primarily as a small local or regional professional activity, but maturity and consolidation have created some larger entities in the industry; only a few companies exist nationally, although some national restoration companies have added crime scene cleaning and biohazard removal to their services.
Crime scene cleanup includes blood spills after an assault, homicide, or suicide, tear gas residue, and vandalism removal/cleanup. There are many different sub-segments, regarding the presence of non-blood-borne organic substances, toxic irritants (e.g., tear gas), or disease vectors.
However, it is the legality of charging a fee to mitigate potentially harmful biohazard situations that sets a trauma or crime professional apart from any general restoration or cleaning service.
Human blood can transmit deadly diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. When cleaning up blood, it is important to treat each blood spill as if the substance were infected. By using these precautions, an additional layer of security is provided.
While the field of crime scene cleanup is not specifically regulated as a class, most, if not all, activities performed by biohazard cleanup crews in the United States are regulated or fall under the guidelines of best practices from governing and advisory bodies such as OSHA, NIOSH, DOT and EPA.
In the US, OSHA requires that exposure to blood-borne pathogens be limited as much as possible due to the assumption that blood and biological materials are infectious. Most of the actions taken to limit exposure come under cross-contamination protocols, which stipulate that certain steps be taken to prevent further spread of contamination in otherwise clean areas.
‘CTS Decon’ companies usually have an exposure control plan in place before beginning work on any trauma scene. Under employee safety and cross-contamination protocols, OSHA’s blood-borne pathogen regulations pertain to bioremediation.
Crime scene cleanup work begins when the concerned official government agency releases the “scene” to the owner or other responsible parties. Only when the investigation is completely over at the contaminated site, cleanup companies can begin their task.
Standard operating procedures for the field of crime scene cleanup often include military-style methods for the decontamination of internal and external environments. Universal precautions recognized throughout the world are the general precautionary rule for this field of professional cleaning.
For example, personnel involved in cleanup are expected to wear shoe covers, liquid-impermeable coveralls, and protective eyewear. The use of protective gloves and the use of specifically classified cleaning agents are also mandatory policies to ensure that infectious agents such as hepatitis and HIV are eliminated.
There are organizations that insist on avoiding cleaning areas that officers cannot see properly to avoid accidental injuries, such as punctures through needles.
Cleaning methods to remove and disinfect bio-hazards vary from professional to professional. Some organizations are working to create a “Cleanliness Standard” such as the ISSA’s K12 Standard, which includes the use of quantifiable test methods such as ATP testing.
One of the biggest reasons why you should get the services of a professional is because of the risks involved. Here are some of the risks associated with the task of crime scene cleanup
| Risk | Possible Remedies |
| Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens | Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as gloves and masks, and proper disposal of contaminated materials. Training in OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standards. |
| Exposure to Chemicals | Use of PPE, including respirators if necessary, proper handling and disposal of chemicals, and proper ventilation. Training in the proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials. |
| Exposure to Biohazardous Waste | Use of PPE, including gloves, masks, and other protective clothing, and proper disposal of biohazardous waste. Training in the proper handling and disposal of biohazardous waste. |
| Physical Injury | Use of appropriate tools and equipment, such as sharps containers and puncture-resistant containers, and proper lifting techniques. Training in the safe handling of heavy objects and equipment. |
This is not an exhaustive list of risks and remedies. Speak with our consultant for crime scene cleanup for more information on specific risks and how to mitigate them.
Any situation that requires the cleanup of biohazards (body fluids, blood, and tissue) or the removal of hazardous materials in a home or business falls under the category of trauma scene cleanup.
Specific examples include:
We at Water Damage Restoration Pro understand that these situations are often sensitive and emotional. Our local experts are specifically trained to provide professional and respectful services for any type of traumatic event.
There are several important reasons to hire a professional bio-hazard or crime scene cleanup company. These include:
The safest and most respectful way to restore your business or home to its pre-incident condition is to hire a team that specializes in the cleaning and restoration procedures you need.
Few events are as shocking or traumatic as the intrusion of violent crime into our lives.
Many of us cannot handle the shock on our own, even after the fact. We rely on the police to process the crime scene and catch the perpetrators, the legal system to prosecute, and our therapists to help us mentally process the unwanted intrusion into our lives.
Likewise, you should not rely on your own strength alone to handle crime scene cleanup. Our experts are trained to professionally remove any traces of a violent intrusion from your home and restore it to the safe haven you knew it to be.
Water Damage Restoration Pro is here to help you get through this difficult and traumatic experience. Our work begins once the police have finished processing the crime scene. That’s when you can start the cleanup and restoration.
This often means dealing with blood, trace drugs, and other bio-hazardous contaminants that pose a serious health risk to those who are not experienced, or not well-equipped to handle them.
You do not want these contaminants in your home, nor should you try to remove them yourself. Our experts at will immediately respond to your call and we have the specialized training, protective equipment and experience to safely clean and restore crime scenes of all sizes.
When you hire us for biohazard or trauma scene cleanup, you can expect our local team members to arrive in a timely manner and bring all necessary personal protective equipment, cleaning products, and disposal supplies for the task in question.
The staff will put in endless effort throughout the project to clear the area of any dangerous or contaminated materials. Our aim is to restore your house or place of business to the state it was in prior to the terrible event.
The final step in many crime scene or biohazard cleanup situations is disposal when all evidence from the event is removed. This disposal is made in accordance with national, state, and local regulations.
Your space may not require any other services beyond disposal. However, in some cases, restoration work is needed to return the affected area to its pre-event condition. Post-cleaning restoration services may include:
With Water Damage Restoration Pro, there is no need to hire multiple vendors. Our trauma scene cleanup and restoration experts are ready to assist you at work or at home, 24/7.
Our first priority is always safety, as crime or accident scenes can involve bloodborne pathogens, harmful chemicals, and other hazards. Our experts will always treat your property and the people involved with the utmost empathy and respect in the face of difficult circumstances.
We are equipped and experienced to deal with all crime scene debris including:
Rest assured, we will be with you every step of the way to restore your home to its original state. We will do everything in our power to make sure you can return home as quickly as possible. In addition, we can also provide you with assistance in securing housing until your home is restored and fit to live in again.
There is absolutely nothing more traumatic than the sudden and tragic loss of a loved one to suicide.
You may think that the fire department, the paramedics, and the police would clean up the scene before leaving. But they don’t, and you’re left with an overwhelming situation.
This is not the time to further traumatize yourself and your family members by trying to cope and go it alone.
We at Water Damage Restoration Pro know all too well about the mental condition of family members under such trying circumstances and how overwhelmed they feel with what needs to be done.
Let us do it for you. In addition to getting the crime scene cleanup done immediately and safely, we can work with your insurance provider, and help refer you to emergency counsellors and other services needed in this time of grief.
We can help you find temporary housing until we complete the cleanup and you feel like you can return home.
Do not face this difficulty alone. However, we can help you through the process and ease your pain, however slightly, in the days and weeks to come.
It is always advised to go for a professional cleanup, as firstly you wouldn’t be able to handle the trauma of the crime, if it has resulted in the death of a family member. Secondly, the blood, body fluids and human tissues that are leftover contain harmful bacteria and viruses. Therefore it becomes important to completely sanitize the place.
It can be anything from individual families to gated communities, secluded houses, hotels, construction companies, pubs, bars and clubs. These are the clients and their places where a majority of crime happens, and this requires a complete and effective cleaning of the place with disinfectants, after the crime scene has been inspected by the police and detectives.
It always depends upon the severity and the extent of damage, clutter and debris a crime scene has generated. In a majority of cases, it (crime scene cleaning) is easily completed within a day, barring a few exceptions.
Certainly! Our highly experienced crime scene clean-up team is always ready, trained and fully qualified for performing a safe and highly professional crime scene cleanup, without leaving any spot or stain. You can call us anytime for an emergency crime scene cleaning, after the police have left your place, conducting all the necessary investigation.
We only use cleaning agents that are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These agencies regulate the use of cleaning agents and ensure that they are safe for both the contractor and the environment.
Whether you need to move out during a crime scene cleanup depends on the severity of the crime and the extent of the cleanup required. In some cases, it may be necessary to temporarily relocate while the cleanup is taking place, particularly if there is extensive damage to the property or if the cleanup involves significant structural repairs.
If you need to move out during the crime scene cleanup, we will provide you with clear guidance on what you need to do and what to expect during the cleanup process.
The length of time it takes to complete a crime scene cleanup can vary depending on several factors, including the severity of the crime, the size of the affected area, and the amount of damage or contamination present. In general, crime scene cleanup can take anywhere from several hours to several days or even weeks to complete.
A small, contained crime scene with minimal damage may only take a few hours to clean up, while a larger, more complex scene may take several days or weeks to fully remediate. Additionally, the type of crime and the presence of hazardous materials, such as blood, bodily fluids, or other biohazards, can increase the complexity and time required for the cleanup.
We will provide an estimate of the time required to complete the cleanup based on a thorough assessment of the scene. The estimate will include a breakdown of the work to be done and a timeline for completion.