Encountering the scene of a tragic accident, it can be an overwhelming and even traumatic experience. While it can be difficult to take action right away, doing so is crucial. The first step to take after finding a crime scene or gruesome accident is to call the authorities, report the incident, and they will arrive right away to investigate.
Once they have collected all of the evidence and the EMTs have conducted emergency services, the scene must be cleaned up professionally. For crime scenes containing a number of biohazards, blood, and bodily fluids, this can be overwhelming for family members and loved ones. While some may still feel up to the task, it’s very important to work with a team of crime scene cleaners.
Here are some consequences of improper crime scene cleaning.
Threat to Health and Safety
When a crime scene is not properly cleaned, the biohazards post a number of health risks for those encountering the scene of the crime, even long after the accident occurred. The property is filled with a number of bacteria, pathogens, and viruses that can quickly spread infection and disease when handled improperly. In fact, anyone exposed to the area or comes in direct contact with these materials is at risk.
Common bloodborne pathogens involved in crime scenes include each of the following:
- MRSA
- Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
- Hepatitis B and C
- HIV
As protecting the health and safety for everyone on the property is the biggest priority, properly cleaning the scene and removing the biohazards is crucial. The products and equipment used in professional biohazard cleanup services are designed to remove blood stains and bodily fluids while disinfecting the structure to fully restore the property to its original condition. Many services will also work efficiently and discreetly to protect the family’s privacy.
Permanent Damage and Stains to Building Materials
If biohazards and blood stains are not removed properly within a specific time period, permanent damage can occur. For example, blood stains on carpeting must be removed right away before 
they settle into the carpet and cause permanent damage.
These blood stains on porous materials will not only cause discoloration, but weaken structure and furnishings, accelerating the deterioration process. When not removed properly, the stains can also take away from the aesthetics of the property, even creating a negative first impression for guests and clients.
To prevent permanent damage and stains, crime scene cleanup services will use professional products and equipment to remove all biohazards, blood, and bodily fluids from the building materials and furnishings. Within ample time, you can expect to return to a clean, disinfected property.
Powerful Odors
When blood, biohazards, and tissue stain building materials, strong odor particles become embedded within the pores of the property structure. This is a problem that no household cleaning agent can solve. Even if the stains and biohazards are removed to the property owner’s satisfaction, they will still notice the powerful odors left behind from the cleaning job.
To full remove these odors, advanced technology must be used, including hydroxyl technology, ozone generators, Nano carbon technology, or other powerful deodorizer. When used, they remove the oxygen from the property, as well as the odor particles embedded within the porous materials. But these machines are only available through biohazard cleanup or crime scene cleaners’ services, due to the safety procedures involved with the machines.
Improper Disposal of Biohazards
When cleaning up biohazards from crime scenes and accidents, they must be disposed of properly. But they may not be handled or disposed of properly if household materials and cleaning agents are used.
Proper disposal of biohazards requires them to be delivered to a licensed medical waste facility. Simply throwing them in the trash will only spread the risk of infection, disease, and powerful biohazardous odors that can harm garbage removal professionals.
The Crime Scene Cleanup Process
The cleanup process of each crime scene will vary, depending on the situation and amount of damage, but most will involve these steps.
- Initial Assessment: Before beginning the cleanup process, it’s necessary to identify the extent of the damage and the scope of the project. Crime scene cleaners will also determine the appropriate cleanup procedure.
- Biohazard Cleanup Preparation: To protect everyone’s safety, the affected area will be contained to prevent cross-contamination.
- Biohazard Removal: This part is the most dangerous part of the cleanup process. This also includes the removal of bodily fluids and other organic materials.
- Disinfection, Cleaning, and Deodorization: After all organic materials are removed, having the right equipment to disinfect the property is critical. But even with this equipment, proper cleaning requires trained and certified professionals.
- Restoration and Reconstruction: This part involves restoring any damage to the property structure, including laying down new carpeting, installing new drywall, and painting.
Choosing the Right Biohazard Cleanup Service
When searching for a crime scene cleaner or biohazard cleanup service, it’s important to choose one that will restore the scene to its original condition. The health and safety of you and your family depend on it.
While finding a trusted professional shouldn’t be daunting, it’s important to ensure they are licensed, trained, and experienced. The right company will use proven methods, professional cleaning products, and powerful deodorizers to fully restore the scene to its original condition.
Biohazard Cleanup from ServiceMaster Disaster Restoration and Recovery
If you are located in the San Francisco Bay Area, ServiceMaster Disaster Restoration and Recovery is available 24/7 to respond to biohazard emergencies. Not only are our professional certified, trained, and experienced, but they will work with law enforcement to not disturb any evidence before examined by the authorities.
They will also work efficiently and quietly to not disturb grieving families. After fully restoring the scene using advanced products, equipment, and processes, ServiceMaster DRR will work with your insurance agent during the claims process so you can focus on personal matters.
Emergency Response
Don’t hesitate to call ServiceMaster DRR at (800) 439-8833 for professional biohazard cleanup services if you live or work in the San Francisco Bay Area or the surrounding areas. We are available 24/7.
Steve VanDenBerg is the owner of ServiceMaster Disaster Restoration and Recovery. He has over 30 years of experience working within the restoration industry and successfully leading start-ups, turnarounds, acquisitions and mergers, and rapidly growing companies.
Steve earned his BS in Business & Accounting from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI and began working for DSI Holdings as their Chief Financial Officer. When Steve began with DSI Holdings, they were running an underperforming ServiceMaster Restore franchise with one location. Steve implemented new policies and procedures for accounting and finance as well as a professional sales plan that increased profits eightfold over his time as the CFO. He was then promoted to President and CEO and in this time, he expanded the company from two locations with $4M in sales to 12 locations and $45M in sales. DSI Holdings became one of the largest disaster restoration companies in the U.S. and helped with major restoration projects throughout the U.S. and around the world.
Steve purchased ServiceMaster DRR in 2015 when the business was in decline. Drawing on his years of experience in turning around struggling ServiceMaster franchises, Steve overhauled our operations, including finance, sales, and marketing, which led to a quick turnaround. Within Steve’s first 24 months, sales increased by 60 percent. Steve also helped greatly improve our operating margins and established a relationship with California’s largest residential insurance company. Under Steve’s leadership, we have become one of the largest disaster restoration providers in California.
Steve has found great success in turning around struggling and stagnant restoration franchises by changing the business model and strategy, greatly increasing sales and profits. Many of the changes he has implemented have even been adopted by the franchisor into their operating model.