Crime and trauma scene cleanup

What the work involves

• Confirming the scene has been released by law enforcement or the medical examiner before anyone enters.
• Setting up a work area so contamination is not tracked through the rest of the building.
• Removing contaminated porous materials such as carpet, pad, upholstery and drywall when they cannot be cleaned.
• Cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces, then checking for spread into seams, subfloors and fixtures.
• Packaging and handing off waste for disposal under the rules that apply in your state.
• Setting aside personal items, papers and keepsakes for you to decide about.

What to expect

Most people call within hours or days of an investigation ending, often while still in shock. You do not need to know what to ask for. We will explain what we see, what has to be removed and why, and give you a written scope and price before any work starts.

What to do now

• Wait for the release. Entering before then can interfere with an investigation.
• Do not try to clean it yourself. Household cleaning often spreads blood into places it was not.
• Keep people and pets out of the area and close it off if you can.
• If you rent, let your landlord or property manager know. If you own, you may want to call your insurer.

Where we do this work

Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas. Each state page covers the rules that affect cleanup there.

• Tennessee
• Kentucky
• Virginia
• North Carolina
• Georgia
• Alabama
• Mississippi
• Arkansas

This page is general information, not legal, medical or insurance advice. Rules change; check current requirements with the agency named.