The idea of a crime scene in your own home can feel overwhelming and surreal. Yet, if you find yourself in such an unsettling situation, knowing what to do—and what not to do—can make a significant difference. Handling a crime scene in your home is not just about keeping your emotions in check; it’s about prioritizing safety, preserving evidence, and ensuring the professionals have what they need to do their job.
Here, we’ll walk you through the essential dos and don’ts to help you approach this sensitive situation responsibly while emphasizing the importance of seeking professional help.
Your safety comes first. If the situation is still unfolding or if you're unsure whether the threat has been neutralized, leave the premises immediately. Call 911 and stay at a safe distance until law enforcement arrives.
Leaving the scene protects not just your safety but also helps ensure you don’t unintentionally disturb any evidence. This precaution is necessary, as even well-meaning actions—like walking around the area—could compromise the investigation.
Once you’re in a safe place, contact the police right away. Explain the situation as clearly as possible and provide any information you have. Their immediate involvement is critical in protecting evidence, understanding what happened, and ensuring justice is served.
Once law enforcement and emergency responders have been contacted, do everything you can to preserve the integrity of the area. That means keeping family members, friends, or neighbors away from the crime scene. More foot traffic increases the likelihood of contamination, which could make it harder to gather evidence or reconstruct the sequence of events.
A good rule of thumb is to treat the space as if it’s under an invisible chain of custody from the moment you realize something has happened.
Without physically touching or altering anything, take note of key observations. For example:
This type of information can be critical during investigations and could help jog your memory later when asked for details.
Once law enforcement and investigators have finished their work, you’re left with the aftermath—which can be emotionally and physically taxing. Blood, bodily fluids, and other biohazards pose serious health risks if not handled properly. Professional crime scene cleaners, like Bio-One of Marion County, specialize in safely and thoroughly restoring such spaces. With the right tools and training, they can ensure the area is free of contamination and ready for you to reclaim as your home.
External resources like OSHA guidelines on biohazard cleanup can highlight the risks involved and why this isn’t a DIY job.
Your instinct might be to clean up or rearrange items, but fight the urge. Every object in the crime scene could hold valuable forensic evidence, from fingerprints to fibers and even trace amounts of DNA. Even seemingly small adjustments—like picking up a fallen item or closing a door—can disrupt the evidence chain.
It’s natural to want to restore normalcy as quickly as possible, but handling a crime scene cleanup is best left to professionals. Not only can blood and bodily fluids transmit diseases like Hepatitis B or HIV, but improper cleaning techniques can also spread contaminants without fully removing them.
Instead of putting yourself at risk, allow crime scene cleaning experts to step in. They have specialized training, industrial-grade cleaning agents, and protective equipment to ensure the job is done safely.
While it may be tempting to talk about what happened with neighbors or post on social media, discretion is key. Sharing too much information could compromise an investigation or create unnecessary confusion. Stick to discussing details only with trusted law enforcement officials or legal representatives.
Even after the initial police work, investigations can remain ongoing. Evidence might need further analysis, or authorities might return with follow-up questions. While waiting for clearance from law enforcement, continue to limit access to the area and avoid making any changes.
A crime scene in your home is a traumatic experience. Check in with yourself, your family, and anyone else affected by the event. It’s okay to seek therapy or counseling to process the emotions involved. Local support services or national helplines can connect you with trained counselors who understand trauma.
Handling a crime scene is overwhelming, both emotionally and physically. Whether it’s figuring out the next steps with police or cleaning up afterward, the process can leave you feeling drained.
That’s where professionals can make a difference. Companies like Bio-One of Marion County specialize in compassionate, discreet, and effective cleanup services. Hiring experts to handle a crime scene in your home allows you to focus on rebuilding and recovering without risking your health or tampering with evidence.
Their highly trained teams can handle:
This support ensures peace of mind, knowing the space has been restored safely and thoroughly.
A crime scene in your home is an experience no one should have to face, but knowing how to handle it can help you regain control in an otherwise chaotic moment. By prioritizing safety, avoiding common mistakes, and calling in professionals when necessary, you can ensure that the situation is dealt with responsibly.
If you or a loved one needs help after a traumatic event, don’t wait to reach out. With a quick visit to Bio-One of Marion County, you can learn more about how they can support you through this difficult time. Remember, you don’t have to face this alone. Help is just a call away.
Bio-One specializes in blood and bodily fluids, decomposition/undiscovered death, crime scene, suicide cleanup, tear gas, feces/urine, sewage backups, and odor removal. Helping people get their lives back in order is our #1 priority.
Bio-One of Marion County is here to help you 24/7, 365 days a year! Call (317) 499-0614, and you'll speak directly to one of us when you call; there is never an answering service. We'll treat you like a person with the compassion and respect that you deserve.
When a traumatic event occurs, such as an accident, unattended death, or criminal activity, professional cleanup is often necessary to restore safety and order. This is where the crime scene cleanup process comes in. It’s a meticulous and essential task that requires expertise, care, and an unwavering commitment to safety. At Bio-One of Marion County, we specialize in this field, handling every step with professionalism and compassion.
The first step in the crime scene cleanup process is a thorough assessment of the affected area. This involves understanding the nature of the incident, determining the extent of contamination, and identifying safety risks. Trained technicians will assess the materials involved, such as furniture, flooring, and personal belongings, to decide what can be cleaned and what must be removed.
At Bio-One of Marion County, we take this step seriously, ensuring that no detail is overlooked. Our team is trained not only to evaluate the scene but also to respect the privacy and emotions of those affected.
Safety is a top priority during the crime scene cleanup process. Before any cleaning begins, technicians secure the area to prevent unauthorized access and protect themselves and others from potential biohazards. Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, and suits is used to ensure the team's safety.
One of the most critical stages of the crime scene cleanup process is the removal of all biohazardous materials. This includes bodily fluids, blood, and tissues, which can pose serious health risks if not handled properly. Using specialized tools and cleaning agents, technicians meticulously remove contaminants while adhering to strict protocols and local regulations.
Our team at Bio-One of Marion County is equipped with cutting-edge technology and cleaning methods to safely and efficiently eliminate all traces of hazardous materials. We treat each job with the highest standards of safety and care.
After hazardous materials are removed, the area undergoes a deep cleaning and sanitization process to ensure it is free from bacteria, pathogens, and odors. Industrial-grade disinfectants and advanced techniques, such as fogging or steam cleaning, are used during this step. The goal is to return the space to a safe, livable condition.
Once cleaning and sanitization are complete, technicians work to restore the area to its original state as much as possible. This may include minor repairs, repainting, or replacing damaged flooring. While the crime scene cleanup process can’t always erase emotional scars, it can provide a sense of closure by restoring the physical environment.
At Bio-One of Marion County, we take pride in delivering high-quality restorations that help families and property owners move forward.
The crime scene cleanup process concludes with the safe disposal of biohazardous materials. These items cannot be discarded in regular trash; instead, they are securely transported to licensed facilities for disposal. This step ensures that all waste is handled in compliance with environmental and health regulations.
Crime scene cleanup is not just about cleaning; it’s about compassion. The Bio-One of Marion County team understands how sensitive these situations can be. We are here to provide not only expert services but also the support and discretion you deserve during such difficult times.
Our team is trained, certified, and available 24/7 to assist with any cleanup needs, offering peace of mind when it’s needed most. From assessment to restoration, we handle every aspect of the crime scene cleanup process with care and precision.
If you or someone you know needs professional crime scene cleanup services, don’t hesitate to reach out to Bio-One of Marion County. Our skilled team is here to help you through every step of the process, ensuring safety, cleanliness, and respect along the way. Contact us today for expert assistance and compassionate care when it matters most.
Bio-One specializes in blood and bodily fluids, decomposition/undiscovered death, crime scene, suicide cleanup, tear gas, feces/urine, sewage backups, and odor removal. Helping people get their lives back in order is our #1 priority.
Bio-One of Marion County is here to help you 24/7, 365 days a year! Call (317) 499-0614, and you'll speak directly to one of us when you call; there is never an answering service. We'll treat you like a person with the compassion and respect that you deserve.
The aftermath of a crime scene can be emotionally devastating, often filled with pain, trauma, and unpleasant reminders, and it's an undertaking that nobody wants to face. The reality is that crime scene cleanup becomes crucial in the process of restoring a home or business property, but the emotional toll it takes on those involved should not be overlooked.
In this blog post, we will discuss the emotional impact of cleaning the aftermath of a crime, the hazards that may be encountered, and the resources available for those who need support. Additionally, we will look at how our experienced team at Bio-One of Marion County can provide the necessary services and support during this transition.
Unlike the daily cleaning tasks many of us perform, crime scene cleanup involves significantly more. When someone experiences a violent crime on their property, there's a turmoil of concerns that need to be addressed promptly. The emotional toll, on the other hand, can be overwhelming. Cleaning up the aftermath, whether it involves blood, bodily fluids, or damaged property, can trigger feelings of:
It is natural for individuals to feel overwhelmed and distressed, as the scene may serve as a constant reminder of the traumatic event that took place. This can make it difficult to cope with and move on from the experience. It's not something to be taken lightly.
Crime scenes can be full of hazards like broken glass, sharp objects, and hazardous waste. Bloodborne pathogens, biohazardous materials, and other dangers are present at crime scenes and require specialized training, licensing, and equipment to handle and remove them safely.
Any untrained person attempting to clean up after a crime scene could be putting themselves at risk of contracting serious diseases, infections, or illnesses. It’s best to have the right professionals to handle it.
Learn more about the hazards of a crime scene: The Unexpected Challenges of Being a Crime Scene Cleaner
If you're feeling overwhelmed with the emotional impact of a crime scene, there are resources available to help you cope. Counseling services, support groups, and specialized therapy can be very helpful when dealing with trauma. Here are some key resources that you can share with anyone dealing with the aftermath of a crime scenario:
Leverage these resources; they strive to support your recovery following such traumatic events.
Our team at Bio-One of Marion County specializes in crime scene cleanup and offers services with the utmost respect, empathy, and privacy. We can handle the emotional and physical demands of a crime scene. With our expertise, you can rest assured that the scene will be properly cleaned and restored to its pre-incident state.
We also work closely with insurance companies to make sure that our services are available for those affected by a crime. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you or someone you know needs help!
Bio-One of Marion County is a locally owned and operated biohazard and hoarding cleaning company serving Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. We specialize in all types of extreme cleaning, including blood and bodily fluids, decomposition/undiscovered death, suicide cleanup, tear gas, feces/urine, rodent droppings, sewage backups, hoarding, gross filth, virus/bacteria disinfection and odor removal. Helping people get their lives back in order is our #1 priority.
Bio-One of Marion County is here to help you 24/7, 365 days a year! Call (317) 499-0614, and you'll speak directly to one of us when you call; there is never an answering service. We'll treat you like a person with the compassion and respect that you deserve.
Bio-One, Inc to Partner with Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund in Honoring American Law Enforcement. Commitment includes corporate partnership and support of future exhibits.
Bio-One, Inc., America’s first crime and trauma scene cleaning franchise, has partnered with the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund to contribute to its mission in honoring American Law Enforcement.
Bio-One Inc. operates in 41 states with over 100 locations and is committed to providing service in suicide and homicide clean up, hoarding remediation, homeless encampment clean-up, urine and feces removal, and more. With the motto, Help First, Business Second, Bio-One provides high-level decontamination and biohazard cleanup services while offering clients the privacy and compassion needed at difficult times.
“Bio-One has always been an avid supporter of first responders and the decision to align ourselves with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial was second nature,” said Nick-Anthony Zamucen, founder of Bio-One Inc. “As last responders, Bio-One works closely with law enforcement officers across the country to serve community members in their greatest time of need. We value their relentless dedication and sacrifices to support the community, and it’s our honor to support the history and the future of law enforcement.”
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund built and continues to maintain the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial – the nation’s monument to law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The Museum tells the story of American law enforcement through exhibits, collections, research and education.
“We are so thankful for Bio-One’s corporate partnership and their continued support of the Memorial Fund,” said Marcia Ferranto, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund. “This partnership will further bolster the Memorial Fund’s mission of honoring America’s Law Enforcement, as well as provide support for the Museum’s upcoming exhibition opening in September. We are grateful for their commitment.”
About the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American law enforcement, and making it safer for those who serve. The Memorial Fund maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., which honors the names of all of the 22,611 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history.