Why Professional Crime Scene Cleanup Is Essential — And What to Expect | American Eagle Restoration

What Is Crime Scene Cleanup?

Crime scene cleanup is the process of removing blood, bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) from a site where a violent death, accident, or traumatic event has occurred. It’s not just about surface cleaning — it’s about deep sanitization, odor control, and legal compliance.

This service is most often required after:

• Homicides or assaults
• Suicides or suicide attempts
• Unattended deaths (where the body was undiscovered for some time)
• Accidents with significant blood or tissue loss
• Police-involved incidents
• Drug-related scenes involving hazardous substances

Unlike general cleaning or janitorial work, crime scene cleanup must follow strict OSHA, EPA, and state guidelines for handling and disposing of biohazards. That’s where American Eagle Restoration steps in — providing expert care that protects both property and people.

Why You Should Never Handle Crime Scene Cleanup Yourself

It might be tempting to handle the situation alone, especially in private residences or small businesses. But attempting to clean up after a traumatic event without proper training and equipment can have serious consequences.

Here’s why DIY crime scene cleanup is strongly discouraged:

1. Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

Contaminants such as HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and other infectious diseases may be present in blood or bodily fluids. Proper handling requires PPE (personal protective equipment), regulated disposal protocols, and deep disinfection — none of which are available to most individuals.

2. Emotional Trauma

For family members, landlords, or employees, returning to a space where a traumatic event occurred can be painful. Seeing or dealing with remnants of that trauma can compound grief and delay emotional recovery.

3. Legal and Ethical Responsibilities

Crime scene cleanup must comply with public health regulations. Improper disposal of contaminated materials may be a violation of state or federal law. Additionally, properties that aren't properly decontaminated may not be legally fit for occupancy or resale.

4. Hidden Contamination

Fluids can seep under floors, into walls, or through HVAC systems. Without professional tools like HEPA filtration, ATP testing, and industrial deodorizers, hidden contaminants can continue to pose health risks — even after visible areas appear clean.

When you work with American Eagle Restoration, you get a certified team that knows exactly how to handle biohazards safely and legally, while giving you the time and space you need to heal.

What the Crime Scene Cleanup Process Involves

Every situation is unique, but our crime scene cleanup services always follow a structured, meticulous process to ensure complete recovery.

1. Assessment & Site Preparation

We begin with a detailed evaluation of the site, identifying all potential hazards. This includes:

• Bloodborne pathogens
• Bodily fluids
• Contaminated materials
• Sharp objects or broken glass
• Structural damage

The area is then isolated and secured to prevent cross-contamination.

2. Removal & Disposal of Biohazards

Using hospital-grade PPE, our technicians remove biohazardous waste including:

• Blood
• Tissue
• Bodily fluids
• Porous materials like carpets or mattresses

All waste is sealed in approved biohazard containers and transported to licensed medical waste facilities.

3. Cleaning & Disinfection

We clean all affected surfaces with EPA-registered disinfectants, including:

• Floors and walls
• Furniture and fixtures
• HVAC vents and filters
• Hard-to-reach crevices or porous surfaces

Advanced ATP monitoring ensures bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens are fully eliminated.

4. Odor Removal

Even after surfaces are cleaned, odors from decomposition or fluids can linger. We use:

• Ozone treatment
• Hydroxyl generators
• HEPA air scrubbers
• Enzymatic odor neutralizers

These methods fully eliminate airborne and embedded smells — not just mask them.

5. Final Inspection & Clearance

We perform a final safety inspection to confirm:

• All biohazards are removed
• Disinfection meets legal standards
• The area is safe for occupancy

At that point, we issue a clearance for reentry, providing documentation as needed for insurance or legal use.

Who Needs Crime Scene Cleanup Services?

Our clients come from a wide range of backgrounds, but they all share the same need: fast, discreet, and professional cleanup.

🏠 Homeowners & Landlords

Accidents and crimes in residential spaces leave property owners legally responsible for cleanup. Our services ensure properties are restored safely for tenants or family members.

🏢 Businesses & Commercial Properties

When incidents happen in public or commercial spaces, immediate response is critical to avoid business disruption, protect employees, and maintain public safety standards.

👮 Law Enforcement & First Responders

Police and EMS teams rely on trusted partners like American Eagle Restoration to handle aftermaths once an investigation is complete.

📑 Families & Executors

Handling the affairs of a deceased loved one is difficult enough. We help ease the burden by quietly and compassionately restoring the space.

What Sets American Eagle Restoration Apart?

When dealing with trauma, professionalism and empathy matter. Here’s what you can expect when working with our team:

✅ Certified Crime Scene Cleanup Experts

Our technicians are trained in:

• OSHA bloodborne pathogen protocols
• HAZWOPER standards (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response)
• Trauma scene management
• Regulated waste disposal laws

✅ Compassionate, Confidential Service

We know you’re going through a lot. That’s why we arrive discreetly, work quietly, and keep your privacy and dignity top of mind.

✅ 24/7 Rapid Response

Tragedy doesn’t keep business hours — and neither do we. We’re available 24/7 to respond fast and minimize disruption.

✅ Licensed Disposal & Insurance Assistance

We handle all biohazard transport legally and safely — and we help you manage insurance claims, paperwork, and estimates along the way.

With American Eagle Restoration, you get a trusted partner, not just a cleaning crew.

How Long Does Crime Scene Cleanup Take?

The duration of a cleanup depends on several key factors:

• Size of the affected area
• Extent of contamination
• Number of rooms or surfaces involved
• Whether structural repairs are required

⏱ Typical Timeline:

• Smaller scenes: 4–8 hours
• Moderate scenes: 1–2 days
• Large-scale cleanup: Several days (especially if structural work is needed)

We always provide a detailed estimate upfront so you know exactly what to expect — no surprises.

What Happens to Contaminated Items?

One of the most sensitive aspects of cleanup is dealing with personal property. Here's how we handle it:

🧼 Salvageable Items:

• Non-porous materials (metal, glass, sealed wood) can usually be cleaned and disinfected
• Hard surfaces are sanitized and tested for pathogens

🗑 Items Requiring Disposal:

• Soft furnishings like mattresses, carpets, curtains, and upholstery often absorb biohazards
• These are removed and disposed of at licensed medical waste facilities

Our goal is always to preserve as much as possible, while protecting the health of everyone who enters the space in the future.

Is Crime Scene Cleanup Covered by Insurance?

In many cases, yes. Crime scene cleanup is often covered under homeowners, renters, or commercial property insurance policies — especially if related to:

• Homicide or suicide
• Vandalism
• Accidents or medical emergencies
• Unattended deaths

Our Role:

• Document all damage and cleanup steps
• Provide invoices and itemized reports
• Communicate directly with your insurance company
• Handle direct billing, when applicable

We take care of the logistics, so you can focus on what really matters — recovery.

The Human Side of Cleanup — Supporting Families in Crisis

At American Eagle Restoration, we recognize that crime scene cleanup is about more than removing biohazards. It’s about helping people regain control and dignity after a life-altering event.

Here’s how we support our clients:

• We respond quickly, so families don’t have to live with reminders of trauma
• We work quietly and compassionately, with sensitivity to grief and loss
• We keep communication clear and respectful, always honoring your wishes
• We help restore a sense of normalcy as quickly as possible

This is one of the hardest times in a person’s life — and our job is to make it just a little easier.

Final Thoughts: Let Professionals Handle the Painful Part

Traumatic events leave emotional and physical damage in their wake. Attempting to handle the aftermath alone can be dangerous, emotionally exhausting, and even legally risky. You don’t have to go through it alone.

American Eagle Restoration provides fast, professional, and discreet crime scene cleanup that ensures your home, business, or property is safe, clean, and ready to be lived in again. Our certified experts handle the biohazards — so you can focus on healing.

👉 Need Help Now?

We’re available 24/7. Whether you’re facing a tragedy or helping someone else through one, we’re here for you with compassionate, expert service.

Contact American Eagle Restoration now for immediate response or a confidential consultation.