What Does Crime Scene Cleaning Involve?

Crime Scene Cleaning Is a Regulated Biohazard Service

Crime scene cleaning - also called trauma scene cleanup or biohazard remediation following death - is a regulated service in Ontario governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act. It involves the safe removal and decontamination of blood, tissue, and other biological material from a property following a violent crime, suicide, unattended death, or accidental death. This work cannot be done by standard cleaning services, building maintenance staff, or family members.

In Ontario, property owners are legally responsible for ensuring that biological material from a death on their premises is remediated to a safe standard before re-occupancy. Failure to do so creates ongoing health hazards and potential legal liability.

What Crime Scene Cleaners Actually Do

• Site assessment: Determining the extent of contamination - visible and non-visible biological material can penetrate flooring, walls, and sub-flooring beyond the area of the initial scene
• Containment setup: Isolation of the affected area to prevent cross-contamination during the cleaning process
• Biological material removal: Removal of all contaminated soft materials - carpeting, drywall, insulation, and furnishings that cannot be decontaminated
• Surface decontamination: Application of EPA/Health Canada-approved disinfectants with documented dwell times to all affected hard surfaces
• Odour treatment: HEPA filtration and hydroxyl generator treatment to address airborne biological material and odour
• Air quality clearance testing: Verification that the space meets safe re-entry standards
• Documentation: Full written report for insurance, property management, or legal records

Who Can Request Crime Scene Cleanup

Property owners, landlords, property managers, estate executors, and family members of the deceased can all request crime scene cleanup services. In most cases, the request comes from the property owner or their representative. Police do not clean crime scenes - they collect evidence and then release the scene back to the property owner, who is then responsible for remediation.

If you have received a scene release from police and need to coordinate cleanup, call us immediately. We respond within hours, work discreetly, and handle all coordination with insurers and estate representatives.

Insurance and Cost Considerations

Crime scene cleanup is often covered under Ontario homeowner or property insurance policies as a sudden and accidental loss. Contact your insurer before authorizing work, and request that the cleanup company provide an itemized scope - insurers require this documentation for claims. Our team provides full documentation packages suitable for insurance claims, coroner's requirements, and property sale disclosures.

We understand that families contacting us are often in acute distress. We keep the process as straightforward as possible, handle insurance paperwork coordination, and work discreetly at all times - unmarked vehicles, no external signage, no photographs shared without consent.