What is homicide cleanup?
Homicide cleanup is the biohazard work done after a death investigated as a homicide. The scene may involve a lot of blood and tissue, evidence collection residue, and damage from the event itself. It is a specific type of crime scene cleanup because the investigation is longer, the scene can be larger, and the people who need the cleanup are often grieving relatives, not a business.
This page covers the practical side. If you are the family, the people at the provider are not there to ask what happened. Their job is to make the property safe and to do it without more pain for you.
How long does the scene stay closed?
Longer than most people expect. A homicide investigation can hold a property for hours, days or longer. Detectives may need to return to the scene, and the property can be released in stages. Do not enter or clean until the investigating agency, whether the Lakeland Police Department or the Polk County Sheriff's Office, tells you the scene is released. The Sheriff's non-emergency line is 863-298-6200.
When a scene is released, owners often receive no instructions about cleanup. Investigators collect, document and leave. Nobody tells you what to do next, which is why people end up calling relatives and Google. Calling a referral line to be matched with a provider is a reasonable move.
What does the cleanup remove?
- Blood and tissue from floors, walls, ceilings and furniture
- Carpet, padding, mattresses and soaked fabrics
- Drywall, trim or flooring that fluid or tissue has reached
- Fingerprint powder, forensic chemicals and tape residue
- Glass, damaged doors or fixtures, which are flagged for repair
- Odor, if the scene sat for any time before discovery
Violent events spread material in ways other scenes do not. Spatter on a ceiling, material behind baseboards and fluid in wall cavities all need to be checked, and that is why a thorough provider walks the entire property and not only the main room.
How does a provider work through it?
The process matches a standard crime scene job, with more attention to scope.
- Walk-through and scope. The provider documents the extent of contamination, including areas away from the main scene.
- Containment. Doors, vents and openings are sealed so contamination does not travel.
- Protective equipment. Suits, gloves, boots and respirators meet OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030).
- Removal. Contaminated porous material is cut out and packaged.
- Cleaning and disinfection. Remaining surfaces are cleaned first, then disinfected with an EPA-registered product.
- Odor treatment where required.
- Waste handling. Biomedical waste goes through a Florida Department of Health registered transporter under Chapter 64E-16, and you should receive a receipt.
- Inspection and a clear report of what was done.
ANSI/IICRC S540 is the industry's reference standard for trauma and crime scene cleanup. Ask the provider whether it follows S540 and whether its technicians hold relevant certifications.
Who pays?
The owner pays first, and the question of who ultimately bears the cost is separate. Homeowners and landlord insurance policies often cover cleanup after a sudden loss, subject to exclusions and a deductible. Florida also runs a Crime Victim Compensation program through the Attorney General's office, and a victim or a family member should ask whether cleanup costs qualify in their case. A victim advocate at the agency handling the case can often explain what applies.
A written estimate from the provider is the document your insurer and any assistance program will want. Keep the case number, the investigating agency's contact and anything you were told about the release of the scene.
What about discretion and privacy?
Many families want the work done quietly. Ask the provider whether crews can arrive in unmarked vehicles, how they handle neighbors and reporters, and whether they can coordinate with a family representative instead of you. Providers differ, so ask before you agree.
News of a violent crime spreads quickly in a place like Lakeland, where neighbors talk and local reporters pay attention. A provider that understands that will help you control who knows what and when.
Is there anything specific to Lakeland?
The agency you deal with depends on where the property is. Inside Lakeland city limits it is usually the Lakeland Police Department, and in unincorporated Polk County it is the Sheriff's Office. The ZIP codes and communities spread across 33801 to 33815 include apartment complexes, gated communities and rural lots, and access, parking and neighbor visibility all affect how a cleanup is done. In summer heat, any delay between the event and cleanup increases the work, and humidity makes odor worse.
When should I call?
Call once the scene is released. If you want to line up help while you are waiting, call us anyway. We connect you with an independent provider that serves your ZIP code, such as North Lakeland or Cleveland Heights. If your situation involves a long period before discovery, the unattended death cleanup page explains the added work. For the overall process, see the biohazard cleanup in Lakeland, FL homepage.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for cleaning a homicide scene?
The property owner or whoever has legal authority over the property arranges the cleanup, after law enforcement releases the scene. Police and the medical examiner do not clean.
How long does it take to get the scene released?
It varies with the case. Detectives can hold a property for hours or days and may release it in stages. Ask the investigating agency directly.
Can a victim's family get help paying for cleanup?
Possibly. Insurance may cover it, and Florida runs a Crime Victim Compensation program through the Attorney General's office. Ask a victim advocate whether cleanup costs qualify.
Will neighbors or reporters find out who did the cleanup?
Providers cannot control the news, but they can limit visibility by using discreet vehicles and a single point of contact. Ask what they offer.
Is homicide cleanup different from crime scene cleanup?
It is a type of crime scene cleanup. Homicide scenes tend to be larger, involve longer investigations and require more thorough scoping, so providers treat them with more care.
Can I get my belongings back?
Often some can be saved and some cannot. Ask the provider to set aside items that matter and to photograph others so you can decide.