Crime Scene Cleanup: Why It’s Not a DIY Job

Posted on by msi-admin

When people hear the term “crime scene cleanup,” they often imagine something out of a TV show—neatly taped-off areas and professionals in hazmat suits working behind the scenes. The truth is far more complex, and far more critical to public health and safety.

At MSI, we’ve handled countless biohazard cleanup situations—from unattended deaths to trauma scenes—and we can tell you firsthand: this is not a job for amateurs or general cleaners.

What Falls Under Crime Scene and Biohazard Cleanup?

This specialized service includes:

  • Unattended deaths (including decomposition)
  • Homicides and suicides
  • Accidental injuries or industrial accidents
  • Drug lab decontamination
  • Blood and bodily fluid cleanup
  • Vehicle trauma scenes
  • Infectious disease exposure (such as COVID-19 or MRSA)

Each of these scenarios poses serious risks to health and requires legally compliant disposal of biohazardous waste.

Why You Should Never Attempt This Yourself

Here’s what most people don’t realize until it’s too late:

  • Exposure to bloodborne pathogens like HIV, Hepatitis B/C, and bacteria is a real and present danger.
  • Improper cleanup can lead to lingering odors, stains, or contamination, putting future occupants at risk.
  • Biohazard waste cannot be thrown in the trash. It must be packaged, labeled, and transported according to federal and state regulations.
  • Insurance can often cover the cleanup, but only if performed by a certified professional.

What Professional Cleanup Really Involves

A certified biohazard team follows strict protocols to ensure the property is truly safe:

  • Full PPE (including respirators, face shields, and suits)
  • ATP surface testing to confirm cleanliness
  • Use of hospital-grade disinfectants
  • Removal and safe disposal of contaminated materials
  • Deodorization and air purification
  • Documentation for insurance and legal purposes

This work is not just technical—it’s emotional. Families going through a traumatic event should never be left to clean up the aftermath themselves.

Final Thoughts

If you or someone you know is dealing with a crime scene or biohazard situation, don’t make the mistake of calling a janitor or doing it yourself. This isn’t cleanup—it’s remediation.

MSI is certified in trauma and biohazard restoration and approaches every job with discretion, professionalism, and compassion. When lives are disrupted, we restore peace of mind—safely and legally.

10 Steps to Cleanup Blood Properly

Posted on by msi-admin

OSHA regulations with regard to cleaning up biohazardous substances are a guideline that should be followed. These mandated conditions, which include employee blood borne pathogen training, must be met to comply with government regulations to avoid shut downs and/or fines.  Human blood is a biohazard because it can expose you to a number of pathogens such as HIV, MRSA, Hepatitis B and C, and a plethora of others. Therefore, it is essential to be as thorough and precise as possible with bloodborne pathogen cleanup.

Here are the 10 Steps to Blood Cleanup:

  1. Cleaning Equipment: Being equipped with PPE. Gloves, a gown and protective eye gear can avoid exposure from even splashing, and all gear should be free from holes and tightly fit.
  2. Remove Dangers: Shards of broken glass can cause skin puncture so make sure to pick it up with forceps or by brushing it with a dustpan. Avoid picking up foreign materials with your hand to prevent skin puncture. Place it inside a container before proceeding to clean up the blood spill.
  3. Cleaning Round 1: Cover the spill in durable cloth towels to soak up as much blood as possible. The registered disinfectant product with a broad spectrum kill claim  will not properly disinfect if the surface is still covered in blood. Discard the used towels into a biohazard bag.
  4. Cleaning Round 2: Next, remove the towels and apply EPA registered disinfectant over the spill. Leave this on for at least ten minutes. Once the time has elapsed, scrub the area with a towel working from the outside, inwards towards the center
  5. Final Round: This time, soak a fresh cloth with the disinfectant and work on the affected areas from the outside in once more. This will effectively kill all bacteria and pathogens. Make sure to dispose the cloth inside a biohazard bag to prevent contamination from other items.
  6. Dispose Equipment: Once the cleaning process is completed, now you have to properly dispose of your equipment. All PPE and tools which can not be cleaned should be placed in a labeled biohazard bag for disposal.
  7. Decontaminate: Even if no visible blood splatters are in sight, it’s always important to decontaminate the area around the spillage. Use a disinfectant and clean any reusable equipment for ten to fifteen minutes. Rinse the area with clean, fresh water.
  8. Mandatory Check: Once you’re finished with the procedure, double-check your clothes, skin, and furniture around you for any contamination. If you happen to notice any blood, especially on your body, wash it off with the disinfectant and take a shower after that. It’s strongly recommended that you have a friend or a neighbor by your side for this particular step, just so they can lend you a hand and help you identify contaminated spots if there are any left.
  9. Wash Hands: Thoroughly wash your hands and arms vigorously with a disinfectant soap and warm water twice. Even after that, the use of wet wipes is a recommended next measure to ensure you are clean.
  10. Disposal of Waste: The last step is now the disposal of the contaminated waste.This requires a certified infectious disposal company to pickup your waste unless you’re dropping it off. Proper disposal of materials is a must and hefty fines could be issued if you illegally dispose of blood in regular trash.

Hiring the right company can not only avoid potential health risks, but also expedite the blood cleanup process with minimal effort or worry on your behalf. The risk isn’t worth the reward for attempting to cleanup potentially infectious materials on your own, and that’s why our team at, at MSI is at the ready to assist you in your time of need.