Homicide Cleanup
After investigators leave, homicide cleanup removes contaminated materials along with tissue and blood.
See homicide cleanup
24/7 crime scene cleaning services
Crime Scene Cleanup in Charleston, WV
Once police release the property, get blood, body fluids, fingerprint powder and odor removed safely, so your home or business is livable again. Most crime scene cleanups take one to three days.
Call (888) 351-0904
Talk to a cleanup specialist nowAnswered 24 hours a day. No forms.
- Unmarked vehicles
- OSHA bloodborne pathogen rules
- Insurance photos and records
Police release firstCleanup starts once the scene is released to you.
24/7 callsDay, night, weekends and holidays
Unmarked vehiclesPrivate, quiet work
OSHA protocolsBloodborne pathogen rules
Release to restoreOne to three days for most scenes
Crime Scene Cleanup explained
What Crime Scene Cleanup in Charleston Means and Includes
Crime scene cleanup, also called forensic cleaning or trauma scene cleanup, is the removal of blood, body fluids, tissue and contaminated materials after a violent crime, then disinfection and odor removal so the property is safe to use again.
Police and detectives gather evidence, while the medical examiner removes the deceased. Their work does not include cleaning. When the investigation ends, they release the scene, leaving cleanup to the landlord, the family or whoever owns the property.
Every trace of blood is treated as infectious by a forensic clean up crew. These workers are also known as forensic or crime scene cleaners. They follow its path, take out materials that cannot be disinfected, treat and clean all surfaces, then transport hazardous material according to medical waste rules. This complete work is a type of biohazard remediation.
- Tissue, bodily fluids and blood across any surface
- Fingerprint powder, luminol and chemical residue
- Carpet, padding, furnishings and drywall that are soaked
- Odor trapped in air, ventilation and soft surfaces
Call (888) 351-0904Ask about cost and timing by phone
Why property owners and families reach out
Choosing a Crime Scene Cleanup Company in Charleston, WV
Insurance Assistance for Crime Scene Cleanup
Documentation for landlords and insurance companies includes pictures, the project scope and waste records to help you move forward.
A Clear Explanation of Each Crime Scene Cleaning Step
You hear the cleanup steps and what affects the price before any work starts, so you can make the right decision for your family.
Discreet 24/7 Crime Scene Cleanup
Calls are answered day and night, and crews arrive in unmarked vehicles so neighbors do not know what happened.
Care for Loved Ones' Belongings
Keepsakes, photos and documents are set aside and reviewed with you, never thrown out without asking.
Call (888) 351-0904Private help, day or night
Situations
When to Call Crime Scene Cleaners in Charleston, WV
Crime scene cleaning services are needed any time a violent event leaves blood or body fluids behind. Common situations include:
Shooting and Stabbing Cleanup
Ceilings and walls may have blood spatter, and the carpet and subfloor beneath a person may be saturated.
Police Entry Tear Gas Cleanup
Tear gas or pepper spray residue on walls, fabrics and HVAC ductwork after a standoff.
Workplace Crime Scene Cleaning
Commercial crime scene cleanup in offices, stores and warehouses, with work areas isolated during cleaning.
Homicide Scene Cleanup
Tissue and blood may affect furniture, walls and flooring across multiple rooms.
Burglary and Break-In Cleanup
Blood on shattered glass, broken doors and fingerprint powder may remain across the home.
Suicide Scene Cleanup
Family members can avoid seeing the scene when cleanup is done privately.
First steps
Your First Actions Following Crime Scene Release in Kanawha County
Your health, final cost and insurance claim can all be affected by what happens in the first hours. While waiting for cleanup technicians:
Call (888) 351-0904- Confirm the release. Have the investigating officer or detective verify that you may take control of the scene.
- Do not enter the affected area. Close the door, keep children and pets away and do not walk through blood.
- Do not start cleaning. Retail cleaners can make porous items hold stains while moving contamination to new areas.
- Call your insurance company. Report the event, ask about biohazard cleanup coverage and write down the claim number.
- Call for crime scene cleanup. Describe the rooms and surfaces affected so the cleanup team can plan the job.
Price ranges
How Crime Scene Cleanup Cost Is Set in Charleston, WV
Published guides show that most residential crime scene cleanups cost from $1,500 to $7,500. Pricing is usually based on the job instead of an hourly rate. A small surface-blood area can fall below that range, but blood in multiple rooms or reaching the subfloor can bring the total above $10,000. The on-site assessment sets your final price.
Minor Blood Cleanup Cost
$500 to $2,500Source: BioCleaners DirectorySingle-Room Crime Scene Cleanup
$1,500 to $4,000Source: BioCleaners DirectoryTypical Crime Scene Cleanup Cost
$1,500 to $7,500Source: BioRecovery cost guideLarge Multi-Room Crime Scenes
$10,000 and upSource: BioCleaners Directory, 2026What Changes the Cost of Crime Scene Cleanup in Charleston
- The quantity of regulated waste requiring treatment
- If blood entered drywall, subfloor or carpet padding
- After-hours or weekend start
- How many rooms and surfaces are affected
- The delay between the event and cleaning
- Odor treatment and air quality work
Crime Scene Cleanup Cost Estimates, Not Final Pricing
The figures shown are national ranges from published cost guides and are not based on an on-site visit. The price for your property is set after the on-site assessment, and you hear it before work starts.
Ask about cost: (888) 351-0904Insurance and who pays
Does Insurance Cover Crime Scene Cleanup in West Virginia? Who Pays?
Your policy controls whether crime scene cleanup has coverage. A homeowners or renters policy might classify the event as accidental and sudden, with a possible deductible.
Crime Scene Cleanup Questions for Your Insurance Company
Find out if biohazard cleanup is covered, if the cleanup company is your choice, and what records and photos the adjuster requires.
Landlord Responsibility for Crime Scene Cleanup
In rental units and common areas, the owner usually arranges and pays for crime scene cleanup.
Homeowners Insurance Coverage for Crime Scene Cleanup
The terms of your renters or homeowners policy decide whether a violent crime is covered. Keep your claim number after reporting the event without delay.
West Virginia Crime Victim Compensation for Cleanup
Victims of violent crime can ask the West Virginia Crime Victims Compensation Fund whether cleanup costs can be included in a compensation claim. Insurance is usually checked first.
Call (888) 351-0904No forms. Just call.
Step by step
How the Crime Scene Cleaning Process Works in Greater Charleston
A safe, consistent order guides the remediation process, even though every crime scene differs. From the opening walk-through until final inspection, the crime scene cleanup process follows that sequence.
Crime Scene Assessment
Before starting, technicians join you or your representative for an inspection, take photos and confirm the planned work.
Containment and Protective Gear
Plastic barriers and negative air isolate the affected area while technicians use complete personal protective equipment.
Removal of Contaminated Materials
Any saturated carpet, drywall, furniture, padding or mattress is cut out and secured in sealed medical waste bags.
Crime Scene Cleaning and Disinfection
All surfaces receive cleaning followed by an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant applied for the full contact time.
Odor Removal and Air Quality
Technicians inspect HVAC vents and target the odor source using ozone, hydroxyl generators or air scrubbers.
Biohazard Waste Disposal
Sealed containers go to a permitted medical waste facility with the paperwork that tracks them.
Final Inspection and ATP Testing
Surfaces can be checked with ATP testing, and you get photos and records for your insurance claim.
Restoration After Crime Scene Cleanup
A contractor you choose or your insurer's vendor can replace any drywall and floors removed during cleaning.
Looking for Crime Scene Cleanup Services in Charleston Today?
Phone any hour. A crime scene cleanup specialist answers, explains the steps and agrees a start time with you.
Health and safety
Crime Scene Cleaning Health Risks and Why You Should Not Do It Yourself
Blood and bodily fluids can carry serious health risks, and the contamination you can see is rarely all of it.
Contaminated Materials Left Behind
Blood runs under baseboards, soaks through carpet into the pad and subfloor, and settles into grout. Surface cleaning leaves it there, where odor and bacteria come back.
Biohazard Waste Disposal in West Virginia
Medical waste rules apply to soaked materials. They cannot go in household trash or a dumpster, and must go to an approved treatment facility.
The Emotional Toll on Families
The task of cleaning a place where your loved one suffered can feel overwhelming. For that reason alone, many households turn to professional crime scene cleaners.
Bloodborne Pathogens at Crime Scenes
HIV and the hepatitis B and C viruses may be carried in blood. Despite dry-looking blood, hepatitis B may survive on surfaces for at least seven days, according to the CDC.
Can you clean it yourself? For a few drops of blood that are fresh and limited to a non-porous hard surface, use gloves plus an EPA-registered disinfectant. Professional cleanup is needed when you cannot identify the spill edges or when contamination reaches wood, drywall, carpeting or fabric.
Call (888) 351-0904Talk it through with a cleanup specialist
Porous vs non-porous
What Crime Scene Cleaners Clean, Remove and Replace in Kanawha County
Materials that can be completely disinfected are cleaned and kept. Anything penetrated by blood must be taken out.
Cleaned and Kept: Non-Porous Surfaces
- Sealed wood floors along with vinyl and tile
- Glass, metal and finished countertops
- Painted walls with surface spatter
- Hard furniture with sealed finishes
Removed: Blood-Soaked Porous Materials
- Carpet and carpet pad
- Mattresses and upholstered furniture
- Baseboards and drywall penetrated by blood
- Subfloor sections under deep stains
Personal Property Handled With Care
- You help sort personal property and mementos
- Photos and paperwork cleaned or kept separate
- Potential police evidence kept undisturbed
Call (888) 351-0904Answered 24/7, including holidays
Timeline
How Much Time Does Crime Scene Cleanup Require in Charleston?
Most crime scene cleanups are completed on site in one to three days. One day may be enough for a recent, small scene. Heavy cleanup that includes structural removal may require two to five days.
| Scene | Typical time on site |
|---|---|
| Light scene, one area | Often one to two days |
| Standard scene affecting one to two rooms | Often one to three days |
| Extensive scene requiring subfloor removal or several rooms | Often two to five days |
Odor and air
Crime Scene Odor Removal and Air Quality in West Virginia
The source must be removed before the odor can be addressed. Spraying fragrance on tissue or blood masks the smell for just a few days.
After the contaminated materials are gone, the cleanup team can use HEPA air scrubbers to capture particles, hydroxyl generators that are safe to run while people are present, and ozone treatment in empty rooms for stubborn odor. Thermal fogging reaches odor in fabrics and wall cavities, and HVAC ductwork is checked so smell does not travel to other rooms.
Call (888) 351-0904Ask about cost and timing by phone
Rules in plain English
Rules for Crime Scene Cleanup in Kanawha County and West Virginia
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
Federal rule 29 CFR 1910.1030 establishes handling, training and protective equipment requirements where occupational blood exposure is possible.
EPA-Registered Disinfectants for Blood
A disinfectant for blood should carry EPA registration and stay on each surface for the complete labeled contact period.
West Virginia Medical Waste Rules
West Virginia classes waste capable of causing infectious disease as infectious medical waste. The state Department of Health's Office of Environmental Health Services oversees how it is packed, transported and treated, so it cannot go in household trash.
Medical Examiner and Police Scene Release for Kanawha County
West Virginia runs a statewide system. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner oversees death investigations in every county, working with county medical examiners. Cleanup starts after police or the medical examiner release the scene.
Call (888) 351-0904Private help, day or night
Service area
Crime Scene Cleanup Service Area Across Greater Charleston
Crime Scene Cleanup is available across the city and the surrounding communities.
Crime Scene Cleanup Across Greater Charleston Communities
Charleston Neighborhood Crime Scene Cleanup
Call (888) 351-0904No forms. Just call.
Related services
Related Biohazard Cleanup Services in Charleston, WV
Suicide Cleanup
Families are spared from facing the scene through discreet and considerate suicide cleanup.
See suicide cleanup
Trauma Scene Cleanup
Trauma scene cleanup is needed after violent events, accidents and injuries.
See trauma scene cleanup
Blood Cleanup
Carpet, solid floors, walls and furnishings receive blood cleanup that includes safe disposal.
See blood cleanup
Unattended Death Cleanup
When a death remains undiscovered for days, cleanup addresses decomposition and controls odors.
See unattended death cleanup
Death Odor Removal
Death odor removal at the source with air scrubbers, hydroxyl and ozone treatment.
See death odor removal
Hoarding Cleanup
Deep cleaning, respectful sorting and removal are all part of hoarding cleanup.
See hoarding cleanup
Raw Sewage Cleanup
Raw sewage cleanup of Category 3 black water, with disinfection and drying.
See raw sewage cleanupCall (888) 351-0904Talk it through with a cleanup specialist
Questions
Helpful Crime Scene Cleanup Answers to Frequently Asked Questions in Charleston
Will homeowners insurance cover crime scene cleanup in West Virginia?
Your homeowners or renters policy terms determine coverage, and you may have a deductible. Contact the insurance company to report what happened and check coverage for biohazard cleanup.
Will the police clean crime scenes?
No. Law enforcement releases the scene once evidence is collected. Cleanup is the responsibility of the property owner or the person in charge of the property.
Is fingerprint dust cleaned from the property?
Affirmative. Chemical remnants and fingerprint dust are addressed through forensic cleaning. First comes dry collection, followed by the proper product for the material to keep powder from leaving stains.
How long does it take to clean a crime scene?
Crews typically spend one to three days working at the property. Light cleanup can finish in a day, but heavy contamination with subfloor removal can extend to five days.
Who arranges cleaning after police release a crime scene?
The medical examiner, detectives and police gather evidence and take the deceased away, but cleanup is not their role. The property owner, the family or the landlord arranges crime scene cleanup, usually with professional crime scene cleaners.
Must I stay at the property during crime scene cleanup?
Someone needs to give access and agree the scope at the start. Once that is complete, families often leave while technicians perform the cleanup.
How is crime scene cleanup cost determined in Charleston?
Published guides say most home crime scene cleaning costs range from $1,500 through $7,500. Small surface work can cost less, but large scenes or several affected rooms may rise beyond $10,000.
Can dry blood still pose a biohazard?
Viruses including hepatitis B may remain viable for days in dry blood left on a surface. Take equal care with blood whether fresh or dried.
Which crime scene cleaning steps do companies use?
The cleaning process for cleaning crime scenes includes isolation, soaked material removal, surface cleaning and disinfection, odor control and medical waste disposal.
What is crime scene clean up called?
Common names include forensic cleaning, biohazard remediation, crime scene cleanup, trauma cleanup and forensic clean up. The people who do it are called crime scene cleaners or forensic cleaners.
Speak With a Crime Scene Cleanup Specialist in Kanawha County Now
Discreet, respectful crime scene cleanup, 24 hours a day, with crews in unmarked vehicles.