Crime Scene Cleanup Services in Oregon
For respectful and thorough Crime Scene Cleanup services, Olimpia Biohazard and Restoration serves Portland, Corvallis, Lake Oswego, Gresham, Hillsboro, Beaverton, St. Johns, The Dalles and surrounding areas by providing professional biohazard remediation and disinfection to safely restore properties.
What is Professional Crime Scene Cleanup, and Why is it Essential in Oregon?
A crime scene, whether it involves a violent act, accidental death, or unattended death, often leaves behind more than just police tape. There may be blood, bodily fluids, tear gas residue, fingerprint dust, and other biohazards that pose significant health risks.
It’s vital to understand that the police and forensic teams are responsible for gathering evidence—not for cleaning the scene. Once law enforcement releases the property, the responsibility for cleanup falls to the property owner or family. Our specialized, certified technicians use medical-grade disinfectants and follow strict protocols to completely eliminate all biological hazards, ensuring the area is safe and habitable again.
Why You Should Never Attempt Crime Scene Cleanup Yourself
The dangers associated with cleaning up a crime scene are often invisible. Blood and bodily fluids can harbor dangerous pathogens, including Hepatitis B & C, HIV, and MRSA. Improper cleanup and disposal of these materials can lead to infection and cause long-term contamination of the property.
The Risks of DIY Cleanup:
- Pathogen Exposure: Direct contact with blood or fluids puts you at risk of contracting serious bloodborne diseases.
- Incomplete Remediation: Biological matter can seep into porous surfaces (wood, drywall, carpet padding), leaving behind odors and lingering contamination that traditional cleaning cannot eliminate.
- Legal & Ethical Issues: Biohazardous waste must be handled, transported, and disposed of according to strict federal and state regulations. Non-compliance can result in heavy fines.
- Emotional Trauma: The experience of cleaning up a traumatic scene can cause significant emotional distress and trauma.
Olimpia Biohazard and Restoration is trained to handle the hazards and the emotions with professionalism and discretion, ensuring both safety and peace of mind across Oregon. future buyers—let our experts ensure the air and surfaces are safe.
What is the Crime Scene Cleanup Process?
As leading experts in Crime Scene Cleanup, Olimpia Biohazard and Restoration adheres to OSHA and state health regulations for every project in Portland, Corvallis, Lake Oswego, Gresham, Hillsboro, Beaverton, St. Johns, The Dalles, and surrounding areas. Our process is structured and meticulous:
Safety & Assessment: We first secure the area, implement necessary safety controls, and perform a comprehensive assessment of the damage and extent of the biohazard contamination.
Containment: We use specialized equipment and plastic sheeting to create a containment zone, preventing contaminants from spreading to unaffected areas of the property.
Biohazard Removal: Our technicians, wearing full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), safely remove all visible traces of blood, bodily fluids, tissue, and contaminated structural materials.
Cleaning & Disinfection: The affected area is treated with powerful, hospital-grade, EPA-registered disinfectants and specialized cleaning agents to kill pathogens and neutralize biological matter.
Deodorization: We use advanced techniques, such as ozone generators and thermal fogging, to thoroughly remove lingering odors associated with biological decomposition or chemical residue (like tear gas).
Disposal & Final Clearance: All biohazardous waste is packaged and transported by licensed haulers for proper disposal at a regulated facility, and the area is confirmed to be clean and safe.
Services We Provide
Our team handles every aspect of the remediation process with the highest level of sensitivity and professionalism. We do not just “clean”; we remediate and restore the environment to a strictly safe condition.
- Homicide & Suicide Cleanup: We safely remove all biological traces, including blood and bodily fluids, from the scene of violent crimes or suicides, ensuring the property is safe for return.
- Unattended Death Remediation: When a death goes undiscovered for days or weeks, decomposition presents severe biohazards. We specialize in neutralizing odors and removing compromised structural materials (flooring, subfloors) affected by decomposition.
- Blood & Bodily Fluid Removal: We use hospital-grade disinfectants and EPA-Registered chemicals to clean and sanitize areas affected by blood spills, accidents, or injury.
- Vehicle Biohazard Cleanup: If a crime or tragic event occurs inside a vehicle, we provide specialized detailing and decontamination to restore the car’s interior or prepare it for salvage.
- Odor Neutralization: We use industrial ozone generators and hydroxyl technology to permanently eliminate airborne pathogens and lingering odors rather than just masking them.
- Biohazard Waste Disposal: We handle the legal transport and disposal of all “red bag” medical waste and contaminated porous materials (like carpet or drywall) at licensed Oregon disposal facilities in compliance with OSHA and state regulations.
- Insurance & Victim Assistance Support: We assist with the claims process, working directly with your insurance provider or the Oregon Crime Victims’ Compensation Program to help cover costs.
Does Insurance Cover Crime Scene Cleanup Costs?
Property owners frequently ask if they will have to cover the entire cost for Crime Scene Cleanup. The good news is that, typically, yes, insurance covers it.
Most standard homeowner’s insurance policies or commercial property insurance policies provide coverage for biohazard remediation under the general clause for sudden and accidental damage.
How We Help with Insurance:
- Direct Billing: We often bill the insurance company directly, minimizing your out-of-pocket stress.
- Documentation: We prepare detailed, itemized documentation and reports required by adjusters to process your claim efficiently.
If the death was a homicide, certain state programs, like the Oregon Crime Victim’s Compensation Program, may also offer financial assistance to cover cleanup costs. We can help guide you on how to apply for this potential aid.
Is it safe for me to clean it myself?
No. Crime scenes often contain bloodborne pathogens (like HIV, Hepatitis B, and C) and bacteria that can survive on surfaces for days or weeks. Standard household cleaning products are not sufficient to kill these pathogens. Our technicians use OSHA-compliant personal protective equipment (PPE) and specialized chemicals to ensure the area is truly decontaminated.
Do I need to be present while you work?
No, you do not need to be present. In fact, for your emotional well-being and safety, we often recommend that families stay elsewhere while we work. We can arrange access via a lockbox or key exchange and keep you updated by phone.
Who pays for crime scene cleanup in Oregon?
In most cases, homeowners’ insurance covers the cost of cleaning up blood and biohazards within a residence. If insurance is not available or coverage is denied, the Oregon Crime Victims’ Compensation Program (CVCP) may offer financial assistance. Eligible victims can receive up to $2,500 specifically for crime scene cleanup expenses.
Do the police clean the scene after an investigation?
No. Law enforcement and coroners release the scene once their investigation is complete, but they do not clean it. The responsibility for cleaning and sanitizing the property falls to the property owner.
How do I qualify for the Oregon Crime Victims’ Compensation Program?
To be eligible for CVCP assistance, the crime generally must be reported to law enforcement within 72 hours, and you must apply for compensation within one year of the crime. The program is a “payer of last resort,” meaning it kicks in after insurance or other sources have been used. You can apply for compensation here.


