Biohazard Response

Learning More: Domestic Violence & Crime-Scene Cleaning

The dedicated team at Biohazard Response is specially trained to help friends and family members cope after a violent crime, suicide, or unattended death. When you experience a traumatic situation, you deserve to have immediate help and compassionate care. Click on the links below to learn more about domestic violence and crime scene cleaning. 

• Find out how to help a friend who is being abused with this helpful guide from the U.S. Department of Health.
• The Mayo Clinic advises family members and friends on how to identify patterns of domestic violence and seek help in this article.
• Find out about the processes of dying and decomposition with this informative guide.
• You can learn more about suicide prevention in this article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Biohazard Response has spent more than 23 years helping Orlando clients deal with blood and biohazard cleanup, and it is our mission to protect and care. To learn more about our crime scene, hoarding, and bio-medical waste cleanup, call us at (407) 792-4096. 

5 Stages of the Decomposition Process

It may be unpleasant to consider, but after death, the human body goes through five stages of decomposition. Of course, the decomposition process is the same whether death is due to suicide, old age, or a violent homicide. Keep reading for a look at how the body decomposes. 

Initial Decay

When the heart stops beating, body temperature immediately drops in a phenomenon known as rigor mortis. Each hour after death, this chill will cool the body about one and a half degrees Fahrenheit until it reaches room temperature. At the same time, the blood begins to settle, creating a condition known as lividity. Finally, rigor mortis, or stiffness, sets in.

Putrefaction

Putrefaction occurs when the body’s naturally occurring bacteria and enzymes begin to break down their host. As these organisms work their way through the body, they begin to give off a distinctive odor. Various chemical processes also cause bloating.

Black Putrefaction

When advanced decay sets in, the skin changes to a dark color as the abdomen ruptures, body bloat increases, and the eyes bulge. This stage generally lasts between 10 and 20 days after death and culminates when the flesh takes on a creamy texture and the bones become visible.

Fermentation

During fermentation, most bad odors disappear as the body begins to dry and preserve itself. The presence of butyric acid gives the skin a waxy feel, and tissues begin to dissipate.

Dry Decay

When all the organs and tissue have disappeared, the body’s skeleton is ultimately revealed. This is the longest of all the stages and can take anywhere from two weeks to two years, depending on the body’s location and the surrounding climate.

Biohazard Response is proud to offer Orlando residents an unparalleled range of cleanup services and powerful community resources. If you need biohazard material or blood removal services, our team can be on the scene immediately. Call us at (407) 792-4096 to find out how we can help you avoid the health risks that come with trying to clean up yourself. 

Watch: Children of Hoarders Discuss Their Experiences

There may be up to 10 million hoarders in the United States today. Hoarding can take a significant toll on the lives of everyone in the household. As you will learn in this video, cleaning up after years of relentless, obsessive stockpiling can be a difficult process.

For years, two teenage girls tried to keep their mother’s hoarding a secret, even as several feet of junk piled up in their home. Their daily lives have been defined by an ever-present mess, and they struggle to even pick clothes for school and do their homework. The kitchen is so cluttered by hoarding that they must microwave meals in the garage.

Hoarding can cause trash to pile up and may even lead to rodent infestation and droppings. If you need help cleaning up your home, call Orlando’s Biohazard Response today at (407) 792-4096. Our efficient and caring staff also handles cleaning after a homicide, suicide, or death. 

What to Do When Suspecting a Friend or Loved One is at Risk for Domestic Violence

Are you concerned that a friend or family member may be involved in an abusive relationship? Many victims of domestic violence feel alone and confused, and some victims are not sure to whom they should turn during this difficult time. If there has already been an incident, call a compassionate and experienced trauma team. Here is how you can help and support a loved one who may be at risk for domestic violence.

Show Support

If your loved one is at risk, approach the person at a time that is safe and confidential to express your concerns. Use a calm, soothing tone, and never accuse or judge his or her choices. Communicate that you care, that the abuse is not his or her fault, and take time to listen. During times of abuse, many victims feel understandably depressed and frightened. Reassure your loved one and provide positive reinforcement.

Be Patient

Admitting to abuse is the first step. Don’t expect a person who is at risk for domestic violence to make immediate decisions or even leave the abuser. Rather than become frustrated with the situation, it is vital to stay patient and to continue to offer support and encouragement. If you have immediate concerns for the individual’s safety, call the police.

Provide Resources

Many resources are available for domestic violence abusers, victims, and relatives. Be sure your loved one has the number of a hotline if she needs someone to talk to and provide her with information about local meetings that she might want to attend. Many men and women learn a great deal about the dynamics of domestic abuse and find comfort in knowing that other people are experiencing the same feelings.

Biohazard Response is committed to doing all that we can to prevent domestic violence and homicides in the Orlando community. If you need help after a death, our emergency first responders take over the process of death cleanup and trauma scene management. To learn more, call us at (407) 792-4096. 

How Crime-Scene Cleanups Work

Violent crimes and suicides often leave a grisly, messy scene in their wake. Although the coroner will remove the dead body, it is generally the responsibility of the residents to clean up after the crime. However, since crime scenes can present biohazards, it is best to leave death cleanup to professionals. Professional crime scene cleaners take precautionary measures to ensure complete sterilization of the area and their own safety.

Equipment

Crime scene cleaners wear special gear to protect themselves from potentially hazardous material. They wear one-time-use suits, gloves, breathing masks, and boots that offer protection from chemical spills. Crime scene cleaners also use special equipment, such as heavy-duty biohazard waste containers to dispose of hazardous material, along with cleaning supplies like hospital-grade disinfectants. They also use razor blades to cut out damaged areas of carpet. Some of their equipment addresses foul odors, such as ozone machines and industrial-strength deodorizers.

Biohazard Material

A professional crime scene cleaner will treat every material as if it was carrying blood-borne pathogens and infectious diseases. This includes blood, other bodily fluids, brain matter, etc. Every object that has these materials on it must be scrubbed clean and scrupulously disinfected. Some objects must be discarded, such as upholstery and carpet that has been soaked in blood. If maggots are present at the scene, the cleaning specialists must eliminate every single one.

Disposal

After disinfecting the entire area, the cleaning specialists must dispose of the biohazard material properly. Crime scene cleaners have a special permit that allows them to transport hazardous material. Then, they must have it burned in a medical waste incinerator. Proper cleanup and disposal are essential to making a space livable again.

The cleaning specialists at Biohazard Response in Orlando, Florida have more than 23 years of experience in crime scene cleanup. Our team is fully licensed and insured. Contact us at (407) 792-4096 to discuss your homicide or suicide cleanup needs.