What to Do After a Crime Scene: A Step-by-Step Guide for Michigan Families and Property Owners
Experiencing a violent crime at your home or property is one of the most traumatic events a person can go through. In the aftermath, you're grieving, in shock — and facing a long list of decisions that need to be made quickly, often with no one to guide you.
This guide is designed to walk Michigan families and property owners through every step of the process after a crime scene, from the moment law enforcement arrives to the final insurance payment.
Step 1: Don't Enter or Touch Anything Until Law Enforcement Clears the Scene
This is the most important rule. A crime scene is an active evidence environment. Do not:
- Enter the scene before law enforcement gives you permission
- Move, touch, or disturb any objects
- Attempt to clean anything yourself
- Allow family members or bystanders to enter
Tampering with a crime scene — even unintentionally — can compromise a criminal investigation and create legal problems for you. Wait for explicit clearance from the investigating officers or detectives.
When Is a Scene "Released"?
Law enforcement will formally release the scene once their investigation is complete. This may take a few hours or several days depending on the severity and complexity of the crime. You'll receive verbal and/or written notification that the scene is released and the property is back in your control.
Once the scene is released, the cleanup is your responsibility — not the government's, not law enforcement's.
Step 2: Call a Professional Biohazard Cleanup Company Immediately
As soon as law enforcement releases the scene, contact a licensed, OSHA-certified biohazard remediation company. Do not attempt to clean the scene yourself.
Why DIY Cleanup Is Dangerous
Blood, bodily fluids, and tissue are classified as biohazardous materials under OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.1030). They can contain:
- HIV
- Hepatitis B and C
- MRSA
- C. difficile
- Dozens of other bloodborne and airborne pathogens
Regular cleaning products — bleach, disinfectant sprays, household cleaners — do not adequately decontaminate biohazardous materials. You need:
- OSHA-certified technicians with proper PPE (personal protective equipment)
- EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants
- Specialized equipment for structural decontamination
- Proper biohazardous waste disposal in compliance with Michigan state law
What Happens If You Wait?
Biological contamination degrades rapidly, especially in Michigan's warm summer months. Within 24–48 hours:
- Bloodborne pathogens can penetrate porous surfaces (wood, drywall, carpet subfloor)
- Decomposition odors begin to saturate structural materials
- Mold can begin growing in blood-soaked areas
- Contamination spreads beyond the visible area
The longer you wait, the more extensive — and expensive — the remediation becomes. Call immediately.
911 Bio Clean responds within 1–2 hours, 24/7, throughout Northern Michigan: (810) 250-3295
Step 3: Call Your Insurance Company
Most homeowners and renters insurance policies cover crime scene and biohazard cleanup under property damage provisions. Do this as soon as possible.
What to Tell Your Insurance Company
- The date and nature of the incident
- That law enforcement has released the scene
- That you need biohazard remediation
- The name of the cleanup company you're using (or ask them to recommend one)
Will Insurance Really Cover It?
In most cases — yes. Standard Michigan homeowners insurance covers:
- Crime scene cleanup
- Trauma and suicide cleanup
- Decomposition cleanup
- Structural decontamination and restoration
911 Bio Clean works directly with your insurance company. We open the claim, communicate with your adjuster, document the damage, and bill them directly. Most of our clients in Michigan pay little to nothing out of pocket.
What If You Don't Have Insurance?
If you're uninsured or underinsured, don't panic. Talk to your cleanup company about payment plans and financing options. 911 Bio Clean offers flexible financing — the application takes about a minute and won't impact your credit score.
Additionally, if the crime was committed by an identifiable offender, the Michigan Crime Victim Services Commission may provide financial assistance for cleanup and related costs.
Step 4: Document Everything
Before cleanup begins, document the extent of the damage for insurance and legal purposes.
- Photograph and video the affected areas from multiple angles
- Keep all law enforcement reports, incident numbers, and case documentation
- Record all communications with insurance adjusters, law enforcement, and contractors
- Save all invoices and receipts for any related expenses
A reputable cleanup company like 911 Bio Clean will also provide detailed written documentation of everything remediated, which is required by most insurance companies.
Step 5: Understand the Cleanup Process
Here's what professional crime scene cleanup actually involves, so you know what to expect:
Assessment
Technicians perform a thorough assessment of all affected areas — including areas you may not have noticed, such as:
- Adjacent rooms (blood spatter travels farther than expected)
- HVAC systems
- Wall cavities and subfloor
- Ceiling materials in lower floors
Containment
The affected area is contained using plastic sheeting and negative air pressure to prevent cross-contamination to unaffected parts of the property.
Removal
All biohazardous materials are removed — including:
- Blood-soaked flooring, carpet, and padding
- Contaminated drywall
- Upholstered furniture that cannot be fully decontaminated
- Personal items that are unsalvageable
Decontamination
All structural surfaces are treated with EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants. Multiple rounds of treatment are standard for serious contamination.
Odor Elimination
Industrial hydroxyl generators and/or ozone treatment eliminate biological odors at the molecular level — not just masking them.
Restoration
Depending on the extent of damage, structural restoration may follow — including drywall replacement, flooring installation, and painting.
Final Clearance Testing
A reputable company will verify that all contamination has been addressed before releasing the property back to you.
Step 6: Protect Yourself and Your Family Emotionally
Crime scenes are traumatic. The physical cleanup can be handled by professionals — but the emotional aftermath requires care too.
Resources Available to Michigan Families
Michigan Victim Assistance Programs: Every Michigan county has a victim assistance coordinator. Contact your county prosecutor's office for local resources.
National Resources:
- Crime Victims Center: 1-800-FYI-CALL (1-800-394-2255)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
- Suicide Loss Survivors: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention — afsp.org
- SAMHSA National Helpline (mental health): 1-800-662-4357
Don't try to handle the emotional weight of this alone. These resources exist for exactly this situation.
Step 7: Secure the Property
After law enforcement releases the scene and before cleanup is complete, make sure the property is physically secured:
- Change locks if there's any possibility the perpetrator had access
- Board up broken windows or doors
- Notify your homeowners insurance of any additional property security measures you're taking
- If it's a rental property, notify your property management company
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for cleaning up after a crime in Michigan?
In Michigan, the property owner or family is responsible for crime scene cleanup — not local government, law enforcement, or the state. Once law enforcement releases the scene, cleanup responsibility falls to whoever owns or manages the property.
How long does crime scene cleanup take?
Most residential crime scene cleanups in Northern Michigan take 4–8 hours. Larger scenes or those involving decomposition can take 1–3 days. Your cleanup company will give you a time estimate after their initial assessment.
Can I be present during cleanup?
Yes, but it's not required and often not recommended, particularly for close family members. Most clients choose to stay elsewhere while the work is being done. Your cleanup company can call you when the job is complete.
Will I be able to return to my home after cleanup?
Yes. A professional cleanup restores the property to a safe, habitable condition. All biohazardous materials are removed, surfaces are fully decontaminated, and odors are eliminated. The property will be safe to occupy.
Does crime scene cleanup show up on a property record in Michigan?
The cleanup itself does not appear on public records. However, if the incident was significant enough to involve law enforcement reports, those records may be accessible. A clean, fully remediated property has no ongoing health or safety concerns.
911 Bio Clean Is Here for You — 24/7
If you're dealing with the aftermath of a crime at your property in Northern Michigan, you don't have to figure this out alone.
911 Bio Clean handles everything:
✓ Immediate 1–2 hour response throughout Northern Michigan
✓ Full OSHA-certified biohazard remediation
✓ Direct insurance billing — most clients pay nothing out of pocket
✓ Discreet unmarked vehicles
✓ Compassionate, professional team
✓ Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
We serve Gaylord, Petoskey, Traverse City, Cheboygan, Alpena, Rogers City, Bay City, Midland, Saginaw, Oscoda, Tawas City, Harrisville, and all of Northern Michigan.
Call us now: (810) 250-3295
Help is on the way.
