The idea of a crime scene in your own home can feel overwhelming and surreal. Yet, if you find yourself in such an unsettling situation, knowing what to do—and what not to do—can make a significant difference. Handling a crime scene in your home is not just about keeping your emotions in check; it’s about prioritizing safety, preserving evidence, and ensuring the professionals have what they need to do their job.
Here, we’ll walk you through the essential dos and don’ts to help you approach this sensitive situation responsibly while emphasizing the importance of seeking professional help.
Dos When You Handle a Crime Scene in Your Home
1. Prioritize Your Safety
Your safety comes first. If the situation is still unfolding or if you're unsure whether the threat has been neutralized, leave the premises immediately. Call 911 and stay at a safe distance until law enforcement arrives.
Leaving the scene protects not just your safety but also helps ensure you don’t unintentionally disturb any evidence. This precaution is necessary, as even well-meaning actions—like walking around the area—could compromise the investigation.
2. Report the Incident to Authorities Immediately
Once you’re in a safe place, contact the police right away. Explain the situation as clearly as possible and provide any information you have. Their immediate involvement is critical in protecting evidence, understanding what happened, and ensuring justice is served.
3. Limit Access to the Scene
Once law enforcement and emergency responders have been contacted, do everything you can to preserve the integrity of the area. That means keeping family members, friends, or neighbors away from the crime scene. More foot traffic increases the likelihood of contamination, which could make it harder to gather evidence or reconstruct the sequence of events.
A good rule of thumb is to treat the space as if it’s under an invisible chain of custody from the moment you realize something has happened.
4. Document What You Notice
Without physically touching or altering anything, take note of key observations. For example:
- Is a window broken?
- Were any items misplaced or damaged?
- Do you notice anything unusual that stands out?
This type of information can be critical during investigations and could help jog your memory later when asked for details.
5. Contact Professionals for Cleanup
Once law enforcement and investigators have finished their work, you’re left with the aftermath—which can be emotionally and physically taxing. Blood, bodily fluids, and other biohazards pose serious health risks if not handled properly. Professional crime scene cleaners, like Bio-One of Marion County, specialize in safely and thoroughly restoring such spaces. With the right tools and training, they can ensure the area is free of contamination and ready for you to reclaim as your home.
External resources like OSHA guidelines on biohazard cleanup can highlight the risks involved and why this isn’t a DIY job.
Don’ts When You Handle a Crime Scene in Your Home
1. Don’t Touch or Move Anything
Your instinct might be to clean up or rearrange items, but fight the urge. Every object in the crime scene could hold valuable forensic evidence, from fingerprints to fibers and even trace amounts of DNA. Even seemingly small adjustments—like picking up a fallen item or closing a door—can disrupt the evidence chain.
2. Don’t Try to Clean It Yourself
It’s natural to want to restore normalcy as quickly as possible, but handling a crime scene cleanup is best left to professionals. Not only can blood and bodily fluids transmit diseases like Hepatitis B or HIV, but improper cleaning techniques can also spread contaminants without fully removing them.
Instead of putting yourself at risk, allow crime scene cleaning experts to step in. They have specialized training, industrial-grade cleaning agents, and protective equipment to ensure the job is done safely.
3. Don’t Share Specific Details Publicly
While it may be tempting to talk about what happened with neighbors or post on social media, discretion is key. Sharing too much information could compromise an investigation or create unnecessary confusion. Stick to discussing details only with trusted law enforcement officials or legal representatives.
4. Don’t Assume the Investigation is Over Once the Police Leave
Even after the initial police work, investigations can remain ongoing. Evidence might need further analysis, or authorities might return with follow-up questions. While waiting for clearance from law enforcement, continue to limit access to the area and avoid making any changes.
5. Don’t Ignore the Emotional Toll
A crime scene in your home is a traumatic experience. Check in with yourself, your family, and anyone else affected by the event. It’s okay to seek therapy or counseling to process the emotions involved. Local support services or national helplines can connect you with trained counselors who understand trauma.
Why Professional Help Matters
Handling a crime scene is overwhelming, both emotionally and physically. Whether it’s figuring out the next steps with police or cleaning up afterward, the process can leave you feeling drained.
That’s where professionals can make a difference. Companies like Bio-One of Marion County specialize in compassionate, discreet, and effective cleanup services. Hiring experts to handle a crime scene in your home allows you to focus on rebuilding and recovering without risking your health or tampering with evidence.
Their highly trained teams can handle:
- Removal of blood and biohazards
- Odor elimination and sanitation
- Decontamination of affected areas
This support ensures peace of mind, knowing the space has been restored safely and thoroughly.
Bio-One is Ready to Help.
A crime scene in your home is an experience no one should have to face, but knowing how to handle it can help you regain control in an otherwise chaotic moment. By prioritizing safety, avoiding common mistakes, and calling in professionals when necessary, you can ensure that the situation is dealt with responsibly.
If you or a loved one needs help after a traumatic event, don’t wait to reach out. With a quick visit to Bio-One of Marion County, you can learn more about how they can support you through this difficult time. Remember, you don’t have to face this alone. Help is just a call away.
Bio-One specializes in blood and bodily fluids, decomposition/undiscovered death, crime scene, suicide cleanup, tear gas, feces/urine, sewage backups, and odor removal. Helping people get their lives back in order is our #1 priority.
Bio-One of Marion County is here to help you 24/7, 365 days a year! Call (317) 499-0614, and you'll speak directly to one of us when you call; there is never an answering service. We'll treat you like a person with the compassion and respect that you deserve.
