Trauma & Crime Scene Cleanup in Lincoln, NE
After the scene is released, the cleanup falls to the family.
The short answer
Trauma and crime scene cleanup is the decontamination of a property after a violent event, an accident or a suicide. Law enforcement secures and investigates the scene, then releases it, and at that point cleaning becomes the responsibility of the property owner or the family rather than any public agency. The work is done under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, and contaminated material leaves through regulated medical waste disposal.
What actually gets removed
More than is usually visible. Fluids travel along seams and under flooring, so carpet and pad normally come out, and subfloor is often cut back to clean material. Drywall is removed to above the contamination line. Upholstered furniture and mattresses are rarely salvageable. Hard non-porous surfaces such as sealed tile, metal and finished concrete can generally be decontaminated and kept, which is why a proper assessment matters before anything is discarded.
Paying for it
Many homeowner policies cover trauma cleanup, and contractors in this field are used to billing carriers directly rather than asking a family to pay upfront and claim it back. Where a crime is involved, the Nebraska Crime Victim Reparations Program may assist with certain costs for victims and their families. Ask about both when you call, because it changes what you are actually exposed to.
Trauma & Crime Scene Cleanup in Lincoln, NE
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+1 (402) 783-8866Licensed & insured contractors · Lincoln & Lancaster County
Frequently asked questions
Do the police clean up afterwards?
No. Law enforcement, paramedics and the coroner investigate and then release the scene. Cleaning is not part of their role and no public agency performs it. This surprises almost everyone who has not been through it before.
How soon after release can cleanup start?
As soon as the property is released and you are ready. There is no requirement to wait. Contractors doing this work are used to dealing with families in shock and will work around what you need, including doing the work while you are elsewhere.
Can I be present, or should I stay away?
That is entirely your choice and there is no wrong answer. Many people prefer not to be there. If there are belongings you want recovered or kept, say so before work begins, because once porous material is removed it cannot be brought back.
Part of Biohazard Cleanup
Trauma, unattended death and hoarding, handled safely and discreetly.
- Unattended Death Cleanup : Decomposition reaches further than the room it happened in.
- Hoarding Cleanup : Usually a biohazard job rather than a cleanout, and rarely just clutter.
Available across the Lincoln area
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+1 (402) 783-8866Licensed & insured contractors · Lincoln & Lancaster County