Death Decontamination | Biotrauma Decontaminates the Death Scenes

Tuesday March 31, 2009 - In the aftermath of an unattended death or a death resulting from violence or accident, a host of challenges emerge. The shock of dealing with sudden tragedy and grief forever changes the lives of those family members and friends who experience it. In addition, there is the question of who will conduct death decontamination to remove the tissue, blood and other bodily fluids from the scene.

While it may seem easier and/or more economical for family or other related persons to perform a death decontamination to clean up the area, there are a number of issues to be considered.
• Most importantly, there is a significant psychological impact on these individuals from having to deal with a tragic and unpleasant death decontamination.
• An improperly performed death decontamination can result in serious health risks for homeowners, business owners and other occupants.
• Typical cleaning agents available to the public (Lysol, bleach, etc.) will not be adequate in these situations.
• Disposal methods are carefully regulated. There are serious legal implications resulting from improper death decontamination and disposal..
• And finally, in situations involving private property, it is the property owner's responsibility to arrange death decontamination, not that of emergency responders.

The fully trained technicians employed by Biotrauma have professionally managed a wide range of situations involving death decontamination. Suicide is a terribly tragedy which can leave one of the most dramatic aftermaths. Bacteria is rampant in the aftermath of a suicide, increasing others' risk for exposure to HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases. There is often an odor problem also related to suicide, due to the leakage of gases from the body and fluids which seep into flooring. In the event of suicide, death decontamination by Biotrauma can eliminate bacterial threats, odor sources, stains and restore the environment to its original condition. Our team is always discreet in order to protect both the victim and the family.

Homicide and other violent crimes take a terrible toll on those left to handle the situation. In addition to the shock of the event and the usual tasks associated with death, loved ones are also overwhelmed by police and media. Death decontamination should not become an added burden during this time. Biotrauma's team will quietly and professionally manage homicide clean-up of both blood and bodily fluids, completing the death decontamination within a short time.

Following an unattended death, nature immediately begins the decomposition process. Blood and bodily fluids spread quickly, and potentially harmful gases are released. This results in a scene that can overwhelm all the senses, both physical and emotional. A thorough death decontamination by Biotrauma will remove all traces of the incident and sterilize every area, preventing future health hazards.

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