Homicide, assault, break-in
Crime scene cleanup in Lexington
When police finish their work, the scene is handed back to the family as it is. A cleanup company takes it from there, so you do not have to.
When cleanup can begin
Police and, after a death, the coroner decide when the scene is released. Evidence may still be collected for a day or more. Ask the detective or officer in charge when the family can have the home back, and whether anything else will be removed.
Until then, do not wipe, wash or throw anything away. Even small things can matter to the investigation, and cleaning early can make the later work harder.
What the cleanup usually covers
- Removing blood and other body fluids from floors, walls, furniture and fixtures.
- Taking out carpet, padding, drywall or subfloor that fluids have soaked into.
- Cleaning residue left by police, such as fingerprint powder.
- Disinfecting the area and the surfaces around it.
- Bagging, sealing and removing the waste as medical waste.
- Securing a broken door or window for the night, if the company offers it.
Kentucky’s crime victim fund
Kentucky law lets the Crime Victims Compensation Board pay for crime scene cleanup done within 30 days of the crime, when the crime was committed at the victim’s primary residence or business (KRS 49.370). The board can pay providers directly or reimburse you, and a conviction is not required (board brochure).
The fund pays after other sources such as insurance, so keep every invoice and the police report number. Ask the cleanup company on the first call whether it will send its bill to the board. The who pays guide has the details.
Questions about crime scene cleanup
Do police clean up after a crime?
No. Police collect evidence and then release the property. Cleaning is left to the owner, the family or whoever they hire.
How long does it take?
It depends on how far fluids have spread and how much has to be removed. The company can give you an idea once it has seen the room or photos of it.
What drives the price?
The size of the affected area, how many materials must be cut out and replaced, how much waste has to be disposed of, and whether the work has to happen at night or over a weekend.