Suicide Scene Cleanup: What to Know After a Tragedy

First Steps After a Suicide

Avoid Entering the Scene

If a suicide has occurred, do not enter or disturb the area. Blood and other bodily fluids can carry dangerous pathogens such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and other biohazards. It’s crucial to keep the space sealed off until a licensed biohazard remediation team arrives.

Notify Authorities & Engage the Coroner or Medical Examiner

Local law enforcement and the county coroner or medical examiner must take jurisdiction of the scene. These professionals ensure that any necessary investigations are properly conducted and documented. To better understand how these offices operate across Washington State, you can review the Washington State Medical Examiners and Coroners guide (PDF).

Once the authorities have completed their work and officially released the scene, our team is ready to step in and begin professional cleanup and decontamination.

What Professional Suicide Cleanup Involves

At American Bio Management, we follow all OSHA and EPA regulations regarding trauma and biohazard cleanup. Our certified technicians are extensively trained in the handling of bloodborne pathogens, hazardous materials, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Our goal is to restore the scene to a safe, livable condition—while offering compassion and professionalism throughout the process.

On-Site Assessment

Every cleanup begins with a thorough site inspection and risk assessment. Our technicians evaluate the extent of contamination, identify all affected zones, and develop a remediation plan tailored to the scene. Key areas of focus include:

• Primary impact zones where blood loss or other biological material is visible
• Secondary contamination zones where fluids may have spread through foot traffic, air droplets, or seepage
• Hidden contamination in structural components like flooring, HVAC vents, or wall cavities

Advanced tools such as ATP (adenosine triphosphate) monitoring may be used to detect invisible biological residues.

Removal of Contaminated Materials

Items that have absorbed or come into direct contact with blood or bodily fluids may need to be removed and treated as regulated medical waste. This includes:

• Carpets and carpet padding
• Mattresses and bedding
• Upholstered furniture
• Curtains, linens, and personal items

Deep Cleaning and Disinfection

Once contaminated materials are removed, we treat all salvageable surfaces with hospital-grade disinfectants, EPA-registered antimicrobials, and specialized enzyme cleaners. This includes:

• Manual scrubbing of walls, floors, ceilings, and fixtures
• Use of fogging systems or UV light where appropriate
• Multiple cleaning passes to ensure full neutralization of pathogens

We also deodorize the space using HEPA-filtered air scrubbers and ozone or hydroxyl generators.

Structural Remediation

In some cases, biofluids may have soaked into the structure of the property—making surface cleaning insufficient. We perform controlled demolition to remove compromised materials such as:

• Drywall
• Baseboards
• Subflooring
• Insulation

We then treat exposed structural elements with antimicrobial agents or sealants to prevent long-term odor issues and mold growth.

Compassionate, Professional Help When You Need It Most

Suicide cleanup is not only technically complex—it’s emotionally overwhelming. That’s why families, landlords, and businesses across Washington trust American Bio Management for trauma scene remediation. We provide respectful, discreet, and prompt service to help you move forward in the safest way possible.We are available 24/7 to help clients in Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Bellevue, Everett, Spokane, Vancouver, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, and communities throughout Washington State. Learn more about our suicide cleanup services or contact us anytime for discreet, immediate assistance.

Additional Support and Resources

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Dial 988
• Washington State Suicide Prevention Plan (PDF)
• Washington State Department of Health – Suicide Prevention
• Washington State Medical Examiners and Coroners (PDF)